MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has rolled out sweeping pension reforms and digital innovations in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for integrity, prudent investment, and modernized service delivery.
During the September 16 ceremonial launch of the SSS Pension Reform Program, President Marcos directed GSIS and SSS to guard members’ trust, invest wisely, and modernize systems to reach even remote communities.
“Let us protect the lifetime of work that our pensioners have built for themselves and for our country,” the President said.
GSIS Officer in Charge Juliet Bautista confirmed the agency is implementing these directives through major reforms:
Key Reforms:
- Removal of survivorship pension cap – Surviving spouses now receive full 50% of their partner’s pension, previously capped at Undersecretary salary level
- Abolition of cohabitation rule – Survivorship pensions no longer suspended for cohabitation; termination only applies upon remarriage
- Relaxed Christmas Cash Gift rules – Pensioners completing Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation (APIR) after April deadline remain eligible
- Full digitization – Pension applications now processed through GSIS Touch app without office visits; app also handles APIR, loans, and other services
- Investment policy review – Board of Trustees reviewing policies to align with sound governance, risk management, and sustainable growth
“These reforms are not just changes in rules. They are statements of our commitment to make our systems more humane, responsive, and inclusive,” Bautista said during National Pensioners’ Day at GSIS Theater in Pasay City. “Our pensioners deserve retirement years marked by dignity, security, and ginhawa.”
GSIS and SSS are conducting National Pensioners’ Week activities from September 8-12, including forums, health programs, and financial literacy campaigns nationwide.
