GSIS Reaffirms Stronger Support For More Than 600,000 Pensioners

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reaffirming its commitment to pensioners and retirees through measures that strengthen financial protection and broaden access, as the nation marks Filipino Elderly Week (October 1–7). The week is observed annually under Presidential Proclamation No. 470 (s.1994).

These initiatives, which are already in place, include reforms to survivorship pensions, more flexible rules for the Christmas cash gift, a higher funeral benefit, fully digital pension applications, and new options for pensioners to update their contact information without visiting a GSIS office.

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the programs reflect the pension fund’s continuing effort to make retirement benefits more responsive to the needs of pensioners and their families.

“Our responsibility to our pensioners does not end when they retire. We must continue to protect their benefits and make our processes easier to navigate,” Veloso said.

The GSIS has lifted the cap on survivorship pensions. Qualified surviving spouses may now receive the full 50 percent of their partner’s pension regardless of the amount. In addition, the pension fund has abolished the cohabitation rule for survivorship pensions. Benefits are no longer suspended solely because a beneficiary lives with another partner. Termination now applies only when the beneficiary remarries.

The GSIS has also eased the rules on the Christmas cash gift. Pensioners who fail to complete their Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation (APIR) by April, no longer automatically lose the benefit. As long as APIR is eventually completed, the cash gift remains intact.

Since July 13, the GSIS funeral benefit has been increased to PHP50,000 from PHP30,000. The benefit helps defray burial and funeral expenses of a deceased member or pensioner, with claims allowed within four years. A PHP10,000 benefit applies to qualified uniformed members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Retirees can now apply for their pension through the GSIS Touch mobile app without visiting an office. The app also allows pensioners to complete APIR, apply for loans and access other GSIS programs remotely.

“Technology should make government transactions simpler, not more complicated,” Veloso said. “For our pensioners, that means being able to complete more requirements from wherever they are, while retaining access to assistance when they need it.”

The GSIS is encouraging pensioners to keep their contact information current to receive important notices and updates. Records may be updated over the counter, through the GSIS Touch app, via Agency Authorized Officers, or by submitting a Member Request Form through mail, courier or email.

For those who still need to visit a GSIS office, the GSIS Appointment Buddy provides a queueing option through a QR code. Clients can obtain their queue number and receive a text notification when it is their turn, allowing them to wait without standing in line.

“For our pensioners, ginhawa should mean more than receiving a pension. It should also mean clearer rules and transactions that respect their time and circumstances,” Veloso said.

As Filipino Elderly Week is observed nationwide, the GSIS said it will continue to strengthen programs that support the financial security and well-being of pensioners and retirees.

FILIPINO VERSION

NEWS RELEASE

2 October 2026

Ref: Marge Jorillo, majorillo@gsis.gov.ph

Pinagtitibay ng GSIS ang mas malakas na suporta para sa mahigit 600,000 pensioners

Muling pinagtitibay ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ang pangako nito sa mga pensioner at retirado sa pamamagitan ng mga hakbang na nagpapalakas sa kanilang pinansyal na proteksyon at nagpapalawak ng access sa mga serbisyo, kasabay ng paggunita ng Elderly Filipino Week (Oktubre 1 hanggang 7). Ang pagdiriwang ay taunang isinasagawa alinsunod sa Presidential Proclamation No. 470 (s. 1994).

Kabilang sa mga hakbang na ito, na kasalukuyan nang ipinatutupad, ang mga reporma sa survivorship pension, mas maluwag na patakaran para sa Christmas cash gift, pagtaas ng funeral benefit, ganap na digital na proseso ng paga-apply para sa pensyon, at mga bagong paraan upang makapag-update ng contact information nang hindi kinakailangang bumisita sa tanggapan ng GSIS.

Ayon kay GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso, ipinakikita ng mga programang ito ang patuloy na pagsisikap ng GSIS na gawing mas angkop at mas tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga pensioner at kanilang mga pamilya ang mga benepisyo sa pagreretiro.

“Hindi nagtatapos ang aming responsibilidad sa aming mga pensioner sa oras na sila ay magretiro. Tungkulin naming patuloy na pangalagaan ang kanilang mga benepisyo at gawing mas madali at mas maginhawa ang pag-avail ng aming mga serbisyo,” ani Veloso.

Inalis na ng GSIS ang itinakdang limitasyon sa survivorship pension. Sa ilalim ng bagong patakaran, maaaring matanggap ng kwalipikadong nabubuhay na asawa ang buong 50 porsiyento ng pensyon ng kaniyang asawa, anuman ang halaga nito. Bukod dito, inalis na rin ng GSIS ang cohabitation rule para sa survivorship pension. Hindi na masususpinde ang benepisyo dahil lamang sa pakikipamuhay ng benepisyaryo sa ibang kinakasama. Tanging pag-aasawang muli na lamang ang magiging dahilan ng pagwawakas ng naturang benepisyo.

Pinagaan din ng GSIS ang mga patakaran para sa Christmas cash gift. Ang mga pensioner na hindi nakatapos ng kanilang Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation (APIR) bago ang Abril ay hindi na awtomatikong mawawalan ng Christmas cash gift. Hangga’t nakukumpleto ang APIR sa kalaunan, mananatili ang kanilang karapatan sa nasabing benepisyo.

Mula Hulyo 13, itinaas ng GSIS ang funeral benefit mula ₱30,000 tungo sa ₱50,000. Layunin nitong makatulong sa pagbayad ng mga gastusin kaugnay ng burol at pagpapalibing ng isang yumaong miyembro o pensioner. Maaaring maghain ng claim sa loob ng apat na taon mula sa petsa ng pagkamatay. Para naman sa mga kwalipikadong uniformed personnel ng Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, at Bureau of Fire Protection, nakalaan ang funeral benefit na ₱10,000. Maaari na ring mag-aplay ng pensyon ang mga retirado sa pamamagitan ng GSIS Touch mobile app nang hindi na kinakailangang pumunta sa opisina. Sa parehong app, maaari ring kumpletuhin ang APIR, mag-apply para sa mga loan, at mag-avail ng iba pang programa ng GSIS saanman sila naroroon.

“Dapat gawing mas simple ng teknolohiya ang transaksiyon sa pamahalaan, hindi mas kumplikado,” ani Veloso. “Para sa aming mga pensioner, nangangahulugan ito ng kakayahang makumpleto ang mas maraming requirements saanman sila naroroon, habang nananatiling may access sa tulong na kanilang kailangan.”

Hinihikayat din ng GSIS ang mga pensioner na panatilihing updated ang kanilang contact information upang patuloy silang makatanggap ng mahahalagang abiso at impormasyon. Maaaring i-update ang mga rekord sa pamamagitan ng over-the-counter transaction, GSIS Touch app, Agency Authorized Officers, o sa pagsusumite ng Member Request Form sa pamamagitan ng koreo, courier, o email.

Para naman sa mga kinakailangang bumisita sa tanggapan ng GSIS, maaaring gamitin ang GSIS Appointment Buddy. Sa pamamagitan ng QR code, maaaring kumuha ng queue number at makatanggap ng text notification kapag sila na ang susunod na seserbisyuhan, kaya hindi na kailangang pumila nang matagal.

“Para sa aming mga pensioner, ang ginhawa ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagtanggap ng pensyon. Dapat din itong mangahulugan ng mas malinaw na mga patakaran at mga serbisyong may malasakit sa kanilang oras at kalagayan,” dagdag ni Veloso.

Kasabay ng paggunita sa Elderly Filipino Week sa buong bansa, sinabi ng GSIS na patuloy nitong palalakasin ang mga programa at serbisyo na nagtataguyod ng seguridad sa pananalapi at mas maayos na kapakanan ng mga pensioner at retirado.

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A commitment that goes beyond retirement. Aside from providing benefits and services, GSIS remains dedicated to staying connected with the people it serves. In a recent event, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso personally touched base with pensioners, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare, dignity, and financial security of over 600,000 retirees nationwide.

The Philippine Alliance of Retired Educators (PARE) recently honored GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso for being named Asia’s Modern Hero for Public Service and Financial Leadership. The distinction affirms GSIS’ sustained efforts to strengthen programs and services that uplift the lives of pensioners and ensure a more secure retirement for generations of public servants.

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