# Law No. 4218 of May 8, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648459](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648459)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4218-of-may-8-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4218 of May 8, 1963, is a Brazilian federal statute enacted to establish a "Special Pension" (Pensão Especial). Promulgated by President João Goulart on May 8, 1963, this formal written document serves as a specific legal instrument within the Brazilian legal system, classified as a statute under the jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 4218, de 8 de maio de 1963.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4218/1963.
- **Enactment Date:** May 8, 1963.
- **Promulgation Date:** May 8, 1963.
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil).
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies exclusively to Brazil.
- **Primary Subject:** Special Pension (Pensão Especial).
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Head of State at Enactment:** João Goulart.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília.
- **Legal Classification:** Statute (formal written document creating law).
- **LexML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-05-08;4218.
- **Official Online Source:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4218.htm.
- **Wikidata Main Subject ID:** Q105766456.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 4218 of 1963?**
The law was enacted specifically to create a "Special Pension" (Pensão Especial) within the Brazilian social security framework. It functions as a statutory mandate defining the eligibility and provisions for this specific financial benefit.

**Who signed and promulgated this legislation?**
The statute was approved and promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under the leadership of President João Goulart. The act of promulgation occurred on the same day as the publication date, May 8, 1963.

**Where can the official text of this law be accessed?**
The full text is available through the official Brazilian government portal at the Planalto website. It is also indexed in the LexML Brazil system, which provides a persistent identifier for the document.

**In what language is the law written and where does it apply?**
The document is written in Brazilian Portuguese and applies strictly to the jurisdiction of Brazil. As a federal law, it is binding throughout the national territory of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4218 of May 8, 1963, is a critical component of Brazil's mid-20th-century social legislation, representing a specific governmental commitment to providing financial support through a "Special Pension." Its significance lies in its role as a concrete manifestation of statutory law that directly impacts the welfare of specific beneficiaries within the Brazilian social security system. By establishing a dedicated pension category, the law addresses specific social needs that may not be covered by general pension statutes, ensuring targeted economic support. Furthermore, as a federal statute, it contributes to the historical record of the João Goulart administration, reflecting the legislative priorities of Brazil during a period of significant political and social transition. The law's existence ensures that the rights associated with this special pension are codified, accessible, and enforceable, reinforcing the rule of law and the state's obligation to its citizens.

## Notable For
- **Specific Subject Matter:** Uniquely identified by its focus on the "Special Pension" (Pensão Especial), distinguishing it from general labor or social security laws.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, a pivotal era in Brazilian political history leading up to the 1964 coup.
- **Digital Preservation:** Fully digitized and accessible via the official Planalto government archive, ensuring long-term public access.
- **Standardized Identification:** Assigned a unique LexML Brazil URN (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-05-08;4218) for precise legal citation and retrieval.
- **Federal Scope:** Operates as a federal statute, superseding state-level regulations regarding the specific pension it establishes.
- **Single-Day Enactment:** Both approved and promulgated on the same date, May 8, 1963, indicating a streamlined legislative process for this specific measure.

## Body

### Legislative Identity and Classification
Law No. 4218 of May 8, 1963, is formally classified as a **statute**, which is defined as a formal written document that creates law. In the context of the Brazilian legal system, it falls under the category of federal acts passed by the legislature and promulgated by the executive. The document serves as the physical and legal manifestation of statutory law, distinct from general legal concepts or abstract theories. It is an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and functions as a specific rule within the broader framework of Brazilian legislation. The law is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the Federative Republic of Brazil, and is legally binding throughout the national territory.

### Enactment and Promulgation Details
The legislative process for this statute culminated on **May 8, 1963**. On this date, the law was both approved and promulgated by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The head of state responsible for this action was **João Goulart**, who served as the President of Brazil at the time. The place of publication for this federal act was **Brasília**, the capital city of Brazil. The determination method for the law's validity was its formal promulgation, which occurred on the same day as its publication. This single-day timeline for approval and promulgation highlights the specific procedural path taken for this particular piece of legislation.

### Subject Matter and Legal Scope
The primary focus of Law No. 4218 is the establishment of a **Special Pension** (Pensão Especial). This subject matter is explicitly identified in the Wikidata entry for the law (Main Subject ID: Q105766456). The statute acts as the legal foundation for this specific financial benefit, defining the parameters under which it is granted. As a federal law, it applies to the entire jurisdiction of **Brazil**, ensuring uniform application of the pension rules across all states and municipalities. The law does not appear to be limited to a specific region but rather operates as a national statute within the federal system.

### Digital Archiving and Identification
To ensure accessibility and precise citation, Law No. 4218 has been assigned several unique identifiers within digital legal repositories. The **LexML Brazil** system assigns it the Uniform Resource Name (URN): `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-05-08;4218`. This identifier allows for unambiguous referencing in legal databases and academic research. The official text of the law is hosted on the **Planalto** website, accessible via the URL `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4218.htm`. This digital presence ensures that the public, legal professionals, and researchers can access the original text without ambiguity. The law is also cataloged in the **Wikidata** knowledge base, where it is described as a "Brazilian law" and linked to its specific subject matter.

### Historical and Administrative Context
The enactment of this law occurred during a specific period in Brazilian history under the administration of President João Goulart. The date of May 8, 1963, places this legislation in the early 1960s, a time of significant political activity in Brazil. The law was published in **Brasília**, which had become the capital of Brazil in 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The use of the LexML system and the Planalto portal for publication reflects the modernization of Brazil's legal documentation and dissemination processes. The law remains a part of the historical record of Brazilian social legislation, specifically regarding the evolution of pension rights and special benefits for citizens.

### References and Verification
The data regarding Law No. 4218 is supported by multiple authoritative sources. The **LexML Brazil** portal provides the primary reference for the law's text and URN, with a retrieval date of January 28, 2021. The **Presidency of the Republic** website serves as the official source for the promulgation details, referenced on February 17, 2021. These sources confirm the law's title, date, subject, and the authority responsible for its enactment. The consistency across these references validates the accuracy of the law's classification as a federal statute concerning a special pension.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-05-08;4218)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4218&ano=1963&data=08/05/1963&ato=4b8MTSq50MVRVT28e)