Retirement Eligibility and Pension Conditions
- Retirement with pension benefits upon:
- Attaining 70 years of age.
- Resignation due to incapacity.
- At age 65 with 20 years of service, including 15 continuous years.
- Pension equals the last received salary for life.
- Prohibitions while receiving pension include:
- Appearing as counsel in civil cases against the government.
- Participating in criminal cases involving government officers related to their office.
- Collecting fees in administrative proceedings adverse to the government.
- Pension suspension if retired judge assumes an elective public office.
Death Benefits for Judiciary Members
- Lump sum death benefits to heirs based on last salary:
- Five years for Justices with sufficient service.
- Three years for Judges who die in service before age 70, payable in three annual installments.
- Two years for Judges retired for illness or reaching age 70 without required service, payable in two annual installments.
- Reimbursement of premiums paid under the Act included.
- This benefit also applies to incumbent judges retiring early due to certified incapacity or age limit.
Retirement Benefit Payments
- Upon retirement:
- Justices receive a lump sum equivalent to five years of last annual salary.
- Judges receive a lump sum equivalent to three years of last annual salary.
- After lump sum period, surviving retiree receives a monthly annuity equivalent to monthly salary at retirement for life.
Options Concerning Prior Retirement Gratuities
- Retiring judges or justices entitled to choose benefits between this Act and any prior retirement gratuity laws.
- Only one set of benefits can be chosen.
- Those who retire under earlier laws and later get reappointed are entitled to this Act’s benefits, subject to refunding previously received gratuities.
Administration and Funding
- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is responsible for enforcement and operation.
- Eligibility requires monthly premiums of one hundred pesos to GSIS from appointment or from the month following the Act’s approval.
- Benefits funded by GSIS monthly premiums.
Repeal and Appropriation
- Commonwealth Act No. 536 and conflicting provisions are repealed.
- Necessary funds appropriated from the National Treasury.
- The Act takes effect upon approval.
This Act comprehensively extends retirement, pension, and death benefits to higher judiciary and certain lower courts, enforced by the GSIS, placing conditions on pensioners regarding their post-retirement activities and providing detailed provisions for benefit payments and reimbursements.