‘SSS, please share with pensioners your blessings’

I am one of the thousands of Social Security System pensioners. Our meager pension was last upgraded about 15 years ago when Joseph “Erap” Estrada was the president. And it hasn’t been increased since then. Considering the yearly inflation, how much is it worth now?

During Erap’s time, he requested the management of SSS to share with us pensioners some of SSS’ profits by increasing our pension. SSS complied with the request by giving us every year a 5 to 10 percent across-the-board increase to enable our pension to keep up with inflation. But when President Erap was deposed, our pension stood still on a plateau, its purchasing power miserably reduced year after year by inflation.

With most of us in our twilight years, the amount of our pension is now barely enough to buy the maintenance medicines we direly need to survive and enjoy the remaining years we have. President Aquino praised the war veterans for their service to the country. He promised to raise their pension. But we retirees remain forgotten.

Well, we also served our country, though in a different way. Some of us also died in the line of duty. Somehow we also helped in various capacities to keep our country’s economy going. President Aquino, we are sure, can find sound and compelling reasons for the SSS to increase our monthly pension.

To the SSS, please share with us some of your blessings and reduce some of the astronomical allowances and benefits of your staff members and employees.

—ANACLETO B. MATUTINA,

49 Mahiyain St.,

Teachers’ Village East,

Diliman, Quezon City