QuestionsQuestions (GSIS Resolution NO. 46)
The mandatory retirement age of 65 is set by Section 13(b) of RA 8291 (Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997), subject to possible extension in accordance with civil service rules and regulations.
GSIS Resolution No. 46 supersedes Board Resolution No. 44 dated 22 March 2012. This is important because it updates/standardizes the treatment of premium payments beyond age 65 under the clarified guidelines.
They are no longer credited in the computation of Total Length of Service (TLS) and Periods with Premium Payments (PPP), subject to stated exceptions, and are returned to the members through the remitting agency.
They are credited to the member’s TLS and PPP unless the member opts for a refund of these premium contributions.
Regular Members are those required, together with their government agency, to remit life and retirement premium contributions as mandated under Section 5 of RA 8291.
Continuance of Coverage is compulsory: GSIS continues to collect contributions for those beyond 65 allowed to continue under existing civil service rules. Optional Continuance is voluntary: members may choose to continue paying contributions even beyond 65.
They include: (1) presidential appointees whose extension is approved by the Office of the President pursuant to EO 136, s. 1999; (2) non-presidential appointees whose services are extended by the CSC pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular No. 27, s. 2001 (to complete 15 years for retirement benefits); and (3) non-presidential appointees whose services are extended pursuant to RA 8292 and RA 9500 (higher education/UP charter contexts).
Included are: (1) elected officials who reach 65 during their term (allowed until end of term, including continuous re-election/election to another office); (2) President-appointed officials before 65 for fixed terms who reach 65 during tenure (allowed until end, including continuous term extension or re-appointment); and (3) officials/employees in co-terminus or highly confidential positions whose services are automatically extended until expiration of appointment or earlier termination under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 27, s. 2001.
PPP includes: (1) years of service corresponding to premiums collected prior to due month May 2012 not yet refunded; (2) extended services under Section III.C.1 (compulsory extensions); and (3) services pertaining to continued membership under Section III.C.2 (optional continuance).
Refund is for members who (1) opt not to continue membership after May 2012; (2) were erroneously issued a life insurance policy at age 65 and told to claim refund but did not comply; and (3) were continuously covered after 65 without a valid extension from OP or CSC (including scenarios where PPP/TLS did not include such periods, or their retirement claim was disapproved).
The personal share of the member is refunded for the period from the time the member reaches 65 up to the last payment remitted, and the government share is refunded to the agency for the same period, provided the agency has no arrears in remittances and reconciliation is done to ascertain account status.
Processing requires filing by the member through a letter or GSIS Member’s Request Form (MRF). For re-processing of previously disapproved separation/retirement claims, it requires receipt of a duly accomplished Application for Retirement and Other Social Insurance Benefit Form; submission of an MRF is required for refunds of premiums paid after reaching 65.
Members (through AAOs where applicable) must respond directly to GSIS or through their AAOs within 30 days from receipt of the notice/letter.
Non-submission results in discontinuance of membership coverage effective: (1) May 2012 for members already beyond age 65 upon issuance of BR 44; or (2) the month following the member’s 65th birthday for members turning 65 after issuance of the policy.
“Special Members” are excluded from the lists prepared for extraction and notifications. The policy directs the Membership Department/Operations Group to exclude Special Members from the list used for determining affected members during Phase I and also exclude certain extracted members again in Phase II.
The policy takes effect immediately. Significance: it governs actions from the date of approval/signing, including application of the May 2012 cut-off approach and the steps for notification/refund/PPP treatment without waiting for another effective date.