THE Social Security System (SSS) held its annual Pensioners' Day in 19 venues nationwide as part of the celebration of its 69th Anniversary.
"We institutionalized this activity as an expression of gratitude to them for their significant contribution to our society," said SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro.
Nearly 4,000 pensioners participated in the celebration themed "Bawat Isa Protektado, Bawat Bukas Sigurado" (Everyone Protected, Every Tomorrow Secured).
De Claro encouraged retiree and surviving spouse pensioners to avail themselves of the Pension Loan Program (PLP).
Launched in September 2018, the PLP offers low-interest loans without requiring automated teller machine cards as collateral. It was expanded in September 2025 to include surviving spouse pensioners.
"The SSS pension loan is a secured cash loan with a transparent interest rate of 10 percent per year, computed based on a diminishing principal balance," de Claro said.
Qualified pensioners may borrow three, six, nine, or 12 times their aggregate monthly pension (AMP), up to a maximum of P300,000, with repayment terms of six, 12, or 24 months.
Meanwhile, surviving spouse pensioners may borrow 50 percent of their AMP multiplied by three, six, nine, or 12 months, up to P150,000, with terms of six or 12 months.
The AMP covers the basic monthly pension and the P1,000 additional benefit, excluding the dependent's pension.
Borrowers are assured of retaining a net take-home pension of at least 40 percent of their AMP once amortizations begin.
To avail themselves of the PLP, pensioners must register on the SSS website with updated contact information and an enrolled disbursement account.
Surviving spouse pensioners must have an SSS number and must be registered on the SSS website with updated contact information and an enrolled disbursement account.
"Pension loan proceeds will be credited to the borrower's existing pensioner disbursement account or to another account enrolled through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module," de Claro said.