frequently asked questions
On MAPSA RETIREMENT PLAN
Who are the participating employers of the MAPSA Retirement Plan?
Most MAPSA member-schools and the MAPSA Secretariat Office are participating employers of the MAPSA Retirement Plan. However, MAPSA member schools who enrolled in another retirement plan prior to the operation of the MAPSA Retirement Plan may maintain such prior plan if such is to the greater benefit of their employees.
May a MAPSA member-school which has adopted another plan enroll in the MAPSA plan should it wish to discontinue its existing plan ?
Yes, it may, by writing a letter of application to the Chairman of the MAPSA Retirement Board. Such letter should be signed by the chairman of the school’s board of trustees and should signify the intention to enroll in the MAPSA Plan. After this is done, the Secretariat shall assist the school, where possible, facilitate the transfer.
When does a participating employer cease to become a member of the Plan?
There are three instances when membership of a participating employer is terminated:
- When it willfully ceases to pay the contributions due to the fund.
- When it voluntarily withdraws due to adverse factors.
- When the plan itself ceases to become operative in which case the Fund shall be allocated and distributed accordingly to all bonafide members.
In case of voluntary withdrawal from the plan, the participating employer shall write a notice of termination to the MAPSA Retirement Board whereby the withdrawal shall become effective fifteen ( 15) days after the termination has been approved by the Retirement Board.
Who of the employees of a participating employer may be entitled to become members of the Plan?
An employee of a participating employer who has duly accomplished and sent to the MAPSA Secretariat the ENROLLMENT FORM becomes a member of the Plan provided payments due to maintain the employee’s coverage is made by the employer.
Who of the employees of a participating employer may be entitled to become members of the Plan?
An employee of a participating employer who has duly accomplished and sent to the MAPSA Secretariat the ENROLLMENT FORM becomes a member of the Plan provided payments due to maintain the employee’s coverage is made by the employer.
When does membership of an employee enrolled in the Plan cease?
Membership of an employee in the Plan ceases automatically when the member’s service for the participating employer ceases. Membership is, however not disrupted subject to specified conditions should the member take up employment immediately with another participating employer.
How long is an employer obliged to pay for the retirement contributions of his/her employee ?
For as long as employed, the employer is obliged to pay the employee’s retirement contributions.
The employer’s obligation ceases when an employee resigns, retires, is terminated or dies in the course of having been employed.
What are the benefits provided for in the Plan?
Membership of an employee in the Plan ceases automatically when the member’s service for the participating employer ceases. Membership is, however not disrupted subject to specified conditions should the member take up employment immediately with another participating employer.
On MAPSA SALARY LOAN
How much is the interest charged ?
A salary loan is charged six per cent (6%) per annum
In case a semi-monthly deduction is missed, how much is the delinquency interest?
Any semi - monthly payment not paid on time will be charged an interest of one percent (1%) a month until it is fully paid.
Employers who fail to remit to the MAPSA Retirement Office the semi- monthly installments of salary loans on due dates shall be penalized one per cent interest a month on the failed remittance until said remittance is received by the Retirement Office.
In case of Transfer, Separation or Resignation, how can a borrower pay back his\her loan?
In case the borrower transfers, retires or resigns from the school, her/his last employer should deduct the balance of the loan from whatever benefits are due to the employee. The employer must also indicate the final employment status of the borrower in the remarks column of the collection list.
If there is not enough amount to cover the outstanding balance, the borrower who transferred or is transferring to another school / company should inform his new employer immediately of the loan so that the employer can make deductions from his salary, thereby allowing him to continue to pay the loan and hence, avoid penalty. Otherwise, he / she should pay the balance directly to the MAPSA Retirement Office .
How does a member apply for the benefits due to him/her ?
The member can apply for benefits personally or through his/her participating employer. The documents needed to support the application are:
- Letter of endorsement addressed to the Chairman of the MAPSA Retirement Board and signed by the School Director.
- Official service record issued by the school.
- Approved resignation and/or doctor’s certificate for disability in case of separation, death certificate in case of death or birth certificate in case the of normal retirement.
The required applicable document among those mentioned above should be submitted to the MAPSA Retirement Office or thru the eRet Plan for processing.
What contributions are paid to the Fund?
These are two:
- Current Service Contributions
These refer to the contributions paid to the Fund from the date of acceptance of the participating employer into the Plan. On the part of the employer,this amounts to 3% of the basic salary of each member and which was increased to 3.5% in June,1982
In January, 1983, the Plan became participatory and the employee presently remits 3% of his/her basic salary to the fund . This is actually a savings for him/her.
- Past Service Contributions
These refer to contributions paid by the Participating Employer into the Fund for the credit of each member covering the period of the member’s employment prior to the date of effectivity of the Plan or the acceptance into the Plan of a participating employer. This equals 3% of the average basic salary of the member employees based on the ten/twelve month period immediately preceding the date of acceptance of the participating employer into the Plan.
When are the monthly contributions of both participating employer and employee remitted to the Fund?
Remittance to the MAPSA Retirement Office is within the first week of each month following the period covered by the payment.
Republic Act 7641- Retirement from the Service. Art. 287
In the absence of a retirement plan or agreement providing for retirement benefits of employees in the establishment, an employee upon reaching the age of sixty (60) years or more, but not beyond sixty-five (65) years which is hereby declared the compulsory retirement age, who has served at least five (5) years in the said establishment, may retire and shall be entitled to retirement pay equivalent to at least one half (1/2) month salary for every year of service, a fraction of at least six (6) months being considered as one whole year.
Unless the parties provide for broader inclusions, the term one half (1/2) month salary’s shall mean fifteen (15) days plus one-twelfth (1|12) of the 13th month pay and the cash equivalent of not more than five (5) days of service incentive leave.