Paano Nakakatulong ang Pag-IBIG Fund sa OFWs?

Paano Nakakatulong ang Pag-IBIG Fund sa OFWs? By Darlene Regis - November 23, 2020
Paano Nakakatulong ang Pag IBIG Fund sa OFWs

Paano Nakakatulong ang Pag-IBIG Fund sa OFWs?

Ang Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), o mas kilala sa tawag na "Pag-IBIG Fund," ay inilunsad upang tumugon sa national savings program at affordable shelter financing para sa Filipino worker. 

Sino ang maaring magregister bilang miyembro ng Pag-IBIG Fund?

With the signing of Republic Act No. 9679, effective January 1, 2010 membership to the Fund shall be mandatory for the following:

• All employees, workers, professionals, officers and companies who are compulsorily covered by the SSS and GSIS

• Uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine National Police

• All members of the judiciary and constitutional commissions

• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

• Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers, whether deployed locally or abroad.

Para sa mga gustong magpunta sa Pag-IBIG Fund Member Services Desk Office sa Qatar, kailangang magbook ng appointment online sa link na ito: https://pagibigfunddoha.setmore.com.

Para sa inquiries, tumawag sa +974 5021 1555 o mag-email sa popdoha@pagibigfund.gov.ph. Ang office schedule ay mula 8:00 AM hanggang 3:00 PM, tuwing Sunday to Thursday, Para sa sumusunod na services:

• Member Registration and issuance of RTN & MID Numbers

• Verification of local & overseas contributions.

• Housing Loan Assessment & Verification.

• Multi-Purpose/Calamity Loans inquiries

• Modified Pag-IBIG 2 Program (Mutual Fund)

• Member’s Change of Information (MCIF)

• Withdrawal of Pag-IBIG Overseas Program Savings

Narito ang iba pang gabay sa wikang Ingles:

What are the benefits of being a member of the Pag-IBIG Fund?

A Pag-IBIG member will enjoy the following benefits:

• Savings

• The contributions that an OFW member makes are credited to his Total Accumulated Value (TAV) or savings which are fully guaranteed by the national government.

The member’s savings earn annual dividends that are tax-free. The dividend rate varies depending on the net income of the Fund at yearend. For 2009 Pag-IBIG declared P8.5 billion in total dividends giving members a dividend rate of 5% on their savings.

Pag-IBIG savings are also portable, meaning, these remain in the name of a member even if he transfers employers, works abroad or becomes self-employed or even unemployed.

Short-Term Loan

A member is entitled to borrow short-term loans offered by the Fund to help address immediate financial needs.

Housing Loan

A member of good standing may avail of a Pag-IBIG home financing loan from the Fund with some of the lowest interest rates in the market, and repayment terms of up to 30 years. Pag-IBIG housing loans offer low monthly amortizations, making it possible for even low-salary employees to benefit from the program.

When can a Pag-IBIG member registered under the Mandatory Coverage (Pag-IBIG 1), withdraw his/her contributions?

A member may claim his Total Accumulated Value (TAV) after 20 years of membership with the Fund and after having made a total of 240 monthly contributions.

A member may also withdraw his savings before the 20-year maturity under these valid grounds:

• Retirement

• Permanent departure from the country

• Permanent or total physical disability

• Insanity

• Death of the member

• Termination from service by reason of health

• Optional withdrawal after 10 or 15 years of continuous contributions

Pag-Ibig Overseas Program is a Provident (Savings) Program of Pag-Ibig Fund for OFWs. Pag-IBIG Fund guarantees the refund of member’s total accumulated savings (TAV), which consists of the member’s accumulated contributions, the employer counterpart contributions if any, and the dividend earnings credited to the member’s account upon the occurrence of any of the following grounds for withdrawal:

1. Membership maturity.

The member must have remitted at least 240 monthly membership contributions with the Fund. For Pag-IBIG Overseas Program (POP) members, membership with the Fund shall be at the end of five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15), or twenty (20) years depending on the option of the member upon membership registration.

2.Retirement.

The member shall be compulsorily retired upon reaching age 65. He may however, opt to retire upon the occurrence of any of the following:Actual retirement from the SSS, the GSIS or a separate employer provident/retirement plan, provided the member has at least reached age 45.Upon reaching age 60.

3.Permanent and Total Disability or Insanity.

• The following disabilities shall be deemed total and permanent:

• Temporary total disability lasting continuously for more than 120 days;

• Complete loss of sight of both eyes;

• Loss of two limbs at or over the ankle or wrist;

• Permanent complete paralysis of two limbs;

• Brain injury resulting in incurable imbecility or insanity; and

• Such other cases which are adjudged to be total and permanent disability by a duly licensed physician and approved by the Board of Trustees.

4. Separation from the service due to health reason

5. Permanent departure from the country

6. Death.

In case of death, the Fund benefits shall be divided among the member’s legal heirs in accordance with the New Civil Code as amended by the New Family Code.

Effects of RA 9679 on OFW Pag-IBIG members

How does my POP membership differ from that under RA 9679?

The Pag-IBIG Overseas Program is entirely different from Pag-IBIG I. POP was a voluntary savings scheme for Filipinos abroad while membership under Pag-IBIG I is mandatory for Filipinos working abroad by virtue of RA 9679.

Do I have the option not to register under Pag-IBIG I since I am already a POP member?

Under RA 9679, all Overseas Filipino Workers are required to register under Pag-IBIG I, regardless if they are POP members or not. Other POP members (immigrants and those naturalized in other countries) may register voluntarily under Pag-IBIG I.

I am an OFW and a POP member as well, do I have the option to stop my POP membership and re-register for Pag-IBIG I membership instead?

Yes, you may discontinue your POP membership, provided you do not have an existing housing loan with Pag-IBIG Fund.

Can I continue with my POP membership and be a member under RA 9679 simultaneously?

Yes, a POP member is required to register under Pag-IBIG I but, at the same time, he may also opt to continue his POP membership.

When can I withdraw my POP TAV if I stop my POP contributions and register under RA 9679?

POP TAV may be withdrawn at point of maturity of POP membership.

Will my POP TAV and TAV under RA9679 be merged?

No, your TAV under both programs shall be kept separate. Your POP TAV will be released to you upon maturity of term even if your Pag-IBIG I membership is not yet due for release.

By Darlene Regis - November 23, 2020

Leave a comment

r