The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will strictly conform to provisions of the law that defines the eligibility for survivorship pension starting March 2010.
As stated in the Republic Act 8291, also known as the GSIS Act of 1997, “Only qualified dependent spouses, children, or both can apply for this benefit starting March next year.”
The GSIS referred to Section 20 of RA 8291, which states that only “dependent” spouses and children are qualified to receive survivorship benefits.
“Therefore, a legitimate spouse who is gainfully employed is not entitled to receive the survivorship benefit because he/she is not dependent on his/her spouse for support,” the GSIS said.
In line with this, the GSIS said it will start suspending the monthly benefits of the spouses of deceased pensioners who are found to be gainfully employed or have other sources of income.
The GSIS said new or existing survivorship pensioners working in the government or private sector, gainfully engaged in a business, or currently receiving other pension are not qualified for the survivorship pension. (GSIS/PIA)
