Pensioner Fights to Prove She's Alive After INSS Error

In Rio de Janeiro's Jacarezinho neighborhood, 71-year-old Avelina Maria de Jesus is embroiled in a frustrating battle with the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS). For the second time in less than a year, her pension has been suspended due to an administrative error that mistakenly flagged her as deceased. "I voted. Do dead people vote? I'm alive. How is this possible? I can't take this anymore," she stated, expressing her exasperation. The INSS initially suspended her benefits in August 2024. After legal intervention, the payments were reinstated, only to be cut off again. This time, a court order secured the payment of her arrears, but the issue persists, highlighting flaws in the INSS's systems. The case underscores the challenges faced by elderly Brazilians navigating the complexities of the social security system. Avelina's story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of bureaucratic inefficiencies.