SSS moves up 2nd round of 10% monthly pension hikes to June

Pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) should look forward to another round of 10% increase in their monthly retirement and disability pensions starting as early as June 2026.

This is because the SSS advanced the implementation of the monthly pension hike originally scheduled for September, as part of the pension fund’s financial relief measures amid rising energy costs, inflationary pressures, and the broader economic impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Under its three-year pension reform program, SSS pensioners would receive a pension hike every September, starting 2025 until 2027.

In particular, retirement and disability pensions will increase by 10%, while death and survivor benefits will increase by 5%.

“The early implementation is expected to release approximately P6.5 billion in additional benefits from June to August 2026, directly supporting millions of pensioners and their families,” the SSS said.

Meanwhile, the remaining tranche of the three-year pension reform will be implemented as follows:

• September 2027 (for pensioners as of August 31, 2027)
• Additional 10% increase - Retirement and disability pensioners
• Additional 5% increase - Death or survivorship pensioners

After the third year, pensions should have grown by approximately 33% for retirement and disability pensioners and 16% for death and survivorship pensioners.

The table below illustrates the estimated pension increases for sample cases over the three-year implementation period.

The SSS earlier said an estimated 3.9 million pensioners will benefit from the pension hike initiative.

The pension had noted that increasing the monthly pensions this year and next year “without raising the contribution rate because of the pension fund’s strong financial performance.” — BM, GMA News