MANILA – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has removed the ceiling on survivorship pensions, allowing widows and widowers of government workers to receive bigger benefits.

In a recently issued resolution, the GSIS Board granted surviving spouses their full entitlement under Republic Act 8291, or the GSIS Act of 1997. Survivors will now get 50 percent of the pension of the deceased member or pensioner without restriction.

“This policy shift was made to follow the law under Republic Act No. 8291. By lifting the cap, GSIS ensures that surviving spouses will receive what they are rightfully entitled to, while staying true to our duty of providing fair and adequate benefits,” GSIS officer-in-charge President and General Manager Juliet Bautista said in a news release Friday.

The previous rule capped survivorship pensions at 50 percent of the salary of an undersecretary (Step 8), limiting the amount survivors could claim.

GSIS said pensions will be automatically recomputed for those affected by the cap, while future survivors will likewise get the full entitlement.

The agency also assured its 1.8 million active members and nearly 450,000 pensioners that its fund remains financially stable to support the change. (PNA)