GSIS increases funeral benefit to P50,000
Government workers and pensioners can now receive higher financial assistance for their loved ones, as the Government Service Insurance System has increased their funeral benefit.
In an announcement, the company said that they have raised their funeral benefit from P30,000 to P50,000 for all claims arising from deaths occurring on or after July 13.
"The increased funeral benefit provides families with greater financial assistance to cover funeral costs at the time of loss, allowing them to focus on honoring their loved ones with dignity," they said.
"Every family deserves support and dignity when they lose someone they love. Raising the funeral benefit to P50,000 means the GSIS stands beside our members’ families at the exact moment they need us most," added GSIS president and General Manager Wick Veloso.
Since GSIS extends funeral assistance to approximately 21,000 to 25,000 families nationwide each year, it noted that it will allocate up to P1.25 billion annually to sustain this increased support.
The benefit is available to qualified active members, separated members entitled to future separation or retirement benefits, old-age pensioners, retirees who opted for retirement under Republic Act 1616 despite being of pensionable age under RA 8291, and members who retired under RA 1616 before RA 8291 took effect, provided they had rendered at least 20 years of government service.
The company noted that the funeral benefit is a one-time payment only, payable to a single qualified beneficiary or claimant.
It is paid to the deceased member’s qualified beneficiaries following this order of priority: the legitimate spouse; the legitimate child who paid for the funeral expenses; or, in the absence of both, any person who can present sufficient proof of having shouldered the funeral expenses.
To be eligible, claimants must submit necessary documents, such as the member’s death certificate, a valid government-issued identification card, and other supporting records. Non-spouse claimants must also present proof that they paid the funeral expenses.
GSIS earlier implemented a three-month loan moratorium called "Balik Ginhawa" via a refund scheme in order to "provide relief to government workers while maintaining the stability of the fund, in line with the national government's continuing efforts to ease the financial burden on Filipinos."
Through the program, GSIS is offering to refund three months of members' payments for loans taken out between December 2025 and February 2026. The funds will be deposited directly into members' bank accounts and will be available for immediate use.
While loan deductions will continue, there will be no added interest or penalties for the three-month refund. The loan term will just be extended by three months.
Unlike more common loan moratoriums, where debtors may temporarily stop payments for a specific period, Balik Ginhawa's refund mechanism allows members to receive the equivalent of three months' loan payments all at once.
Members may apply for the Balik Ginhawa program on the GSIS Touch app.
