Timeframe for Release of Retirement Benefits
- Retirement benefits must be released within thirty (30) days from the employee's actual retirement date.
- Requirements for retirement must be submitted at least ninety (90) days prior to retirement.
- Government agency heads, GSIS, Pag-IBIG Fund, and DBM officers are responsible for compliance.
- GSIS must pay the retirement benefits on the last day of government service according to its Charter.
Handling Retirees with Pending Cases
- Pending cases causing lawful withholding of benefits must be resolved within three (3) months from retirement.
- Agency heads must ensure case termination or resolution within this period.
- If not resolved without justifiable reason, benefits must be released immediately without prejudice to case outcomes.
- Delays caused deliberately by the retirees themselves are excepted.
Scope and Coverage
- Applies to all branches, agencies, instrumentalities of the government, and GOCCs.
- Excludes Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel.
- Covers both compulsory and optional or early retirement authorized by law.
Penal Provisions for Non-Compliance
- Unjustified failure or refusal to release benefits within prescribed time is ground for administrative disciplinary action.
- Penalties include suspension without pay from six (6) months to one (1) year.
- Force majeure and insuperable causes exempt from penalties, suspending the 30-day period until such causes cease.
Rule-Making and Implementation
- The Civil Service Commission (CSC), after consultations, is tasked with promulgating implementing rules and regulations.
- Rules include uniform timeframes for advance filing and standardized processing periods.
- Responsibility for delays must be clearly identified in the rules.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared invalid, other unaffected provisions remain valid and effective.
Repealing Clause
- Laws, orders, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.