Social Security System (SSS) pensioners will receive their Christmas cash gifts early next month.
Aurora C. Ignacio, SSS president and chief executive officer, said the pension fund has coordinated with its partner banks to credit the pensions within the first week of December.
The SSS wants to ensure that its “pensioners can receive and use them in time for the holiday season,” Ignacio said.
Based on the schedule release by the SSS for the 2021 December and 13th month pensions, dates of crediting will depend on the pensioners’ disbursement accounts.
For pensioners whose disbursement accounts are with the PESONet participating banks, e-wallets, remittance transfer companies/cash payout outlets (RTCs/CPOs), and the date of contingency is from the first to 15th day of the month, crediting of the cash gift is on Dec. 1, 2021.
But for pensioners whose date of contingency is from the 16th to the last day of the month or availed of the advance 18 months pension, the crediting date is on Dec. 4, 2021.
Meanwhile, for pensioners whose disbursement accounts are with a non-PESONet participating bank, their 2021 December and 13th month pensions will be credited not later than Dec. 4, 2021.
The SSS also coordinated with the Philippine Postal Corp. to expedite the delivery of the 2021 December and 13th month pensions of pensioners who are still receiving them through checks.
For those whose pensions were suspended due to previous non-compliance with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP) but whose accrued pensions are now for resumption, they will receive their pensions on Dec. 16, 2021.
The SSS, since 1988, has been giving 13th month pensions to its pensioners every December as an extra cash gift for the holidays.
Those who are entitled to the 13th month pension are SSS retirement, survivor, and total disability pensioners. Partial disability pensioners may also qualify for the 13th month pension provided that their pension duration is at least 12 months.
Pensions after December 2021 will follow their regular crediting schedule.