GSIS to release P3 billion Christmas Cash Gift

Old-age and disability pensioners are expected to receive P3.12 billion in Christmas Cash Gifts from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) starting 15 December.

“We know that our 324,348 pensioners are looking forward to the GSIS Christmas Cash Gift which they fondly call their Christmas bonus. Thus, we made sure that it will be credited to their e-card a few days before Christmas Day so they can spend it in celebrating this joyous occasion with their families,” GSIS Chairman and Acting President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

Active old-age and disability pensioners who are receiving their regularly monthly pension and are still living as of 30 November are entitled to receive the Christmas cash gift under Republic Act (RA) 8291, Presidential Decree 1146 and RA 660. Suspended pensioners as of 30 November are also eligible to receive the cash gift, provided they activate their status with GSIS on or before 30 April 2020.

Pensioners whose 2018 Christmas Cash Gift was above P10,000 will receive an amount equivalent to a one-month current pension up to a maximum of P12,600. On the other hand, those whose 2018 Christmas Cash Gift was P10,000 and below will be granted a one-month current pension up to a maximum of P10,000.

A one-month current pension up to a maximum of P10,000 will be granted to pensioners who resumed their regular monthly pension after 31 December 2018 (after the five-year guaranteed period).

Not qualified to receive the Christmas Cash Gift are basic survivorship pensioners; dependent pensioners; pensioners under RA 7699 (Portability Law); and those receiving prorata pension. Retirees who received in advance their guaranteed pensions in the form of lump sums, who are still within the guaranteed period, and who will be resuming their regular monthly pensions after 31 December 2019, are also not entitled to the benefit.

Likewise, new retirees between 2015 to 2019 who availed of immediate pension under RA 8291 will not yet receive the cash gift this year. They will start receiving their Christmas Cash Gift five years after their retirement date.

GSIS members who resigned or separated from government service between 2006 to 2019 before reaching age 60 and who started receiving their regular monthly pension between 2015 and 2019 will receive the cash gift once they have been regular pensioners for at least five years.