New SSS pensioners to receive pension hike by September
MANILA, Philippines — New retirement, disability, and survivor pensioners will not benefit from the Social Security System’s (SSS) early implementation of the 2026 pension increase this June.
They will have to wait until September to receive the increase as only pensioners on record as of May 31, 2026 are covered by the advanced rollout.
SSS’ Pension Reform Program (PRP) is a three-year pension adjustment that provides annual increases in monthly pensions from the years 2025 to 2027.
The said increases are usually implemented every September.
This year, however, SSS opted to advance the increase starting June 1 to “provide earlier financial relief to pensioners” amid rising prices.
Under the program, retirement and disability pensioners will receive a 10-percent increase in their monthly pensions, while death and survivor pensioners will get a 5-percent increase.
In a statement on Tuesday, however, SSS clarified that only pensioners as of May 31, 2026 are eligible to receive the increase this June.
“Those whose contingencies fall between June 1 and August 31, 2026, will receive their increased pension starting September 1, 2026,” the agency said.
Timely relief
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the agency decided to advance the rollout of the pension amid inflationary pressures and higher energy costs.
“With the early implementation, we hope to provide timely relief to our pensioners and their families as they continue to face everyday financial challenges,” de Claro explained.
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission Chairperson Frederick Go said the early rollout aims to help pensioners with “their daily needs and enjoy greater financial security sooner.”
According to SSS, approximately 4.1 million pensioners nationwide are expected to benefit from the increase.
About P6 billion in additional pension benefits from June to August 2026 will be released as part of the accelerated implementation. /gsg
