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Free bank accounts if you're over 60?

mikehunter

I was investigating this for Banco do Brasil and stumbled upon this using Deepseek:

Why the Idoso Account is Better for You:
    The Idoso account is free and offers full banking services, including unlimited withdrawals, transfers, and access to additional features like checks and overdraft (if applicable).
    The Essential Services Account is limited to basic services (e.g., 1 withdrawal, 2 transfers per month) and is designed for individuals who cannot afford a traditional account.


Of course no where on the BB website do they talk about this.  When I chatted with customer service they signed me up for the "Essential Service", but according to Deepseek, the idoso account offers more services for free.  I was referred t a special phone number to call to discuss further.  The people on the chat line didn't appear to know or I need to navigate a bureaucratic maze to get the account.


Has anyone heard of this?  Deepseek was rather emphatic that the account exists and quoted this:

Which One Should You Choose?


    If you are over 60 years old, the Idoso account is the better option because it offers full banking services with no fees.
    The Essential Services Account is more restrictive and is intended for individuals who cannot afford or do not need a full-featured account.
How to Switch to the Idoso Account:
    Visit a Banco do Brasil branch or contact customer service.
    Inform them that you are over 60 years old and want to switch to the Conta Gratuita para Idosos.
    Provide proof of age (e.g., ID) to confirm your eligibility.
Important Notes:
    The Idoso account is specifically designed for seniors and offers more benefits than the Essential Services Account.
    If you are currently on an Essential Services Account, you can request to switch to the Idoso account to access additional features.


If the bank representatives are still unable to locate the account, you can refer to Circular No. 3.919 issued by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil). This circular mandates that banks offer free accounts to specific groups, including seniors aged 60 or older.

See also

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GuestPoster6669

Neither.


I don't pay bank fees for anything including credit cards at two of my banks.

Fred

Deepseek was rather emphatic that the account exists  - @mikehunter

Deepseek is AI. AI tends to spout rubbish based on rubbish posted on the internet.

Check with the bank.

abthree

02/05/25 @mikehunter.  Thanks for the suggestion.  In April, I'm going to have to go talk to my bank manager about a number of things, and I'll be sure to bring this up.  Without, naturally, citing AI as a source.  I don't consider my current fees particularly onerous, and we've eliminated some just by using Pix rather than transfers among our accounts, but paying nothing for the same services beats paying something every time.

mikehunter

@abthree Yeah, I know that AI at times can be very bad, but I've noticed from my limited testing that Deepseek seems much better than Google, i.e. it doesn't appear to hallucinate as much.  That said, I'm trying to trudge through Circular No. 3.919 to see what I can find. 


I received some further information that may or may not be helpful:


When I referred to a special account for people over 60, I was not specifically referring to Law No. 10.820/2003. Instead, I was referencing broader regulations and practices in Brazil that provide financial benefits, including fee exemptions and tailored banking services, for seniors aged 60 and over. Let me clarify:
Context of Special Accounts for Seniors:
    Law No. 10.820/2003:
        This law primarily focuses on exempting retirees and pensioners (who receive up to two minimum wages) from certain banking fees, such as account maintenance fees, withdrawals, and transfers.
        While it benefits many seniors, it does not specifically create a "special account" for people over 60. Instead, it mandates fee exemptions for existing accounts held by retirees and pensioners.
    Special Accounts for Seniors:
        Many Brazilian banks voluntarily offer special accounts for seniors (often called "conta para maiores de 60 anos" or "conta idoso"). These accounts typically include benefits such as:
            Fee exemptions or reductions.
            Priority service.
            Additional perks like insurance or discounts.
        These offerings are not directly mandated by Law No. 10.820/2003 but are often aligned with the spirit of protecting seniors' financial rights.
    Estatuto do Idoso (Law No. 10.741/2003):
        The Estatuto do Idoso is a broader law that guarantees rights and protections for elderly individuals in Brazil.
        While it does not explicitly mandate special bank accounts, it supports the idea of financial inclusion and benefits for seniors, which has influenced banks to create tailored products for this demographic.
    Proposed Bill (PL 6824/06):
        The bill you mentioned earlier aims to expand fee exemptions for retirees over 60 (receiving up to one minimum wage) and all individuals over 70, regardless of income.
        If passed, this could further encourage banks to offer specialized accounts or services for seniors.
Summary:
    Law No. 10.820/2003 provides fee exemptions for retirees and pensioners but does not create a special account for people over 60.
    Special accounts for seniors are typically offered by banks as part of their customer service policies, often influenced by laws like the Estatuto do Idoso and resolutions such as Resolution No. 4,539/2017.


    If you're looking for a special account for someone over 60, I recommend checking with individual banks in Brazil, as they often have tailored products for this age group.

mberigan

If the bank representatives are still unable to locate the account, you can refer to Circular No. 3.919 issued by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil). This circular mandates that banks offer free accounts to specific groups, including seniors aged 60 or older. - @mikehunter

I went hunting for that circular and what I found on the BCB (Banco Central) site has nothing to do with accounts for the elderly....


That's what I found in a few minutes of searching the BCB site with a number of variations on the search.


Doesn't means that this doesn't exist - I just can't find it online.

mberigan

abthree

02/06/25 @mikehunter.  That "two minimum salaries" cutoff could be a problem.  That doesn't mean that I won't ask though.  As a purchasing manager, I lived by the motto, "You don't always get what you ask for, but you almost never get what you don't ask for!", and I'm not about to stop now.  Thanks again.

mikehunter

@abthree I'm going to send an email to my agency and see what they say.  I'll report back.

mikehunter

Doesn't means that this doesn't exist - I just can't find it online.
mberigan

LOL... neither can I.  In my previous response other Laws were mentioned.  I'll going to see what I can find out and send an email to my branch. 


Makes sense banks would be offering something.

GuestPoster6669

Deepseek was rather emphatic that the account exists  - @mikehunter Deepseek is AI. AI tends to spout rubbish based on rubbish posted on the internet.Check with the bank. - @Fred

All AI is outright dangerous and pure unadulturated bullshit, just like all tech marketing is. Doesn"t matter who makes the program. It's nothing more than a revamped web browser offering little for you to review, with the elites "selected" answer to the query presented in an authorative way as though it was a human responding. Psych 101 being prepped to train and control the mass of brain dead humans of the future.

mikehunter

Well, I just got back the response from BB. 


No atendimento presencial idosos a partir de 60 anos tem atendimento prioritário.
Para clientes que são aposentados , existe empréstimo consignado que tem taxas e prazos  diferenciados.


Well, it was worth a shot.  Deepseek gets an F on this one. 


I was thinking since we now have PIX and the internet, is the ESSENTIAL SERVICES good enough.  I was reading through the documentation and I'm not clear whether cell phone payments, boletos, etc. are included.