THE Social Security System has reduced the compulsory retirement age for professional racehorse jockeys, from 60 years old to 55 years old, in compliance with Republic Act 10789 or the Racehorse Jockeys Retirement Act.
Based on RA 10789, the reduced age is to protect racehorse jockeys from the “inherent dangers of their profession which causes life-threatening injuries, permanent disability or even death.”
“Considering the danger the racehorse jockeys encounter, the new policy will allow them to enjoy their retirement benefit five years earlier than other SSS members,” said SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc.
In the Department of Labor and Employment Order No. 169, the new compulsory retirement age covers those who have been employed and certified as a racehorse jockey by an employer licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission.
In addition, they must have also worked as a racehorse jockey for at least five years, either continuous or intermittent, prior to the semester of retirement which actual date falls not earlier than May 24, 2016, the effectivity date of the Racehorse Jockeys Retirement Act.
However, the DOLE order emphasized that the compulsory retirement age of 55 is applicable only in the absence of an approved retirement plan by the employer.
Aside from the requirements given by DOLE, a racehorse-jockey SSS member must have paid at least 120 contributions to qualify for monthly retirement benefits under the SSS otherwise, the member will only receive a lump sum benefit. The member, however, has the option not to file the SSS retirement benefit claim application and instead continue to contribute to complete the required 120 contributions to qualify for a monthly pension.
“If upon reaching the age of 55 and the racehorse jockey has already retired not earlier than May 24, 2016 but has not met the required 120 SSS monthly contributions, he may continue paying the lacking contributions. His retirement date will be the month after the semester of his 120th contribution,” said Dooc.
As an example, Dooc explained that a racehorse jockey who continued paying SSS contributions, because he is still not qualified for an SSS monthly pension when he reached his compulsory retirement not earlier than May 24, 2016, and completed the 120th contribution on December 2019 can apply for an SSS retirement benefit by April 2020.
To date, only underground and surface mineworkers whose actual date of retirement is not earlier than April 27, 2016 have optional retirement at age 50 with mandatory retirement age at 60 years old pursuant to Republic Act 10757.
For more details on the retirement claim application for racehorse jockeys, call the SSS Call Center at 920-6446 to 55 or email member_relations@sss.gov.ph.