GSIS releasing P3.7-B Christmas Cash Gift, pensions

MANILA - Christmas will come early for pensioners of the Government Service Insurance System as the agency begins releasing its Christmas cash gifts.

The GSIS said it will release P3.7 billion in Christmas cash gifts to 358,310 eligible pensioners starting December 5.  

"To help pensioners prepare for the holidays, GSIS will also credit December pensions two days earlier on December 6, instead of the regular schedule on the 8th of the month," the pension fund said.

The Christmas cash gift is equivalent to one-month pension but capped at P10,000. It will be credited directly to the GSIS eCards of qualified old-age and disability pensioners, the agency said. Old-age and disability pensioners are entitled to the cash gift as long as they are in active status and have been receiving their monthly pension for at least five years as of November 30.

“The Christmas cash gift is our way of expressing gratitude to our pensioners who dedicated their lives to serving the Filipino people. We hope this benefit will make their Christmas celebrations more meaningful,” GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso.

Pensioners with suspended pensions due to non-compliance with the Annual Pensioners' Information Revalidation (APIR) may still claim the cash gift after reactivating their accounts.

"Meanwhile, the following are ineligible to receive the cash gift: pensioners who availed of a five-year lump sum and will resume their regular monthly pension after December 31, 2024; survivorship and dependent pensioners; pensioners who retired under RA 7699 (Portability Law); and those receiving pro-rata pension," GSIS said.