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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 935
28 P5^25
HEAVES ir:
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
LOWERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT 
EMPLOYEES FROM SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD TO FIFTY-FIVE (55) 
YEARS OLD, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 13-A OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE 
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As of August 31, 2021, total career and non-career complement of the 
government totals 1,679,675, of which 300,671 (or 17.90%) are 56 to 65 years old.1 
This bill aims to lower the optional retirement age of government employees from 60 
to 55 years old by amending Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as “The 
Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997,” for the following reasons:
First, government employees who are eligible to retire at the age of 60 already 
belong to the vulnerable population, in that they are more prone to illness and disease 
by reason of their age. Hence, before they reach that crucial age, government 
employees of retirement age would rather begin enjoying their retirement, while they 
are healthier compared to what their physical state might be five years after.
Second, World Bank reports that as of 2020, the life expectancy of Filipinos is 
71 years old.2 If the earliest retirement age of eligible government employees is at the 
age of 60, the period where they can finally enjoy the fruits of their labor will be less 
than the required period of government service (which is 15 years). It will be just if their
1 Inventory of Government Human Resources (IGHR) Career and Non-Career as of August 31,2021. Civil Service Comrnission. 
Avaiiable at http;//www.csc.gov.ph/2014-02-21-08-28-23/pdf-fiies/category/1809-ighrs_2021.html (date last accessed; July 26, 
2022).
2 
The World Bank. Life expectancy at birth, total (years) - Philippines. Available at 
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN?locations=PH (Date last accessed. July 25, 2022).


retirement period is at least equivalent to the duration of their employment with the 
government.
Third, lowering the retirement age to 55 will encourage younger workers to join 
government service. The private sector, through the Social Security System, similarly 
provides retirement benefits for its members who reach the age 60. If government and 
private workers will retire at the same age, there is little incentive to work in the 
government service.
Finally, this is a form of incentive for our dedicated government workers who 
devoted at least 15 years of their life for public service.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR J0EL VILLANUEVA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 935
Jill 28 P5 25
RECeVEiPft
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT
LOWERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT AGE OF 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM SIXTY (60) YEARS OLD TO 
FIFTY-FIVE (55) YEARS OLD, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
SECTION 13-A OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8291, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM
ACT OF 1997”
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Lowering of Optional Retirement Age. - Section 13-A of 
Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as “The Government Service insurance 
System Act of 1997,” is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement -A member who 
retires from the service shall be entitled to the retirement benefits 
enumerated in paragraph (a) of Section 13 hereof: Provided, That 
SUCH MEMBER
(1) 
[he]has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;
(2) 
[he] is at least [sixty (60)] FIFTY-FIVE (55) years of age at the 
time of retirement; and


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(3) [he] is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent 
total disability.
PROVIDED, THAT SUCH MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE PENSION 
BENEFITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING 
SCHEDULE:
AGE
PERCENTAGE OF MONTHLY 
PENSION
55 TO 56
60%
57 TO 58
80%
59 ONWARDS
100%
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Government System Insurance System (GSIS), 
in consultation with concerned government agencies and other stakeholders, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of 
this Act.
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, administrative orders, rules and 
regulations or any parts thereof that are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,