The Institute

The Social Security Institute, P.I. (ISS - Instituto da Segurança Social, I.P.)

The Social Security Institute, I.P. (ISS) is a public institute governed by special rules in accordance with the law, integrated in the indirect administration of the State, with administrative and financial autonomy and its own assets.

The ISS performs functions of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS), under the supervision and authority of the respective minister.

It was created in January 2001 with the aim of establishing a new model of administrative organisation, increasing strategic management capacity and implementing national coordination.

As a central body, the ISS has jurisdiction over all the national territory, without prejudice to the powers and competences of the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira.

The ISS has its headquarters in Lisbon and its activity is developed by the Central Services, the National Pensions Centre, the eighteen Social Security District Centres and a network of Customer Information Services.