The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) now allows the 2,093 survivor-pensioners in Negros Oriental and Siquijor to receive the monthly pension and benefits under the new policy.{{more}}
According to GSIS Branch Head Cecilia Tenaja the new ruling permits surviving spouses and children of member- pensioners to receive the pensions of their deceased spouses and children even if they are gainfully employed or have other income sources.
While the surviving spouses of deceased pensioners have been appealing this provision, the government pension fund invalidated the previous survivorship pension scheme’s strict qualification rules, Tenaja said.
The previous GSIS administration strictly implemented a ruling that prevented surviving spouses or children of GSIS members from receiving the monthly pensions and benefits of their deceased spouses or parents if they were gainfully employed or had other income sources.
Under the new guidelines, the maximum amount of basic survivorship pension should not exceed 50 percent of the salary of an undersecretary level under the Salary Standardization Law or slightly over P30,000.
Tenaja said the GSIS based the ceiling on the rank of undersecretary because it is the highest career position in government.
Pensions suspended under the previous policy may visit the agency for reinstatement and for qualified surviving spouses are requested to submit their applications for processing.
Those qualified to receive survivorship pension include qualified spouse and dependents of active members who died while in the service and have met the service and contribution requirements, and old-age pensioners.
As of the present, Tenaja said a total of 4,244 old-age pensioners in Negros Oriental and Siquijor are receiving regularly their GSIS pensions. Siquijor province is under the coverage of GSIS Dumaguete Field Operations area.
Pension benefits vary depending on the years of creditable service of the member. For the survivors of deceased members who have 15 years or more of creditable service, if the member died while in the service, the survivorship benefit shall be the survivorship pension and cash payment equivalent to 18 times the basic monthly pension.
Applications for survivorship benefits should be filed within four years from the death of the member or pensioner. (PIA NegOr/JCT)