The National Institute of Social Security (INSS) in Brazil has reportedly retained BRL 118 million from the digital bank PicPay, owned by the JBS group, over illegal charges linked to advance payments made to retirees and pensioners. The fees, which reached BRL 45—roughly 10% of the maximum amount sanctioned for these transfers—were deemed unauthorized by INSS authorities. Gilberto Waller Júnior, the head of INSS, confirmed the detainment and explained that new measures were taken after finding discrepancies in fee collections.

Initially, the Meu INSS Vale+ program was launched in late 2024, allowing pensioners access to an advance of BRL 150 with repayments made in the following month, free of interest and fees. This initiative was part of the Lula administration's effort to facilitate financial access for retirees but faced serious scrutiny when illegal fees were discovered. Following the alarming findings, Waller Júnior suspended the program in May 2025, signaling a crackdown on the irregularities.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by the INSS in ensuring compliance among service providers and protecting beneficiaries from exploitative practices. Waller Júnior’s statements indicate a commitment to uphold legal guidelines with no provision for interest or fee collection from these advancements. This incident exemplifies the ongoing issues of transparency and consumer rights in Brazil's financial sector, particularly regarding vulnerable populations such as retirees and pensioners.