PBBM declares 2nd week of September every year as National Pensioners' Week
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial launch of the 2025 Social Security System (SSS) Pension Reform Program held at SSS Main Office in East Avenue, Quezon City on Sept. 10, 2025. (Santi San Juan)
President Marcos has declared the second week of September of every year as the National Pensioners' Week.
Marcos made the declaration through Proclamation No. 1020 which aims to raise awareness on social security protection among Filipinos.
"[I]t is imperative to recognize SSS (Social Security System) and GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) pensioners for their valuable contribution to national development and raise awareness on social security protection as a critical development strategy to address vulnerabilities, social inequities, and the loss of income or financial burden brought about by old age, permanent total disability, death, and other contingencies," the President said in the proclamation.
It was stressed in the proclamation that one of the key pillars of the current administration's 8-point socioeconomic agenda was to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen social protections. Thus, the pensioners' week was declared to be observed annually.
The SSS and GSIS were directed to lead the observance and celebration of the National Pensioners' Week. Both agencies will also be responsible in identifying programs, activities, and projects for the annual celebration.
All agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), were directed to actively participate and render the necessary support to SSS and GSIS for the effective implementation of the proclamation.
All local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, as well as the private sector, on the other hand, were encouraged to do the same.
The proclamation was signed on Sept. 10.
Recently, the SSS Pension Reform Program, a multi-year pension increase that provides annual adjustments for all pensioners every September from 2025 to 2027, was launched.
Under the program, retirement and disability pensioners will receive a 10-percent annual pension increase while death/survivor pensioners will also receive a five-percent annual increase.
As a result, after three years, pensions will have increased by 33 percent for retirement/disability pensioners and 16 percent for death/survivor pensioners.