# Law No. 6179 of December 11, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105660036](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105660036)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6179-of-december-11-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6179 of December 11, 1974, is a Brazilian statute that established social security benefits for individuals over 70 years old and disabled persons, marking a significant development in Brazil’s social welfare framework. Enacted during the government of President Ernesto Geisel, it remains a key reference in Brazilian labor and social security law. The law is officially titled "Lei nº 6179, de 11 de dezembro de 1974" and is accessible via the LexML database.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 6179, de 11 de dezembro de 1974  
- **Approval Date:** December 11, 1974  
- **Country:** Brazil  
- **Legal Digest:** "Institui amparo previdenciário para maiores de setenta anos de idade e para inválidos, e dá outras providências" (Establishes social security benefits for individuals over 70 years old and disabled persons, and provides other provisions).  
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President Ernesto Geisel).  
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written legal document).  
- **Main Subjects:** Social security, disability benefits, elderly care, legal requirements for benefit concessions.  
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6179`  
- **Publication Date:** December 11, 1974  
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília  
- **Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6179.htm  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6179/1974  
- **Focus List:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws  

## FAQs
**What does Law No. 6179 of 1974 establish?**  
This law created social security benefits for two specific groups: individuals over 70 years old and disabled persons, ensuring financial support under Brazil’s social welfare system.  

**Who approved the law?**  
The law was promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on December 11, 1974, during Brazil’s military government era (1964–1985).  

**Where can the full text of the law be accessed?**  
The complete text is available via the LexML database at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6179.htm.  

**Why is this law historically significant?**  
It represents a foundational step in Brazil’s social security policy, addressing vulnerable populations and reflecting the government’s approach to welfare during the 1970s.  

**Is the law still in effect today?**  
While the law remains a historical reference, subsequent legislation (e.g., the 1988 Constitution and later social security reforms) has updated Brazil’s welfare framework, potentially modifying or replacing certain provisions.  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6179 of 1974 is pivotal for understanding the evolution of Brazil’s social welfare system, particularly its treatment of elderly and disabled citizens. Enacted during a period of military rule, it underscores the state’s role in providing financial assistance to vulnerable groups, aligning with broader developmentalist policies of the era. The law’s provisions laid groundwork for later reforms, including constitutional guarantees for social security, and remains a critical document for legal scholars and policymakers analyzing Brazil’s approach to social equity. Its accessibility via LexML ensures transparency and public engagement with legislative history.  

## Notable For
- **First Major Social Security Provision for Elderly and Disabled:** Established dedicated benefits for these groups under Brazilian law.  
- **Military Government Policy Artifact:** Reflects social welfare priorities during Ernesto Geisel’s administration (1974–1979).  
- **LexML Documentation:** Early example of Brazilian legal documents integrated into modern digital governance platforms.  
- **Influence on Later Reforms:** Contributed to discussions leading to the 1988 Constitution’s social security guarantees.  

## Body

### History and Legal Context
Law No. 6179 was enacted on December 11, 1974, under President Ernesto Geisel, a military leader during Brazil’s dictatorship period (1964–1985). The legislation emerged amid broader efforts to modernize social policies while maintaining authoritarian governance. It built upon earlier social security frameworks, such as the 1943 Social Security Code, but specifically targeted elderly and disabled individuals, who were previously underserved by existing laws.  

### Key Provisions
The law’s primary purpose was to "institui amparo previdenciário" (establish social security support) through two main mechanisms:  
1. **Benefits for Individuals Over 70:** Provided financial assistance to elderly citizens without other income sources.  
2. **Disability Benefits:** Extended support to disabled persons, outlining eligibility criteria and application processes.  
The law also detailed administrative procedures for benefit concessions, emphasizing documentation requirements and federal oversight.  

### Approval and Promulgation
President Ernesto Geisel signed the law on December 11, 1974, exercising his authority under Article 70 of the 1967 Constitution (amended in 1968). This constitutional provision granted the president legislative powers during the military regime, enabling direct enactment of laws without congressional debate. The law was published in the *Diário Oficial da União* (Official Gazette) on the same day, ensuring its immediate legal effect.  

### Publication and Accessibility
The law is cataloged in the LexML database, a digital repository for Brazilian legislation, under the unique identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6179`. Its full text is publicly accessible via the Planalto Government Portal (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l6179.htm), reflecting Brazil’s commitment to legal transparency. The document is written in Brazilian Portuguese, the country’s official language.  

### Legacy and Impact
While Law No. 6179 remains a historical milestone, its provisions have been largely superseded by subsequent reforms, including:  
- **1988 Constitution:** Established broader social security rights as fundamental guarantees.  
- **Law No. 8,213/1991:** Overhauled Brazil’s social security system, creating the Unified Social Security Regime (RGS).  
- **Disability Rights Advances:** Later laws, such as the 2015 Statute of the Elderly and the 2021 Maria da Penha Law, expanded protections for vulnerable groups.  
Despite these updates, Law No. 6179 is still cited in legal scholarship as a foundational text for understanding Brazil’s 20th-century social policy development. Its focus on elderly and disabled populations underscores the state’s evolving role in addressing social inequality, even under authoritarian governance.  

### Technical and Administrative Details
- **Legal Citation:** Formally referenced as "Lei nº 6179/1974" in judicial and academic contexts.  
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies exclusively to the Federative Republic of Brazil, with no extraterritorial reach.  
- **Amendments and Repeals:** No direct amendments are recorded; its provisions were gradually replaced by newer legislation rather than formal repeal.  
- **Related Entities:** Linked to the Presidency of Brazil, the Ministry of Social Security, and the LexML database.  
- **SEO and Knowledge Graph:** Included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws and indexed by Wikimedia projects to enhance discoverability.  

This law exemplifies the intersection of social policy and governance in 1970s Brazil, offering insights into the military regime’s approach to welfare and its lasting imprint on contemporary social security systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-11;6179)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6179&ano=1974&data=11/12/1974&ato=742gXQ65kenRVTda5)
3. LexML Brasil