# Law No. 3666 of November 17, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648618](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648618)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3666-of-november-17-1959

## Summary
Law No. 3666 of November 17, 1959, is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek that establishes a special pension scheme known as "Pensão Especial." This formal written document, classified as a statute, serves as the legal instrument for the "Concessão" (granting) of these specific benefits within the jurisdiction of Brazil. It remains a foundational legal text in Brazilian federal law, originally published in Rio de Janeiro and accessible through official government archives.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3666, de 17 de novembro de 1959.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3666/1959.
- **Publication Date:** November 17, 1959.
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil).
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgating President:** Juscelino Kubitschek (served as head of state at the time of enactment).
- **Legal Classification:** Statute (a formal written document creating law).
- **Main Subject Matter:** "Pensão Especial" (Special Pension) and "Concessão" (Granting/Concession).
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies exclusively to Brazil.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **LexML Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-17;3666.
- **Official Online Source:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3666.htm.
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law.
- **Reference Sources:** LexML Brazil and the Presidency of the Republic's legislative archive.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 3666/1959?**
The law was enacted to establish a framework for granting a "Special Pension" (Pensão Especial) to specific beneficiaries within Brazil. It functions as the statutory authority for the "Concessão" or official granting of these financial benefits.

**Who was the head of state when this law was approved?**
The statute was approved and promulgated on November 17, 1959, by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under the leadership of President Juscelino Kubitschek.

**Where can the official text of this law be accessed?**
The full text is available online via the official Planalto government portal at the specific URL for laws between 1950 and 1969. It is also cataloged in the LexML Brazil system under the unique identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-17;3666.

**In which language is this legislation written and where does it apply?**
The document is written in Brazilian Portuguese and applies strictly to the jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It was originally published in the capital city of Rio de Janeiro, which served as the federal capital at the time.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3666/1959 is a critical component of Brazil's social security and administrative legal history, representing a specific legislative act to provide financial support through a special pension mechanism. As a federal statute, it exemplifies the formal process by which the Brazilian government enacts rules to address specific social or administrative needs, in this case, the granting of pensions. Its existence ensures that the "Pensão Especial" has a clear, codified legal basis, allowing for consistent application and enforcement by Brazilian authorities. For legal researchers and historians, it serves as a primary source for understanding the legislative priorities and social welfare structures of the Kubitschek administration in the late 1950s. The law's continued availability in official digital archives underscores its enduring relevance as a valid part of the Brazilian legal corpus.

## Notable For
- **Specific Subject Focus:** Uniquely dedicated to the establishment of "Pensão Especial" (Special Pension) rather than general civil or criminal codes.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, a pivotal era in Brazilian modernization.
- **Unique Identifier:** Possesses a distinct LexML Brazil URI (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-17;3666) for precise digital citation.
- **Dual Legal Function:** Explicitly governs both the concept of the pension itself and the administrative act of its "Concessão" (granting).
- **Geographic Origin:** Originally published in Rio de Janeiro, reflecting the location of the federal government prior to the move to Brasília.
- **Digital Preservation:** Fully integrated into the Planalto government's digital repository for historical laws (1950–1969).

## Body

### Definition and Legal Classification
Law No. 3666 of November 17, 1959, is formally classified as a **statute**, which is a formal written document that creates law. In the context of Brazilian jurisprudence, it functions as a specific legal instrument enacted by the federal legislature and promulgated by the executive branch. It falls under the broader category of "Brazilian law" and is distinct from executive orders or by-laws, representing a primary legislative act. The document serves as the tangible manifestation of statutory law regarding the specific subject of special pensions. Its status as a statute means it is a binding rule within the Brazilian legal system, intended to be applied by courts and administrative bodies.

### Enactment and Promulgation History
The legislative process for this statute culminated on **November 17, 1959**, the date of its official publication. At the time of its creation, the capital of Brazil was **Rio de Janeiro**, where the law was published. The act was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**, with **Juscelino Kubitschek** serving as the President who promulgated the law. This places the statute within the political and administrative timeline of the late 1950s, a period characterized by significant infrastructure and social development projects in Brazil. The determination method for its validity is recorded as "promulgation," confirming its entry into force on the specified date.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The core subject matter of Law No. 3666/1959 is the **"Pensão Especial"** (Special Pension). The law is structured to address the **"Concessão"** (Granting) of these benefits, defining the conditions and authority under which they are awarded. Unlike broad constitutional amendments or general civil codes, this statute is narrowly focused on a specific welfare or administrative provision. It operates as a "legal norm" that dictates how the special pension is to be managed and distributed. The law applies exclusively to the **jurisdiction of Brazil**, ensuring that its provisions are enforceable only within the national borders of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

### Digital Identification and Accessibility
In the modern digital era, Law No. 3666/1959 is identified and accessed through specific metadata and online repositories. The **LexML Brazil** system assigns it the unique Uniform Resource Name (URN): `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-17;3666`. This identifier allows for precise citation and retrieval within legal databases. The official text is hosted on the **Planalto** government website, specifically at the URL `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3666.htm`, which archives federal laws from the 1950–1969 period. The document is cataloged in **Wikidata** with the description "Brazilian law," facilitating its discovery in global knowledge graphs.

### Linguistic and Jurisdictional Details
The language of the work is **Brazilian Portuguese**, which is the official language of the legislation and the country. The law is written in a formal legal register typical of Brazilian statutes. Its jurisdictional scope is limited to **Brazil**, meaning it does not have extraterritorial effect. The legal citation format for this text is standardized as **"Lei nº 3666/1959"**, a format used by legal professionals and scholars when referencing the statute in briefs, academic papers, or court decisions. The references for these details are drawn from authoritative sources including the LexML Brazil portal and the official legislative acts of the Presidency of the Republic.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-17;3666)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3666&ano=1959&data=17/11/1959&ato=2cbATT65UMRRVT027)