Celebrating your 60th birthday brings many benefits, like spending more time with loved ones, enjoying retirement benefits, and other advantages in your sixties.
In the Philippines, turning 60 makes you a senior citizen, eligible for government benefits due to limited job opportunities and societal contributions.
This applies to residents and dual citizens who qualify.
The country provides various programs for senior support, so it’s worth exploring these benefits.
So, explore now to gain more knowledge about it!
Table of Contents
About the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010
Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, provides an array of benefits, privileges, and assistance to senior citizens, such as a twenty-percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of some goods and services; death benefit assistance; educational assistance; free medical and dental services; and exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs, among others.
The same privileges are granted to persons with disabilities (PWDs) under RA No. 10754 (Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs).
Benefits of Senior Citizen
Here are the following benefits for Senior Citizens:
20 Percent Discounts
Medical-related privileges:
- Medicine and drug purchases
- Medical supplies, accessories, and equipment
- Medical and dental services
- Professional fees of attending physician
- Professional fees of licensed health workers providing home health care services
Transportation:
- Air and Sea
- Land: LRT, MRT, PNR, buses, jeepneys, taxi and shuttle services
Hotels, restaurants, recreational facilities, places of leisure:
- Hotels, restaurants, theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, leisure and amusement
Recreation centers:
- Fees, charges, and rental for sports facilities and equipment
Funeral services:
Funeral and burial expenses include casket or urn, embalming, cremation costs, and other services.
Utility Discount
Grant a minimum 5% discount relative to the monthly use of water and electricity, provided that the meter is registered under the name of the senior citizen residing therein and does not exceed 100 kWh and 30 m³.
Exemptions
Tax exemption:
- Exemption from payment of individual income tax of those who are considered to be minimum wage earners
Training fee exemption:
- Training fees for socio-economic programs conducted by private and government agencies are subject to the guidelines issued by DTI, DOLE, DA, TESDA, and DOST-TRC.
Freebies
- Free medical and dental services
- Free vaccinations
Government Assistance
Social Pension:
- Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend of Php 500.00 to augment daily subsistence and other medical needs.
Mandatory PhilHealth coverage:
- The national health insurance program of PhilHealth covers all senior citizens.
Social safety nets:
- The social safety assistance shall include, but not be limited to, food, medicines, and financial assistance for house repair to cushion the effects of economic, disaster, and calamity shocks.
Death benefit assistance:
- Assistance of a minimum of Php 2,000.00 shall be given to the nearest surviving relative who took care of the deceased senior citizen.
Others
Express lanes:
- Express lanes shall be provided in all private, banking, commercial, and government establishments; priority shall be given in their absence.
Educational privileges:
- Assistance shall be granted to senior citizens to pursue education through the provision of scholarships, grants, financial aid, subsidies, and other incentives.
Benefits and privileges for retirees:
- Continuance of the same benefits and privileges by GSIS, SSS, and PAG-IBIG as those in active service enjoy.
Privileges on special discounts in special programs:
- To avail of these benefits, the senior citizen or his/her authorized representative shall present a valid and original Senior Citizens’ Identification Card.
- Details for the ID application may be found (here).
Here are some things to take note of on purchases:
- Credit Card Payments:
- A 20% discount and VAT exemption shall also apply to purchasing goods and services paid for through credit cards.
- No double discounts:
- In cases where the senior citizen is also a person with a disability (PWD), the senior citizen can only use either his/her senior citizen ID or PWD ID to avail of a 20% discount.
- Tax deduction:
- Establishments may claim the discounts as tax deductions based on the cost of goods sold or services rendered.
Conclusion
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 in the Philippines offers senior citizens a comprehensive range of benefits and privileges, including discounts on medical and transportation services, utility discounts, tax exemptions, and various forms of government assistance such as social pensions and PhilHealth coverage.
These benefits aim to improve the quality of life for seniors, recognizing their contributions to society and providing support in their later years.
Seniors and their families need to be aware of these entitlements and take steps to ensure they can access them.
References
- (Office of the Senior-Citizens Affair Portal). https://www.oscaportal.com/benefits.php
- dtiwebteam. (2024, March 21). DTI, DA, and DOE increase senior_citizens and PWD special discounts on basic goods. Department of Trade and Industry Philippines. https://www.dti.gov.ph/news/dti-da-doe-increase-senior-citizens-pwd-special-discounts-basic-goods/
- Official Gazette. (2010, February 14). Republic Act No. 9994. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/02/15/republic-act-no-9994/
- (Expanded_Senior Citizen Act of 2010). https://hrep-website.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/legisdocs/basic_18/HB02480.pdf
- Senior_Citizen Benefits in the Philippines. (2021, April 4). Digido. https://digido.ph/articles/senior-citizen-benefits
- (Senior_citizens’ discounts: Study better, faster way to give it). Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/6/senior-citizens-discounts-study-better-faster-way-to-give-it
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