The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has pledged full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s call for integrity, prudent investment, and modernization in public service, unveiling wide-ranging reforms aimed at enhancing the welfare of government workers and retirees.
The President, more known as PBBM, issued the directive during the ceremonial launch of the Social Security System (SSS) Pension Reform Program on Tuesday, urging both GSIS and SSS to protect the trust of their members, invest wisely, and modernize service delivery—especially in far-flung areas. He stressed the importance of making services accessible not only through digital platforms and helpdesks, but also in the most remote communities.
“Let us protect the lifetime of work that our pensioners have built for themselves and for our country,” Marcos Jr. said.
In response, GSIS officer-in-charge Juliet Bautista announced that the agency is already implementing key reforms aligned with the President’s call. Among these is the removal of the survivorship pension cap, allowing surviving spouses to receive the full 50 percent of their partner’s pension, regardless of amount—a change from the previous policy that limited benefits based on the salary of an undersecretary.
The GSIS has also abolished the cohabitation rule, ensuring that survivorship pensions are no longer suspended if the beneficiary lives with another partner. Termination now applies only in cases of remarriage, protecting beneficiaries from unnecessary loss of income.
Bautista also noted more flexible rules on the Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation (APIR), allowing those who miss the April deadline to still receive the Christmas Cash Gift as long as the revalidation is completed at a later date.
As part of its digital transformation, GSIS has fully digitized pension applications, enabling retirees to apply for benefits through the GSIS Touch mobile app. The app also allows users to apply for loans, complete APIR, and access other services anytime and anywhere—removing the need to physically visit GSIS offices.
In addition, the GSIS Board of Trustees is currently reviewing its investment policies to ensure they align with principles of sound governance, risk management, and sustainable growth. This aims to secure members’ contributions while delivering long-term value for future generations.
“These reforms are not just changes in rules. They are statements of our commitment to make our systems more humane, responsive, and inclusive,” Bautista said during the National Pensioners’ Day celebration held at the GSIS Theater.
Throughout National Pensioners’ Week, observed from September 8 to 12, GSIS and SSS—along with partner agencies and senior citizens’ organizations—are holding activities nationwide. These include forums, wellness programs, livelihood projects, recognition ceremonies, and financial literacy campaigns, underscoring the government’s commitment to deliver reforms that directly benefit Filipino pensioners.
