Teachers, government workers may retire at 56 under proposed GSIS amendment

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio welcomed the committee approval of a proposed measure seeking to lower the optional retirement age of government workers, including public school teachers, from 60 to 56 years old.

The House Committee on Government Enterprises approved on Thursday House Bill No. 207, a measure co-authored by Rep. Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co, proposing an amendment to Section 13-A of Republic Act No. 8291 or the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) Act of 1997, which mandates the optional retirement age among government workers at 60 years old.

“The committee approval of HB 207 is an important step toward a more humane retirement policy for teachers and government workers who have devoted their lives to public service,” Tinio said in a news release. “This bill gives them a real choice to retire earlier at 56, after years of exhausting work that takes a toll physically, emotionally, and psychologically.”

Tinio stressed that the proposed measure answers a long-standing demand raised by teachers in consultations, as many teachers are forced to work until late in life despite illnesses and the heavy burdens of the job.

Citing the conditions of Philippine public schools, he noted that teachers routinely face large class sizes, high pupil-teacher ratios, and workloads that go beyond official hours. He added that teachers work far beyond the six hours of official instruction time because of advisory loads, paperwork, and duties even during supposed vacation months.

"Public school teachers often leave the profession not with satisfied smiles but with illnesses. Their retirement benefits end up going to medical bills instead of rest, family needs, or building a small livelihood. Lowering the optional retirement age is a matter of dignity and respect for their years of sacrifice,” Tinio said.

He, however, emphasized that the bill does not reduce the compulsory retirement age, but expands the option for earlier retirement, allowing those who are already worn down by decades of work to step back sooner if they choose so.

“We are addressing concerns on sustainability while pursuing what is right for our teachers and government employees. We urge House leadership to fast-track HB 207 to plenary, and we call on the Senate to pass a counterpart measure so this can become law as soon as possible,” he said.

“Karapat-dapat lang na mabigyan ng opsyon ang mga guro at kawani ng gobyerno na magretiro nang mas maaga para maranasan nila ang mas mahaba at mas malusog na panahon ng pahinga.”