State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) now allows online reporting of pensioners as an alternative method to the annual personal appearance requirement, the pension fund’s chief announced yesterday.
In a statement, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, GSIS president and general manager, said the Annual Pensioners Information Revalidation (APIR) can now be done online through Viber, Facebook (FB) Messenger, Skype or Zoom.
“This contactless method will protect them from possible COVID-19 transmission as well as ensure the continuous receipt of their pension,” Macasaet said.
The online APIR is in addition to GSIS’ other methods via GWAPS kiosk, personal appearance, and home visit. The latter, however, is currently suspended due to quarantine restrictions.
To comply with online APIR, pensioners must email two documents to GSIS on their birth month. First is a letter of request to activate their status and second, a photo of their Unified Multi-Purpose ID or temporary eCard, or, in the absence of both, two valid IDs.
The letter must indicate the date of request and the pensioner’s complete name, address, contact number and signature.
Surviving spouses, however, have to email a self-declaration that they have not remarried or cohabited with another person.
The form is downloadable in GSIS website. In the same manner, permanent disability pensioners must submit the original copy of the annual Medical Progress Report.
Pensioners must email the documents to the designated email address of the handling GSIS office, which is listed in the pension fund’s website.
Three days after receiving the request, GSIS should email an acknowledgement letter to the pensioner and will also inform the them of the details of the interview including the date, time and social media
application or video conferencing software to be used.
Pensioners are given the option to choose the videoconferencing mode they prefer—Viber, FB Messenger, Skype or Zoom.
Pensioners who are qualified for milestone benefits—P20,000 on their 90th birthday; P30,000 on their 95th birthday; and P50,000 on their 100th birthday – may also apply for this benefit online.
Online APIR is similarly recommended for pensioners who were previously being home-visited yearly due to advanced age (80 years old and above), sickness, disability or other health issues affecting their mobility.
“We are constantly finding ways to harness technology to make transacting with GSIS convenient and safe for our members and pensioners,” Macasaet said.