Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 660)
Under Republic Act No. 660, 'Employer' means the National or a local government, an agency, board, or corporation controlled or owned by the Government.
Any Filipino citizen in the service of the 'employer' as defined under the Act is considered an 'Employee'.
A 'Member' is any person insured under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
A 'Membership policy' refers to a life insurance policy with a monthly premium of two, five, or six percent of an employee's monthly salary or compensation.
Regular officers or enlisted men are those whose commission or enlistment is in the regular force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and not in the reserve force.
Membership is compulsory for all regularly and permanently appointed employees, including teachers (except substitutes), and regular officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Yes, elective officials may choose membership. They must notify the System in writing, comply with the requirements, be in government service when insurance takes effect, and pay premiums as prescribed for life insurance benefits, with employers matching the amount.
For life insurance, employees and employers each pay either 1% or 3% monthly of the employee's monthly salary depending on whether the employee is civilian or military personnel, with specific provisions for retirement insurance premiums depending on salary amount.
Payment begins on the last day of the third calendar month following the month this Act was approved or when the employee entered service, whichever is later, except that certain officials and military personnel are excluded.
Members are entitled to a life annuity payable monthly for at least five years and thereafter for life, based on age, years of service, and average monthly salary, with options for joint annuity, lump sum, or other approved benefits.
Any person involved in fraud, collusion, falsification, or misrepresentation related to this Act may be fined up to one thousand pesos, imprisoned for up to one year, or both, and can be disqualified from public office and practicing licensed professions.
No, life insurance policies and benefits under this Act are exempt from attachment, garnishment, or seizure for debts, except obligations owed to the employer.
Retirement is optional upon completing 30 years of service and attaining age 57, with provisions for varying conditions of service and age, automatic retirement at 65 with at least 15 years of service, and provisions for disability and forced retirement under certain circumstances.
Employers are required to deduct employees' premiums from their salaries monthly, remit both employee and employer's shares to the System quarterly, include necessary amounts in their annual appropriations, and may be fined for delays or failures in remittance.
Yes, members may apply for additional life insurance on satisfactory evidence of insurability, with premiums fully borne by the member and subject to limits relative to their annual salary.