This week, the Social Security System (SSS) will begin distributing 13th-month pensions and Christmas gifts totalling nearly P31 billion to beneficiaries.
Aurora Ignacio, president and CEO of the Social Security System, stated that the agency would distribute Christmas gifts and the 13th-month pension to 3.14 million members in time for the holiday season.
According to Ignacio, they have coordinated with partner banks to credit the pensions on given dates during the first week of December so that pensioners can receive and use them in time for the holiday season.
Every December since 1988, the SSS has distributed 13th-month pensions to its beneficiaries. Members who receive retirement, survivor, or total disability pensions are eligible for the cash privilege.
Partial disability pensioners, on the other hand, are only eligible for the 13th-month bonus if their pension has been in effect for at least 12 months. Following receipt of the financial incentive, SSS pensioners will continue to follow their regular crediting schedule.
Meanwhile, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will distribute a P3.2 billion Christmas bonus to old age and disability pensioners on December 6.
According to the GSIS, pensioners who received more than P10,000 in cash gifts last year will receive a cash gift equal to one month’s pension up to a maximum of P12,600.
In 2020, pensioners who received less than P10,000 in cash gifts will receive a cash gift of one month’s pension up to a maximum of P10,000.
Pensioners who are retired or disabled as of November 30, 2021, are eligible for the cash gift. Pensioners who are suspended due to failure to complete their annual pensioners’ information revalidation may, however, be eligible for the cash bonus if they reactivate their status on or before April 30, 2022.
Survivor pensioners and dependent pensioners are not eligible for the financial bonus. Pensioners covered by the Portability Law are also ineligible for the Christmas gift.