The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is a vital institution that serves as the government's social security arm in the Philippines. Its primary mandate is to provide various insurance and financial benefits to government employees and their dependents. GSIS plays a crucial role in securing the retirement years of government workers by offering comprehensive retirement and pension programs. Through its efficient management of funds and prudent investment strategies, GSIS ensures that government employees have a reliable and stable source of income during their retirement, promoting financial security and well-being for them and their families.
Even in the unfortunate event of a GSIS member's passing, whether during active government service or as an old-age pensioner, the GSIS remains committed to ensuring the well-being of their dependents and surviving heirs. Through compassionate provisions like death claims and related benefits, the GSIS continues to extend assistance to the deceased member's family. By promptly processing and disbursing these cash benefits, the GSIS helps alleviate financial burdens and provides a measure of security during a challenging time. This underscores GSIS’ dedication to safeguarding the interests and welfare of both its members and their loved ones, even beyond the member's lifetime.
When surviving heirs and dependents initiate the benefits claiming process with the GSIS, several essential documentary requirements must be prepared. Among these, PSA certificates hold particular significance. These certificates, such as birth or marriage certificates issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), play a crucial role in confirming both the claimant's identity and their relationship to the deceased GSIS member. By providing these documents, claimants help establish the necessary legal connections, facilitating a smooth and accurate verification process. This meticulous attention to documentation ensures that the benefits distribution process is efficient, transparent, and aligned with the GSIS's commitment to supporting its members' families in times of need.
Today's blog aims to provide a concise and comprehensive breakdown of the specific requirements associated with various types of survivorship claims that can be filed at the GSIS. By meticulously itemizing these requirements, the blog seeks to offer clear guidance to readers on the necessary documents and information needed for each claim category. Whether it's for survivorship pension, lump-sum benefit, or other forms of support, the blog intends to simplify the process by presenting a user-friendly resource that ensures claimants are well-prepared and informed when approaching the GSIS for their rightful benefits.
Survivorship Claims and Benefits
According to the GSIS website, a GSIS member or pensioner’s surviving spouse is entitled to 50% of the basic minimum pension received by the deceased member or pensioner. This will be released to the legal husband or wife even if he or she is still gainfully employed or is already receiving pension funds from other sources. On the other hand, the deceased member, or pensioner’s children, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, and are not yet of legal age, are entitled to 10% of the basic minimum pension.
Eligibility Requirements
The legal spouse is the primary beneficiary of a deceased member or pensioner. He or she shall receive the applicable survivorship benefits for life unless he or she remarries or cohabits with another person (live-in relationship).
The member's children, irrespective of their legitimacy, are also recognized as primary beneficiaries. Nevertheless, the survivorship benefits will conclude upon their attainment of the legal age of maturity (18 years old for pensioners under RA 8291 and 21 years old for pensioners under RA 660 and PD 1146). If a child is unable to independently provide for themselves due to pre-existing mental or physical conditions before reaching the legal age of maturity, the survivorship benefits will persistently be disbursed.
If the deceased member is single, or does not have children, the survivorship benefits shall be given to his or her parents who are considered as the secondary beneficiaries. This shall apply only when the deceased does not have primary beneficiaries.
List of Requirements when Filing a Claim for Survivorship Benefits
Documentary Requirements
-
Basic Documents
- Application Form
- Certification by agency/employer as to whether the deceased has a pending administrative/criminal case
- PSA Death Certificate of member/pensioner
- Last Day of Actual Service; and
- Two (2) valid IDs of payees
-
If Married
- PSA Marriage Certificate between the deceased and his/her spouse
- PSA Birth Certificate of spouse if spouse is not a GSIS member
- PSA Birth Certificate/s of minor/incapacitated children
- If with minor/incapacitated children, Affidavit of Guardianship
- If the legal guardian is not the natural parent, the affidavit should be supported by a Certification from the Barangay and DSWD
-
If Single
- If with minor/incapacitated children, Affidavit of Guardianship
- If the legal guardian is not the natural parent, the affidavit should be supported by a Certification from the Barangay and DSWD; and
- PSA Birth Certificate of guardian if the guardian is not a GSIS member
-
If without primary beneficiary (with Parents)
- PSA Birth Certificate of member
- PSA Marriage Certificate of member’s parents
- PSA Birth Certificate of member’s parents if parents are not GSIS members/pensioners.
-
If without primary beneficiary (without Parents; with Siblings)
- PSA Birth Certificate of member
- PSA Marriage Certificate of member’s parents
- PSA Death Certificate of member’s parents
- PSA Birth Certificate of member’s parents
- Affidavit of Surviving Legal Heirs stating among others that affiants are the only surviving legal heirs of the deceased member, their date of birth and relationship to the deceased member and that they are executing the document for the purpose of claiming the benefit from GSIS
- PSA Birth Certificate of all the siblings of the deceased member
- PSA Marriage Certificate of all the female siblings of the deceased member
- If with deceased brother or sister, extra judicial settlement among the legal heirs of the deceased brother / sister of the member designating one payee.
-
Additional Requirements for Muslim Members
- Proof of Surviving legal heirs indicating all the wives and children
- If only one (1) spouse is claiming: submit duly notarized affidavit that her husband has no other marriages/wife
- Court Order for Guardianship should be issued in the absence of parent for minor children
- Application for survivorship must be duly endorsed by the office and a certification indicating the legal spouse/s and children/s of the deceased.
Understanding these options and their associated prerequisites is essential for ensuring a seamless process when seeking rightful support. GSIS remains committed to helping members' families during challenging times, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and offer a measure of security. By adhering to the specified documentation and following the outlined steps, beneficiaries can confidently navigate the benefits claiming process.
