Forgotten Money: See who is eligible and how to recover the amounts

You may have forgotten money at the Central Bank

In recent years, much has been said about the so-called forgotten moneyThis term became famous when the Central Bank released a tool allowing Brazilians to check amounts held in banks and financial institutions. It turns out that these forgotten amounts aren't limited to banks. Social benefits, such as PIS/PASEP quotas, inactive FGTS (Fund for Severance Indemnity Fund), and even Federal Revenue refunds, end up being held because workers or taxpayers are unaware of their entitlement.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and this website has no affiliation with the Federal Government, Caixa Econômica Federal, Banco do Brasil, or any other public agency. For inquiries or withdrawals of benefits, please access only the official channels at gov.br and never provide sensitive personal data to third-party websites.

What is forgotten money?

Forgotten money is any amount that, for some reason, hasn't reached a citizen's pocket, but remains registered in their name. This can happen in a variety of situations, such as:

• Closed bank accounts that still had a balance.
• Overpaid fees or installments.
• Quotas of the PIS/PASEP not drawn.
• Forgotten income tax refunds.
• Unredeemed private pension funds.
• FGTS amounts linked to inactive accounts.

Many Brazilians don't know, but there are billions of reais sitting idle waiting for their rightful owners.

Who is entitled to redemption?

Virtually anyone can have a forgotten valuable item. The groups most likely to find money are:

• Private sector workers who had a formal employment contract between 1971 and 1988 and never withdrew PIS.
• Public servants who contributed to PASEP in the same period.
• People who closed bank accounts without withdrawing small balances.
• Taxpayers who have income tax refunds not redeemed.
• Citizens with inactive FGTS accounts.
• Heirs of workers or retirees who died and left funds tied up in banks or social programs.

The important thing is: if there is any record in your name, that money remains yours.

Step 1: Consulting the Central Bank

The first step to knowing if you have money forgotten in banks is to access the Central Bank system called Amounts ReceivableThe query is simple:

1. Visit the official website valuesreceive.bcb.gov.br.
2. Enter your CPF and date of birth (or CNPJ, in the case of companies).
3. If there is any balance, you will need to log into the account. Gov.br (silver or gold level).
4. The system will display the amount and indicate which bank or financial institution it is held at.

After that, you can request the transfer directly through the system, which sends the money to your registered Pix account.

Step 2: Consulting PIS/PASEP

Another very common forgotten value is the PIS/PASEP quotasThis benefit is intended for workers and civil servants who worked between 1971 and 1988. Even if the person has already retired or even passed away, the amounts remain available.

• PIS (Federal Savings Bank): consultation via the Caixa website, Caixa Tem app or FGTS.
• PASEP (Bank of Brazil): consultation via the Banco do Brasil website or app.

For in-person withdrawals, it is necessary to present personal documents and, in the case of heirs, a death certificate and documents proving family ties.

Step 3: Consulting inactive FGTS

Those who have worked at different companies may have left inactive FGTS accountsThese amounts are stored in the fund and can be withdrawn in specific situations, such as retirement, property purchases, or emergency withdrawals authorized by the government.

The consultation can be made directly at FGTS app (Caixa Econômica Federal). The balance is linked to the CPF and can be redeemed according to the rules.

Step 4: Income Tax Refunds

Many people don't know, but there are income tax refunds that are forgotten because the person does not follow the Federal Revenue statement.

To consult:

1. Access the portal My Income Tax on the Federal Revenue website.
2. Enter your CPF and year of declaration.
3. Check for pending refunds.

If applicable, the amount can be requested via bank account.

Step 5: Private pension and insurance

Those who have taken out private pension plans or insurance may have left funds unused. This type of balance also falls under the category of forgotten money. To inquire, you should contact the insurance company or financial institution responsible for the contract directly.

Step 6: How to withdraw forgotten money

The withdrawal process depends on the source of the amount:

• Central Bank (Amounts Receivable): online request via Pix.
• PIS/PASEP: withdrawal at Caixa Econômica or Banco do Brasil.
• FGTS: withdrawal via the FGTS app or in person at Caixa.
• Federal Revenue: transfer to the bank account informed in the declaration.
• Insurance or private pension: direct contact with the responsible institution.

In all cases, having your personal documents organized (CPF, RG, work card, proof of employment) makes it easier to release.

Step 7: Strokes and Care

As the topic became more popular, many scammers began sending fake links promising to help you check your forgotten funds. Here are some important points to avoid falling for these scams:

• Only make inquiries on official websites. Central Bank, Federal Savings Bank, Bank of Brazil and Federal Revenue.
• Never share personal data in links received via WhatsApp or SMS.
• Be wary of messages asking for payments to release the withdrawal.

Access to forgotten money is completely free.

What is the withdrawal deadline?

In the case of Central Bank, the amounts can be redeemed at any time, without a deadline.
To the PIS/PASEP quotas are also permanently available.
Already the PIS salary bonus, paid annually, has a specific calendar published by Caixa and the government.

Therefore, it's important not to delay. The sooner you consult, the sooner the money can be in your hands.

Impact of the rescue on daily life

Many Brazilians have been surprised to find valuables they never even realized existed. Some find small sums, but others end up locating significant sums, capable of paying off debts or building an emergency fund.

Even if it's a small amount, the withdrawal is important: after all, it's money that already belongs to the worker and can help with daily expenses.

Your money may be waiting for you

THE forgotten money is a reality for millions of Brazilians. It could be in banks, in the FGTS (Unemployment Fund), PIS/PASEP (Social Security Fund), the Federal Revenue Service, or in pension funds. The most important thing is not to ignore this possibility.

With just a few minutes of checking the official websites, you can find out if there's any funds in your name and request a withdrawal today. The process is often simple and straightforward, especially when transferring via Pix.

See also: 11 Best Money Making Apps

Published on September 5, 2025