RECEIVED
Dave:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

acs Zapf

Quezon City

BY.
‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.

First Regular Session

BILLS ANO INDEX SERVICE
nousesuno, 1780 _ 7

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to lower the mandatory age of retirement for government
employees by amending Sections 13 (b) and 13-A of Republic Act 8291, otherwise
known as the “Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997.” The said law
provides among others a compulsory retirement age of sixty-five (65) with at least
fifteen years of service and an optional retirement at age sixty (60).

A younger retirement age of sixty (60) and fifty-five (55) will pave the way to
giving more employment opportunities in the Civil Service to thousands of new
graduates and young professionals who have fresh optimism, vigor, agility, and
idealism. At the same time, it can further increase productivity in the government as
well as help decrease the unemployment rate in our country.

Moreover, by redirecting the existing retirement age bracket, the retirees can
enjoy the fruits of their hard work and dedication to public service while still at a
productive age.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

0,
—“"WaNcy ‘A. CATAMCO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1780

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. NANCY A. CATAMCO

AN ACT LOWERING THE RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 8291 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “THE
GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM ACT OF 1997” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended to read, as follows:
“SECTION 13. Retirement Benefits.

(b) Unless the service is extended by appropriate authorities, retirement shall be
compulsory for an employee at SIXTY (60) [sixty-five (65)] years of age with at least fifteen
(15) years of service: Provided, That if he has less than fifteen (15) years of service, he may
be allowed to continue in the service in accordance with existing civil service rules and
regulations.”

SEC. 2. Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 is likewise hereby amended to read, as
follows:

"SECTION 13-A. Conditions for Entitlement. — A member who retires from the service shall
be entitled to the retirement benefits in paragraph (a) of Section 13 hereof: Provided, That:

(1) he has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service;
(2) he is at least FIFTY-FIVE (55) [sixty (60)] years of age at the time of retirement; and
(3) he is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total disability.”


SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Government Service Insurance
System, the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission shall draft
the necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement this law thirty (30) days from
publication of this Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — if any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,