Brazil's Senate took the final step in the approval of a long-awaited pension reform that's the centerpiece of President Jair Bolsonaro's plans to cut government debt.
Lawmakers Wednesday gave the final go-ahead to legislation that will save public accounts about 800 billion reals ($197 billion) in a decade. They also backed an amendment benefiting employees under harsh work conditions that may reduce those savings, although its impact wasn't clear. While the government had initially forecast a fiscal impact of as much as 23 billion reals, a new law regulating access to the benefit may change that estimate.
The new retirement rules are expected to come into effect as soon as Davi Alcolumbre, as head of Congress, signs them into law over the next few days.
Brazil's real hit a session high on the news, strengthening 0.8% to 4.0520 per U.S. dollar in afternoon trading. Meanwhile, the benchmark Ibovespa stock index erased losses.
Pension reform represents the cornerstone of Mr. Bolsonaro's economic policy and the focus of his first sustained legislative drive. The bill is crucial for investors who have expressed alarm over deteriorating public finances in Latin America's largest economy. But while the legislation attacks one of the biggest culprits of Brazil's rampant budget deficits, other measures are needed to gain better control of spending.
Before Mr. Bolsonaro, four previous presidents had tried and failed to implement a broad overhaul of the country's pensions, which gobble up roughly 8.6% of gross domestic product. Still, officials were only able to rally congressional support with the backing of lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia and after making significant concessions.
The military was left out of the reform, as were states and municipalities, and plans to establish individual savings accounts were shelved. When put together, the alterations reduced the bill's projected savings from an initial target of over 1 trillion reals.
Mr. Bolsonaro has said the legislation is essential for economic growth, while his Economy Minister Paulo Guedes has said it will buoy investor confidence and help attract new investment. But there's no shortage of challenges ahead.
Brazil's public debt stands at nearly 80% of GDP, a figure that's much higher than other emerging market countries including Mexico, Chile and Indonesia. Even considering pension reform approval, that ratio won't start falling until 2023, according to government estimates.
Roughly 90% of public spending is mandated by the nation's Constitution, meaning that budget flexibility is minimal. Furthermore, Brazil's economic growth projections are hovering around just 1% for the third straight year, further hindering efforts to reduce debt.
