Don't worry, pensioners, you'll still get your benefits for the duration of the lockdown.
Due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the Social Security System (SSS) has ammended the guidelines on the temporary suspension of the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP), extending the deadline for affected pensioners.
Launched in 2012, the ACOP "requires pensioners to annually report to the SSS to ensure the continuous payment of their benefits under the Social Security Law."
SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio confirmed that pensioners who has yet to comply with the program for this calendar year — which covers birth months from January up to the end of the community quarantine (CQ) — will still receive their monthly benefits until the next month of the final day of the local lockdown.
Part of the statement read, "Once the entire country is under the new normal, meaning all forms of CQ have been lifted, the said pensioners will be given 60 days to comply with the ACOP requirement. Should they fail to comply within the said period, only then will their monthly pensions be suspended."
The SSS did point out that verification processes and activities are continuously implemented for Filipino residents. The office also gave instructions on how to accomplish the necessary requirements to those living abroad and whose pension got suspended due to non-compliance.
Ignacio was quoted, "Despite the gradual easing of community quarantine restrictions, we have decided to err on the side of caution and extend the temporary ACOP suspension. The health and safety of our members and pensioners remain our top concern."
For more information, read the full SSS statement:
