The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is set to distribute over P3.47 billion in Christmas cash gifts to its old-age and disability pensioners, beginning on December 6.
Wick Veloso, GSIS president and general manager, said in a statement over the weekend more than 300,000 qualified GSIS pensioners will receive a Christmas cash gift equivalent to their one-month pension, up to a maximum of P10,000.
Veloso said the amount will be credited to their GSIS eCard.
“We announce this news early because we know our pensioners eagerly anticipate it, allowing them to plan when to withdraw and decide on their purchases,” Veloso said.
According to Veloso, GSIS old-age and disability pensioners who are already receiving their regular monthly pensions and are alive as of November 30, 2023, are eligible for the Christmas cash gift.
“For pensioners whose pensions are suspended as of December 31, 2023 due to non-compliance with the Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation (APIR), we will still release your cash gift after you complete the APIR,” Veloso said.
Not included in the Christmas cash gift eligibility are survivorship pensioners, dependent pensioners, pensioners under Republic Act (RA) 7699 or the Portability Law, and those receiving pro-rata pension.
New pensioners from 2019 to 2023 who opted for immediate pension and 18-month cash payment under RA 8291 are also not entitled to receive the cash gift until five years after their retirement date.
Retirees who received a five-year lump sum and plan to resume their regular monthly pension after December 31, 2023, are likewise ineligible for the benefit.
Additionally, GSIS members separated from government service from 2006 to 2023 before reaching 60 years old, and who began receiving their regular monthly pension between 2019 and 2023, are not qualified.
They will only be eligible for the cash gift five years after consistently receiving their pension. – Angela Celis
