SSS Says: Remarried beneficiaries will lose entitlements

The Social Security System has warned that remarried beneficiaries of deceased pensioners will lose their entitlements and will be liable for prosecution if they encash pension checks that are sent to them.

SSS executive vice president Horacio Templo yesterday said that if found guilty, "persons who fraudulently withdraw pensions are liable under Republic Act 8282 and will be fined between P5,000 and P20,000 and be imprisoned from six to 12 years."

Under the law, a member who reached 65 years old, whether employed or not, is qualified to receive a retirement pension. But a 60-year-old pensioner who goes back to work and continues to receive pension violates the law.

Permanent disability pension is suspended once the member returns to work after recovering from his disability or if he fails to report to the SSS for annual confirmation.

Under the annual confirmation program, a pensioner is allowed to contact the SSS to confirm their entitlements.