Commentary on the Ruling Order No. 10540 of 2024: Non-attachability of Pension Benefits

The recent Order No. 10540 of April 18, 2024, by the Court of Cassation provides significant insights regarding the issue of the non-attachability of pension benefits. In a continuously evolving legal context, it is essential to understand the implications of this ruling, especially concerning pension benefits credited to a bank account and the methods of forced execution.

The Regulatory Context

The reference norm in this matter is Article 545 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which regulates the non-attachability of certain incomes, including pension benefits. However, the amendment made by Decree-Law No. 83 of 2015 has changed the game, introducing new rules for the attachability of amounts credited to bank accounts.

Pension benefits - Deposit in bank account - Non-attachability constraint of Article 545 of the Code of Civil Procedure in the version prior to the amendments made by Decree-Law No. 83 of 2015, converted with modifications into Law No. 132 of 2015 - Applicability - Exclusion - Foundation. In terms of forced execution against third parties, the pension benefits credited to the bank account and seized prior to the entry into force of Decree-Law No. 83 of 2015 (converted, with modifications, into Law No. 132 of 2015), which amended Article 545 of the Code of Civil Procedure, are subject to the ordinary regime of fungible goods according to the rules of irregular deposit, whereby the amounts deposited lose their identity as pension credits and, therefore, are not subject to the limits of attachability arising from the causes that gave rise to the credits, resulting in the application of the general principle of Article 2740 of the Civil Code.

Implications of the Ruling

The Court has established that pension benefits, if credited to a bank account and seized before the entry into force of the 2015 amendments, no longer enjoy the protection provided for pension credits. This means that:

  • The amounts credited to the account lose their identity as pension credits.
  • They are no longer subject to the originally foreseen limits of attachability.
  • The general principle of Article 2740 of the Civil Code applies instead, which allows for the attachment of assets based on their fungible nature.

Conclusions

This ruling represents an important clarification on the regulation of the non-attachability of pension benefits, particularly concerning amounts already credited to bank accounts. The consequences of such a decision can have a significant impact both for debtors, who see a decrease in the protection of their incomes, and for creditors, who can access previously protected amounts. It is, therefore, essential for all parties involved to stay informed about legislative and jurisprudential developments in this matter.

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