Social Security System (SSS) pensioners can look forward to a brighter Christmas as the agency announced on Monday that it has released the 13th month and December pensions worth P32.19 billion to over 3.6 million pensioners, starting as early as 29 November.

SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire P. Agas said the agency expedited the crediting of the 13th month and December 2024 pensions as a pre-Christmas gift for SSS and Employees’ Compensation (EC) pensioners.

“We are also aware of the plight of our pensioners who were not spared by the recent tropical cyclones that lashed the country in less than a month. The early crediting of these pensions can help address some of their financial needs as they try to rebuild their lives after a series of calamities struck the country,” Agas said.

Agas explained that the first batch of payments, amounting to P17.9 billion, was distributed to 2.09 million pensioners on November 29. This batch covered pensioners with contingency dates from the 1st to the 15th day of the month.

The second batch, released on 4 December, benefitted 1.52 million pensioners with contingency dates from the 16th to the last day of the month. This group received a total of P14.3 billion.

Additionally, Agas noted that around P41.6 million worth of 13th month and December pensions were distributed to more than 6,000 pensioners through non-PESONet participating banks and checks.

“Pensioners in non-PESONet participating banks got their pensions on December 4, meanwhile we have asked the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the checks of our pensioners in their home address,” Agas noted.

He added that pensioners who availed of the advance 18-month pension for their initial benefit received their 13th month pension on 4 December.

A tradition since 1988

Since December 1988, the SSS has granted the 13th month pension to SSS and EC pensioners. This benefit, equivalent to their monthly pensions, has been an annual tradition for 36 years, enhancing pensioners’ benefits and recognizing their contributions during their productive years.

Agas explained that retirement and survivor pensioners receive a 13th month pension equivalent to their regular monthly pensions, while total disability pensioners get a 13th month pension equal to their monthly pension, excluding the medical allowance.

“Member’s children receiving dependent’s pensions are also entitled to the 13th month pension, and partial disability pensioners can receive it if they have a pension duration of at least 12 months,” he added.

He concluded by emphasizing that the 13th month pension reflects the SSS’s commitment to its pensioners.