The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Old Age Pension is a government benefit granted to qualified Filipino veterans and their surviving spouses as a form of recognition for their honorable military service. Established under Republic Act No. 6948 and strengthened by amendments from RA 7696 and RA 11164, this pension program offers monthly financial support to aging or bereaved beneficiaries.
Originally designed for World War II veterans, it has since expanded to cover other eligible groups, reflecting the state’s continuing obligation to those who served the nation.
If you’re a veteran or the surviving spouse of one, and you are interested in this monthly pension as a regular financial support, this detailed guide will walk you through who qualifies, how much you can get, and exactly how to apply, step by step.
What Is the PVAO Old Age Pension?
The PVAO Old Age Pension is a monthly financial benefit provided by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), a government agency under the Department of National Defense. It is given to qualified veterans who have reached the age of 65 and to their surviving spouses who have not remarried. This pension serves as a form of sustained support and acknowledgment for their military service and sacrifices during wartime or in active duty. It helps cover daily living expenses, medical needs, and other essential costs in old age when income sources are often limited. More than just financial aid, the pension is a symbol of the nation’s commitment to honor and care for those who defended its sovereignty.
Background and Legal Basis
The PVAO Old Age Pension is being given in accordance with Republic Act No. 6948, enacted in 1990, which standardized and upgraded the benefits for military veterans in the Philippines. This law recognized the need to provide monthly pensions to veterans who were not receiving retirement pay from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In 1994, Republic Act No. 7696 amended RA 6948, expanding its coverage and clarifying the entitlement of surviving spouses to the same benefits. Later, Republic Act No. 11164, passed in 2018, increased the monthly pension for senior World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans from Php 5,000 to Php 20,000. Together, these laws form the legal foundation for the current old age pension program, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to support veterans and their families in recognition of their service.
Features and Benefits
The PVAO Old Age Pension program offers monthly financial assistance to eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to help with their everyday needs in later life. Benefits vary depending on the veteran’s service history and status at the time of application.
- Php 20,000 monthly pension for qualified World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans (non-AFP pensioners)
- Php 5,000 monthly pension for post-war veterans and surviving spouses
- Lifetime monthly support unless disqualified by remarriage or double compensation
- Retroactive payment from the approved effective date
- Priority handling for AFP retirees and simplified processes for verified PVAO pensioners
When the Pension Starts
The benefit generally starts from the veteran’s 65th birthday or their date of death, depending on circumstances.
- If the veteran is alive and applying: From their 65th birthday
- If the veteran is deceased: From the date of death
- If the veteran died between April 9, 1990, and April 9, 1994: Special conditions apply
Who Can Receive It?
You may apply if you fall into one of the following groups:
- Veterans aged 65 and above who rendered at least six years of honorable military service and are not receiving AFP retirement benefits
- Surviving spouses of eligible veterans who have not remarried
- Senior veterans of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War not receiving AFP pension
- Post-war veterans not covered by other military pension systems
- Legitimate claimants filing on behalf of deceased or incapacitated veterans under valid circumstances
Who Qualifies?
To qualify, applicants must belong to one of the recognized beneficiary groups and meet specific conditions related to military service, age, and marital status:
For Veterans
- Must be at least 65 years old
- Must have rendered at least six (6) years of cumulative military service
- Must have been honorably discharged or separated due to death/disability incurred in the line of duty
- Must not be receiving any other old age pension from the AFP or a similar benefit from another government agency
For Surviving Spouses
- Must be the legitimate, legal spouse of a deceased veteran
- Must not have remarried
- The deceased veteran must have met the service requirements (as above)
- Must not be receiving a similar pension for the same cause from the Philippine or U.S. government
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for PVAO Old Age Pension
To apply, here are the steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Start the Application
For Walk-In Applicants:
- Log your visit and get a queue number from the security guard
- Wait to be called and receive the application form and list of requirements
For Online Applicants:
- Download the forms at https://pvao.gov.ph/downloadable-forms/
- Email submission is only for AFP retirees or surviving spouses with existing AFP pensions: application.claims@pvao.gov.ph
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
General Requirements:
- Duly accomplished Application Form
- Two valid government-issued IDs
- Two recent 2×2 colored ID photos
Veterans must provide:
- Proof of Military Service:
- Military Service Record (MSR) for WWII veterans from NRD-OTAG
- MSR from Camp Crame for Ex-PC servicemen
- Enlistment Record and Report of Separation (for Philippine Scouts, dated on or before June 3, 1946)
- Proof of Age:
- PSA-issued or LCR-certified Birth Certificate
Surviving spouses must provide:
- PSA or LCR-certified Marriage Certificate
- Advisory of Marriages (for both deceased veteran and spouse)
- PSA or LCR-certified Death Certificate of the veteran
Additional Required Documents (If Basic Docs Are Incomplete):
- Proof of Military Service:
- Discharge certificate
- Form 23, 21, or 24
- Affidavit of two comrades-in-arms
- Proof of Birth:
- Certificate of non-availability (LCR/NSO)
- Baptismal certificate
- Joint affidavit of two disinterested persons
- Proof of Death:
- Certificate of non-availability (LCR/NSO)
- Joint affidavit of two disinterested persons
- Burial permit/interment record
- Casualty report
- Proof of Marriage (submit any two):
- Certificate of non-availability (LCR/NSO)
- Joint affidavit of two disinterested persons
- Birth certificate of a child
- Land title
- Declaration of beneficiaries
- If represented by someone else:
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA)
- Valid ID of representative and claimant
- Acknowledgment Receipt from PVAO
Step 3: Submit Documents
- Submit all documents to the Frontline Officer
- PVAO staff will review, evaluate, and create a document checklist
Step 4: Identity Verification and Oath
- Wait to be called for identity check
- Present your original IDs (must match the photocopies)
- Take an oath before the Administering Officer
Step 5: Encoding and Biometrics
- Your information will be encoded into the system
- Confirm all details on the screen
- Biometrics will be captured
- You will receive:
- Acknowledgment Stub
- Waiver of Rights and Undertaking
- After-Application Reminder
Step 6: Claims Processing
The application is endorsed to Claims Processors for review and evaluation. Depending on the case, this includes:
- Standard application review
- Further verification for WWII, identity, or legal issues
- Confirmation from issuing offices (especially for authenticity)
Step 7: Opening Bank Account
- Wait for notification from PVAO
- Proceed to your chosen bank (e.g. Land Bank) to open an account
- Submit:
- Bank Confirmation Slip
- Snapshot/photocopy of ATM/passbook
- Two valid IDs or SPA if represented
Step 8: Fund Processing and Release
Once verified, PVAO will:
- Confirm bank details in the system
- Request funding approval
- Forward documents for check issuance or bank transfer
- Notify you upon release of pension
Cost and Processing Timelines
To set your expectations, you need to take note of the following:
- Filing and processing at PVAO: Free of charge
- Document procurement (PSA, notarization, etc.): Varies depending on location
- Bank requirements (if any): Based on your chosen financial institution
As for the processing time, this will only apply provided that you have the complete requirements on hand.
- Walk-in application and verification: Same day (approx. 30–60 minutes)
- Claims processing:
- AFP Retirees: 7 working days
- Non-AFP Retirees & Spouses: 15 working days
- With document confirmation/verification: Up to 85 working days
- Bank account setup and fund release: 1 working day to 2 weeks depending on banking coordination
Total Timeline (from application to release):
- Minimum: 7 working days
- Maximum: 85 working days
Special Cases
For special cases, you may also want to check this list:
- Foreign Documents: Must be apostilled or authenticated by Philippine Embassy or Consulate
- Late Registrations: Requires affidavits and supporting evidence like baptismal records, school documents, barangay certificates
- Muslim Applicants: Must comply with Shari’ah court rules and submit Certificates of Confirmation or relevant affidavits
- Multiple Marriages (Muslim): Submit affidavits and documents supporting each marriage
- Presumptive Death: Provide police reports, affidavits, manifests, or AFP general orders depending on case
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For your reference, here are some of the most common questions and answers regarding the PVAO Old Age Pension application:
1. Can a child claim the pension?
Yes, but only if there is no surviving spouse.
2. What if documents are missing?
You may submit secondary proofs like affidavits or church records, as listed above.
3. How long does approval take?
Approval time may vary. If all documents are valid, 7 to 15 working days. If verification is needed, up to 85 working days.
4. Can I apply online?
Yes, but only the AFP retirees or spouses who are already receiving AFP pensions may apply via email.
Video: AFP-PVAO Unified ID Single ID System
Applying for the PVAO Old Age Pension takes some paperwork and patience, but it’s worth it as it offers steady financial support in recognition of the sacrifices of our veterans. If you are a veteran and you are eligible for this claim, just make sure your documents are ready, follow the process carefully, and reach out to PVAO if you need assistance. You may also apply for other benefits and learn how to secure the AFP-PVAO Unified ID Single ID System by watching this video below:
Where to Get Help
For inquiries or other concerns, you may reach out to PVAO via the following:
- Office Address: Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Compound, Col. Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City
- Telephone: (+63-02) 8912-4526, Claims – 09308361097, Finance – 09176688072, Records/updating- 09192123074
- Email Address: pvao.publicaffairs@pvao.gov.ph
- Website: https://pvao.gov.ph/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVAO1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePVAO