SSS releases ‘special case’ pension differential

State-run Social Security System (SSS) has announced that the first batch of pensioners identified under “special cases” can withdraw up to P3,000 in retroactive additional benefits starting today.

In a statement yesterday, SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Dooc said SSS has deposited P71.84 million to its partner banks for the release of additional benefits to some 41,486 pensioners under special cases.

“We are glad to announce that some 41,000 pensioners under special cases may withdraw their additional P1,000 benefit for the months of January to March on Friday (March 31),” Dooc said.

“[As] this is retroactive since the approval of President Duterte on Jan. 10, they will receive around P1,000 to P3,000 pension differential,” he added.

Duterte approved the proposed pension hike last January and signed the order to implement it last Feb. 22. The SSS later released the P3,000 differential to regular pensioners last March 3, 10 and 17.

But the SSS decided to release on different dates the additional benefit of 10 percent to its pensioners who are under special cases – those who do not regularly receive their monthly pension – since their pension computation varies from regular pensioners.

Among the SSS members who will receive up to P3,000 in additional pension today are those under the Special Pension System and payees with withheld share.

Those covered by a Bilateral Social Security Agreement between the Philippines and other countries, as well as the Portability Law, will also receive their pension today.

SSS also said pensioners who were previously suspended due to non-compliance to the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) and are up for resumption within January to March 2017 will have their additional benefits integrated into their monthly regular pension upon the resumption.

Among the 41,486 pensioners who will receive their benefits today, 6,685 are under the Special Pension System, while the remaining include members who have resumed receiving their monthly pension after ACOP compliance.

The remaining pensioners under other special circumstances will receive their additional benefits on May 12 and 26, according to the SSS.

On the other hand, about 13,000 pensioners with unpaid loans will not receive the P1,000 additional benefit to offset any outstanding obligation, the SSS added.