Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
1st Regular Session 
    HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa  T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill proposes an amendment to Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291, or "The 
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997," with the aim of reducing the 
optional retirement age for government employees from 60 to 56 years old. 
Currently, government workers can choose to retire at 60, provided they meet other 
service requirements, while mandatory retirement remains at 65. 
The core purpose of this proposed change is to offer government employees greater 
flexibility, enabling them to retire earlier and enjoy more years of their retirement in good health, 
pursue personal interests, or embark on new ventures. This addresses the desire of some long-
serving employees to leave the workforce before the mandatory retirement age. 
Lowering the optional retirement age could also open up more opportunities for younger 
individuals to enter government service, potentially leading to a more dynamic and efficient 
bureaucracy with a faster integration of new talent and ideas. It could also help mitigate the issue 
of an "aging" workforce in some government agencies. 
Furthermore, this bill serves as a recognition of the many years of dedicated service by 
government employees, offering an earlier optional retirement as an additional benefit and an 
acknowledgment of their contributions to public service.  
July 21, 2025
12:15 pm
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While not the primary objective, an earlier retirement could also potentially stimulate 
economic activity as retirees engage in new endeavors, travel, or spend their pension benefits. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 REP. ELISA T.  KHO, M.D.,FPCCP
   REP.  ANTONIO T.  KHO       


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
 1st   Regular Session 
     HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa  T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
LOWERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT AGE OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS 
FROM SIXTY (60) TO FIFTY-SIX (56) YEARS, 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 by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. 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-SIX (56) years of age at the time of retirement; and 
“(3) [he] is not receiving a monthly pension benefit from permanent total disability. 
SEC. 2. This Act shall also apply to a qualified member who has retired or was 
separated from the service prior to the effectivity of this Act: Provided, That the benefits to be 
granted shall be prospective. 
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SEC 3. Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 is hereby amended. All other laws, executive 
orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or provisions thereof which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
 SEC, 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
 Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
  
Approved,