By Brian Campued
The Social Security System (SSS) has released the 13th month and December pensions worth P32.19 billion to over 3.6 million pensioners as a pre-Christmas gift to SSS and Employees’ Compensation pensioners.
According to SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire Agas, the first batch was distributed on Nov. 29, covering pensioners with dates of contingency within the first to the 15th day of the month.
The second batch, meanwhile, was released on Dec. 4, with dates of contingency within the 16th day up to the last day of the month.
Agas said the early crediting of the pensions was pushed to aid Filipinos affected by recent tropical cyclones.
“These pensions can help address some of their financial needs as they try to rebuild their lives after a series of calamities struck the country,” he said.
The SSS also released around P41.6 million worth of pensions to over 6,000 pensioners through non-PESONet participating banks on Dec. 4.
“We have asked the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the checks of our pensioners in their home address,” Agas noted.
Pensioners who availed of the advance 18-month pensions for their initial benefit likewise received their 13th month pensions on Dec. 4.
Meanwhile, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) released P3.7 billion in Christmas cash gifts to 358,310 eligible pensioners on Dec. 5 as well as the December pensions on Dec. 6.
The Christmas cash gift is equivalent to a one-month pension but capped at P10,000, according to GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso.
-av