QuestionsQuestions (GSIS Resolution NO. 79)
It approves and confirms the Policy and Procedural Guidelines on the eligibility of a surviving spouse to survivorship benefits amid issues on dependency and contrary claim or information, to ensure uniform implementation and proper determination of the correct beneficiary.
It references the Policy and Procedural Guidelines on Survivorship Benefits (PPG No. 207-11) approved under Board Resolution No. 45 (10 February 2011), later amended via Board Resolution No. 166 (14 July 2011) [PPG No. 207-11(a)] and Board Resolution No. 261 (15 December 2011) [PPG No. 207-11(b)].
It refers to whether the surviving spouse is dependent on the deceased member/pensioner such that the surviving spouse qualifies for survivorship benefits, especially where the spouses are separated in fact.
It provides rules for interpreting surviving spouse eligibility when there is conflicting or contrary information/claims, including determining the proper survivorship beneficiary.
To ensure that all offices apply the same revised rules consistently when processing claims involving dependency issues and conflicting claims.
PPG No. 207-11 provides general guidelines on survivorship benefits; Resolution No. 79 supplements it by issuing additional implementing guidelines specifically for the surviving spouse eligibility issues on dependency and contrary claims.
They serve as internal authoritative rules and procedures adopted by the GSIS Board to govern eligibility determinations and documentary requirements for claims.
They simplified the documentary requirements for beneficiaries or legal heirs to facilitate immediate processing of funeral, death, or survivorship claims.
It raises questions about whether the surviving spouse is “dependent” on the member/pensioner, which becomes an eligibility issue for survivorship benefits.
Because eligibility may be contested or affected by dependency issues and by contrary claims/information, requiring a correct identification of who is entitled to benefits.
It was certified correct by Atty. Maria Theresa Abesamis-Raagas (Corporate Secretary) and confirmed/signed by the GSIS Chairman and trustees listed in the document.
Adopted on 26 June 2014 and filed on 21 July 2014.
It clarifies that the existing survivorship guidelines were insufficient for cases involving dependency and conflicting claims, so the added rules govern interpretation and processing.
Whether the surviving spouse is dependent on the deceased member/pensioner despite the in-fact separation.
That GSIS not only sets substantive eligibility policy (who qualifies) but also procedural rules (how claims are processed, evaluated, and resolved when issues like dependency/contrary claims arise).