THE Social Security System (SSS) has released the 13th month and December pensions amounting to P32.19 billion to more than 3.6 million pensioners.
In a statement, SSS said the benefits were distributed as early as November 29.
Voltaire Agas, SSS officer-in-charge, said the pension fund pushed for the early crediting of the 13th month and December pensions as a pre-Christmas gift to SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners.
“We are also aware of the plight of our pensioners who were not spared by the recent tropical cyclones that lashed the country in less than a month. The early crediting of these pensions can help address some of their financial needs as they try to rebuild their lives after a series of calamities struck the country,” Agas said.
The first batch of the 13th month and December pensions were distributed to 2.09 million pensioners worth P17.9 billion on November 29, covering pensioners with dates of contingency within the first to the 15th day of the month.
The second batch was released on December 4 which benefitted 1.52 million pensioners amounting to P14.3 billion. These pensioners have dates of contingency within the 16th up to the last day of the month.
Agas said the SSS has released around P41.6 million worth of 13th month and December pensions to more than 6,000 pensioners through non-PESONet participating banks and checks.
“Pensioners in non-PESONet participating banks got their pensions on December 4, meanwhile we have asked the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the checks of our pensioners in their home address,” Agas said. He added that pensioners who availed of the advance 18-month pensions for their initial benefit received their 13th month pensions on December 4.
