BY DERCO ROSAL
State-run Social Security System (SSS) announced that it had released P32.19 billion in 13th month and December pensions to over 3.6 million pensioners, starting as early as Nov. 29.
In a statement on Monday, Dec. 9, Voltaire P. Agas, SSS officer-in-charge, said the early release of the 13th month and December 2024 pensions as a pre-Christmas gift for 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.
The first batch of pensions, totaling P17.9 billion, was distributed on Nov. 29 to 2.09 million pensioners whose contingency dates fall between the first and 15th of the month, Agas explained.
Meanwhile, Agas reported that the second batch, amounting to P14.3 billion, was released on Dec. 4, benefiting 1.52 million pensioners with contingency dates from the 16th to the end of the month.
Agas also noted that the SSS disbursed approximately P41.6 million in the 13th month and December pensions to over 6,000 pensioners via non-PESONet 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 said.
Agas added that pensioners who opted for an advance 18-month pension received their 13th month pension on Dec. 4.
In a Dec. 9 statement, SSS said it has been granting the 13th-month pension to SSS and EC pensioners annually since 1988, equivalent to their monthly pension, as a recognition of their contributions.
Agas clarified that retirement and survivor pensioners receive a 13th month pension equal to their regular monthly pension, while total disability pensioners get an amount excluding the medical allowance.
He added that children receiving dependent pensions are also eligible for the 13th-month pension, while partial disability pensioners qualify if their pension lasts at least 12 months.
