GSIS allows online reporting of pensioners
State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it will now allow the online reporting of pensioners as an alternative method to the yearly personal appearance requirement or annual pensioners information revalidation (APIR).
“Pensioners may report to GSIS through Viber, Facebook (FB) Messenger, Skype or Zoom after they have emailed the requirements for APIR. This contactless method will protect them from possible Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] transmission as well as ensure the continuous receipt of their pension,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said in a statement on Monday.
“Complying with online APIR is simple and easy. On their birth month, pensioners must email only two documents to GSIS: a letter requesting GSIS to activate their status and a photo of their unified multipurpose ID (UMID) or temporary eCard, or, in the absence of both, two valid IDs. The letter must indicate the date of request and the pensioner’s complete name, address, contact number and signature,” he said.
He noted, however, that surviving spouses will need to email a self-declaration that they have not remarried or cohabited with another person.
“The form is downloadable on our website, www.gsis.gov.ph. In the same manner, permanent disability pensioners must submit the original copy of the annual Medical Progress Report,” Macasaet said.
Pensioners must email the documents to the designated email address of the handling GSIS office.
Three days after receiving the request, GSIS will email an acknowledgement letter to the pensioner. It will also inform the pensioner of the details of the interview including the date, time and social media application or video conferencing software to be used in the ensuing interview with GSIS.
Pensioners will be given the option to choose the videoconferencing mode they prefer — Viber, FB Messenger, Skype or Zoom.
GSIS said online APIR is also recommended for pensioners who are 80 years old and above, those who are sick, disabled or have health issues affecting their mobility.
“We are constantly finding ways to harness technology to make transacting with GSIS convenient and safe for our members and pensioners,” Macasaet said.
Pensioners and other individuals who have inquiries on online APIR may visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph; GSIS Facebook Page, @gsis.ph; or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747 (if in Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM subscribers) and 1-800-10-847-4747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers).