Law School Noob: [FINTECH] Government employees may now check their GSIS records through the new Android-only GSIS Touch app

Monday, September 28, 2020

[FINTECH] Government employees may now check their GSIS records through the new Android-only GSIS Touch app

Regardless of your appetite for digital transactions, it is rather inevitable that many, if not all, of the things we do or need would have to be facilitated online. These include access to government services, such as social security insurance offered by the Government Service Insurance System or GSIS.

It is fair to say that over the years, GSIS has introduced ways to make member data accessible online. It has, for example, launched a web-based user platform called eGSISMo where government employees may log in to view their contributions, service record, and outstanding loan obligations, if any.

A mobile app version of eGSISMo was recently launched on 11 September 2020 via Google Play. Called GSIS Touch, the app is currently on its first version. Note that as of press time, the app is available only to Android users; a version for Apple users is yet to be launched.

Here's a quick run-through of GSIS Touch:

1. Signing up for an account is easy.

To create an account, you need to have your Business Partner (BP) number ready. The app will also prompt you to key in your birthday. The database of GSIS is integrated into the app, so new users no longer need to type in their demographic information except the one-time pin (OTP) to be sent automatically to the mobile number linked to the BP. New users are prompted to create a username and password following confirmation of the OTP.

2. The app provides you basic information on your membership profile, and that's probably all you need.

No need to go to a brick and mortar branch of GSIS or spend time on the customer service hotline for basic queries. The GSIS Touch app provides you your complete service record, which can be downloaded as a PDF file. This is very helpful for those interested in finding out adjustments made in their salaries over time and the duration of the positions they have handled.

Similarly, the app provides details of other services availed by member contributors. These include loan statements, compulsory and optional insurance policies, and pre-need plans, including college education assurance plans and memorial plans.

3. The app does not provide an option to update profile.

GSIS members needing to update their membership information would have to visit any of GSIS's physical branches. As an aside, the app has a list of the agency's branches and contact information, so that’s one less minor inconvenience to deal with.

4. Interested in applying for a loan? The app does not provide the maximum monetary value GSIS members are eligible to take out as a loan, nor is there a feature to facilitate loan applications.

GSIS has been making public announcements of the launch of its official app as far back as the first quarter of this year. The delayed launch of GSIS Touch may have been due in large part to events that happened later on, but its initial version isn't too shabby, all things considered.

There is obviously a lot of room for future improvement, but the current version of the app is a step towards providing government employees more avenues to check their social security contributions and be updated with their financial records.

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