MANILA – Qualified Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensioners may apply for loans of up to ₱500,000 for residential solar energy systems beginning September 30.

GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan (GSEL) will be made available to eligible retirees through the GSIS Touch mobile application.

Under the program, qualified borrowers may secure up to ₱500,000, payable over five years at 5 percent annual interest with no service fee.

“Sa pagbubukas ng GSEL sa ating mga pensionado, binibigyan natin sila ng karagdagang financial option na maaaring makatulong na mapababa ang kanilang gastusin sa kuryente,” Veloso said.

GSIS launched GSEL for qualified active government workers in March. Official GSIS guidelines provide financing for residential solar panels, equipment, and installation costs, subject to the program’s requirements.

The expansion is among the benefits being highlighted for government retirees as GSIS recognizes pensioners for their years of public service.

Other changes previously implemented by GSIS include an increase in the funeral benefit from ₱30,000 to ₱50,000 for qualified claims involving deaths occurring on or after July 13, 2026.

GSIS has also removed the previous cap on survivorship pensions, allowing qualified surviving spouses to receive the full benefit equivalent to 50 percent of the deceased member or pensioner’s basic monthly pension.

The pension fund also abolished its previous cohabitation rule, meaning a survivorship pension is no longer stopped solely because a beneficiary lives with another partner. Remarriage remains a ground for terminating the benefit.

Meanwhile, nearly ₱20 billion had been returned as of September 21 through the original and enhanced Balik Ginhawa programs, covering almost 1.6 million loan contracts involving more than 700,000 qualified members and pensioners.

GSIS earlier reported that Balik Ginhawa had returned ₱19 billion to more than 700,000 members as of August 31, covering nearly 1.3 million loan contracts.

Qualified retirees may also access existing GSIS services such as pension and emergency loans, insurance and housing programs, as well as digital services through GSIS Touch.

Veloso said GSIS will continue adjusting its programs to provide financial and social protection to retirees beyond their monthly pensions.

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