TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -2 P5:19 First Regular Session SENATE RECEI S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997" EXPLANATORY NOTE No less than the 1987 Constitution provides, in its declaration of policies, that the State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which was created by Commonwealth Act No. 186 as amended by Republic Act No. 8291, is a social insurance institution that provides financial benefits and social protection to government workers and their beneficiaries. Among said benefits provided by the GSIS are retirement packages to eligible government workers who have rendered the required years of at least 15 years of service. However, it is a reality that many individuals who leave government service before meeting the minimum years of service for benefits are left with little or no protection, effectively excluding them from the retirement safety net.
With this, it is the aim of this proposed measure to allow voluntary membership to members who have rendered at least nine (9) years of service in the government, and to allow them to continue paying for the remaining contributions needed for entitlement to GSIS retirement packages. Allowing voluntary contributions in GSIS will likewise align its policy with that of the Social Security System (SSS), thus ensuring fairness and consistency across public and private sectors, especially for those who have moved between the two. Enacting this proposed measure will allow for more flexible participation in social security through broader coverage for Filipinos who have served in government. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 'ANFILO M. LACSOI Senatc
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -2 P5:19 SENATE RECL S. Nó. 37 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT PROVIDING FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997" Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled:
Section 1. A sub-section is herein inserted after Section 3 of Republic Act No.
2 8291, otherwise known as "The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997' 3 to read as follows: "SECTION 3A - VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP - ANY MEMBER WHO HAS RENDERED AT LEAST NINE (9) YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT MAY OPT TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR THE REMAINING CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED FOR ENTITLEMENT TO FULL BENEFITS UNDER THIS ACT; PROVIDED, THAT, THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE REMAINING MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EMPLOYEE SHALL BE ENTIRELY BORNE BY THE MEMBER."
Sec. 2. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SECTION 4. Effect of Separation from the Service. - A member separated from the service shall continue to be entitled to whatever benefits he has qualified to in the event of any contingency compensable under this Actf-] WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE RIGHT OF THE SAID MEMBER TO OPT FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP TO THE GSIS AS PROVIDED IN THE PRECEDING SECTION."
Sec. 3. Section 13 (b) of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as
follows: "SECTION 13. Retirement Benefits. - (b) Unless the service is extended by appropriate authorities, retirement shall be compulsory for an employee at sixty-five (65) years of age with at least fifteen (15) years of service: Provided, That an employee who has less than fifteen (15) years of service, the employee may be allowed to continue in the service in accordance with existing civil service rules and regulations; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RENDERED AT LEAST NINE (9) YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE MAY AVAIL OF THE VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP PROVIDED IN SECTION 3A HEREOF FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPLETING THE CONTRIBUTIONS EQUIVALENT TO FIFTEEN (15) YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ENTITLEMENT TO FULL BENEFITS UNDER THIS ACT."
Sec. 4. Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read as
follows: "SEC 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement - A member who retires from the service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits enumerated in paragraph (a) of Section 13 hereof; Provided, that SUCH MEMBER: (1) [hel has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service, OR HAS COMPLETED THE CONTRIBUTIONS EQUIVALENT TO
• . FIFTEEN (15) YEARS AS A VOLUNTARY MEMBER OF THE GSIS PURSUANT TO SECTION 3A OF THIS ACT. (2) [he has] is at least sixty 60) years of age at the time of retirement; and, (3) [he] is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total disability."
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,