SSS releases P32 billion 13th month, December pensions

The Social Security System (SSS) said Monday it has allocated P32.19 billion worth of 13th month and December pensions to over 3.6 million pensioners.

SSS officer-in-charge Voltaire Agas said that they aimed to credit the pensions as early as November 29 to serve as a “pre-Christmas gift” to SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners.

“We are also aware of the plight of our pensioners who were not spared by the recent tropical cyclones that lashed the country in less than a month. The early crediting of 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,” Agas said in a statement.

According to the SSS, the first batch of the 13th month and December pensions worth P17.9 billion were distributed to 2.09 million pensioners on November 29, covering pensioners with dates of contingency within the first to the 15th day of the month.

The second batch amounting to P14.3 billion was given on December 4, benefitting 1.52 million pensioners that have dates of contingency within the 16th up to the last day of the month.

Pensioners who availed of the advance 18-month pensions for their initial benefit also got their 13th month pensions on December 4.

The SSS said it also released around P41.6 million worth of 13th month and December pensions to more than 6,000 pensioners through non-PESONet participating banks and checks.

“Pensioners in non-PESONet participating banks got their pensions on December 4, meanwhile we have asked the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the checks of our pensioners in their home address,” Agas added.

He said that retirement and survivor pensioners get a 13th month pension equivalent to their regular monthly pensions, while pensioners with total disability receive theirs equal to their monthly pensions without the medical allowance.

“Member’s children receiving dependent’s pensions are also entitled to the 13th month pension and partial disability pensioners can receive it if they have a pension duration of at least 12 months,” Agas explained. —Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News