The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensioners will receive a Christmas cash gift up to P10,000 this December 6, according to GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso.

“Ang halaga ng Christmas cash gift ay katumbas ng kanilang isang buwang pension hanggang sampung libo ang maximum,” Veloso said in an episode of GSIS Ginhawa For All on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Veloso noted that the pensioners eligible for the cash gift are old age and disability pensioners.

“Ang makakatanggap ng christmas cash gift ay lahat ng GSIS old age at disability pensioners na nakakatanggap ng kanilang regular monthly pension at buhay pa as of November 30, 2023,” he said.

Veloso, however, clarified that some GSIS pensioners are not eligible for this benefit, particularly the survivorship pensioner, dependent pensioner, portability pensioner, and pro-rata pensioner.

The GSIS chief underscored that pensioners are only eligible for the benefit if they have received their pension for at least five years, regardless if they are old age and disability pensioners.

“Importante ring malaman na ang eligible lang sa benefit na to ay ang mga nakakatanggap na ng pension sa loob ng limang taon o higit pa," he said.

In case their pension has been suspended, they have to comply with the Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation (APIR) before receiving the cash gift.

"Kung suspendido naman ang pension as of December 31, 2023 dahil hindi nakapag-comply sa annual pensioners’ information revalidation o yung tinatawag po nating APIR, ibibigay rin po namin ang cash gift ninyo pagkatapos ninyong mag-APIR,” he added.

Veloso also explained that pensions get suspended when pensioners fail to comply with APIR as it serves as their “proof of life” which vouches that they are the ones receiving the benefit.

“Nagsususpende ang pension kapag hindi nakapag-APIR ang pensioner kasi ito po yung nagsisilbing proof of life ng pensioner para masigurado natin na sila mismo ang nakikinabang sa kanilang pension,” he said.

GSIS pensioners whose pensions have been suspended can schedule their APIR through various channels such as Messenger, Viber, Skype, Zoom, or the GSIS Touch. They can also schedule through text or email in their respective handling branch.

The complete list of email addresses and contact numbers of GSIS office and branch offices are available on the official GSIS website.