GSIS lifts cap on survivorship pension

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has lifted the cap on survivorship pensions, allowing spouses of deceased members to receive full benefits.

In a statement on Thursday, GSIS said the survivorship pension ceiling was removed under a recently issued board resolution.

"This policy shift was made to follow the law under Republic Act 8291. By lifting the cap, GSIS ensures that surviving spouses will receive what they are rightfully entitled to, while staying true to our duty of providing fair and adequate benefits," said GSIS officer-in-charge President and General Manager Juliet Bautista.

With the removal of the cap, survivorship pensions shall now receive the full pension equivalent to 50% of the pension of the deceased member or pensioner.

Under previous rules, survivorship pensions were capped at 50% of the salary of an undersecretary, which prevented many survivorship pensioners from receiving the full pension due under the law.

With the new policy, the GSIS said all survivorship pensioners affected by the old cap will have their pensions automatically recomputed and adjusted, while future survivorship pensioners will likewise receive the full survivorship pension without limitation.

The pension fund, moreover, assured its members that its fund remains financially sound and sustainable, capable of supporting this policy change while continuing to protect the benefits of all members and pensioners. — VDV, GMA Integrated News