Comprehensive guide as of 2025. For general information only; not legal advice.

1) What benefits may be claimed upon a member’s death?

Pag-IBIG (HDMF) can release several distinct benefits and settlements when a member dies. You might be entitled to one or more of the following, depending on the member’s records:

Provident Savings (Regular/“Pag-IBIG I”)
- Employee & employer savings plus declared dividends up to the date of claim.
- This is the main lump sum under the Provident Benefits program.
Death Benefit (Provident add-on)
- An additional amount granted on top of the member’s provident savings, the exact value subject to Pag-IBIG’s prevailing schedule and rules at time of claim.
MP2 Savings (if the member enrolled in MP2)
- Full MP2 account balance(s) plus earned dividends according to the MP2 series’ rules (5-year terms, compounding/simple option).
Unclaimed short-term loan (STL) insurance settlement
- Outstanding Multi-Purpose/Calamity Loan balances may be covered by credit life insurance (subject to policy terms). Any excess collections after death may be refundable.
Housing loan settlement via MRI/SRI
- For a Pag-IBIG housing loan, the Mortgage/Sales Redemption Insurance (MRI/SRI) typically pays off the remaining loan balance (subject to policy terms, exclusions, contestability, and up-to-date premiums).
- After settlement, heirs handle estate tax, title transfer, and annotation cancellations.

Key point: Provident/MP2 benefits are separate from any housing-loan insurance claim. File both tracks if applicable.

2) Who gets the money? — Beneficiary hierarchy

Pag-IBIG follows beneficiary designation first, then legal heirs if none or if designation is invalid.

A) If there is a valid beneficiary designation on file

The named beneficiary(ies) in the member’s MDF/beneficiary form (or latest amendment) will receive the benefit in the proportions stated.
If a beneficiary predeceased the member and there’s no substitution, that portion typically accretes to the surviving beneficiaries, unless the form says otherwise.

B) If no beneficiary was designated or designation is invalid/unavailable

Benefits go to legal heirs following Philippine succession rules (intestacy).
Typical proofs include: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (legitimate/illegitimate/adopted), parents’ birth certificates if no descendants, and Affidavit of Self-Adjudication or Extrajudicial Settlement (EJS) when there is more than one heir.

C) Special notes

Common-law partners: Not heirs by law unless designated as beneficiary.
Illegitimate children inherit in intestacy but shares differ when together with legitimate relatives (beyond this article’s scope—prepare a clean EJS).
Minor heirs: Claims are paid to a judicially or legally recognized guardian (see §7).

3) Taxes & the estate

As a rule, benefits payable because of death can be part of the gross estate for estate-tax purposes, except amounts specifically exempted by law (e.g., certain insurance with irrevocable beneficiaries).
Pag-IBIG may require TINs of claimants and, in some cases, proof of estate tax settlement (e.g., eCAR or BIR acknowledgment), depending on amounts, type of benefit, and document trail.
Coordinate with the BIR early to avoid delays; bring your EJS and schedule of assets/benefits.

4) Where and how to file — overview

You may file at a Pag-IBIG Branch/Service Office handling provident claims (or the Housing Business Center for MRI/SRI). Some steps can be initiated online (appointment/queuing, downloadable forms), but originals are required upon release.

Core claim forms (typical):

Provident Benefits Claim (Death) application form
Member’s Data Form (MDF) or record extract (for verification)
Claim for Death/Survivorship supplemental form (if any)
For MP2: indicate MP2 account number(s)

Housing claims:

MRI/SRI claim forms, loan details, and mortgage documents are processed at the housing unit.

5) Documentary requirements (master list)

Prepare clear photocopies and bring originals for verification:

Identity & death

Death Certificate (PSA/LCRO) of the member
Valid government ID(s) of claimant(s) with 3 signature specimens
Member’s MID number (if known), any Pag-IBIG records/passbooks/MP2 account nos.

Status & relationship

Marriage Certificate (for spouse-claimant)
Birth Certificates of children (legitimate/illegitimate/adopted)
CENOMAR (if needed to prove member was single)
Parents’ IDs/birth certificates if claiming as parents

Beneficiary designation or heirs

Copy of beneficiary designation on file (Pag-IBIG can pull this from records)
If no valid beneficiary, provide Affidavit of Self-Adjudication (single heir) or Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate (multiple heirs), published as required, with Deed of Undertaking and IDs of all heirs
SPA (Special Power of Attorney) if a representative is filing/receiving on behalf of heirs
Affidavit of Guardianship/Court Order if a minor heir will receive proceeds

Bank & payout

Bank details (preferred partner bank/e-wallet, as allowed) in the heir/beneficiary’s name
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of each payee; BIR documents if Pag-IBIG requires estate-tax compliance for the release

For loans/insurance (if any)

Housing Loan: loan number, MRI/SRI policy details, Statement of Account, title/mortgage docs, and cause-of-death details for underwriting review
Short-Term Loan: loan card/number; Pag-IBIG/insurer will compute settlement and any refunds due

Bring extra copies. Keep a digital scan set for your records.

6) Step-by-step: Provident/MP2 death claim (typical flow)

Gather documents (see §5). Resolve heirship (EJS/affidavits) early.
Check Pag-IBIG records: confirm member’s MID, beneficiary designation, and whether there are MP2 accounts and/or loans.
Book an appointment (as required) with a Pag-IBIG branch/service office.
Submit claim forms and IDs; Pag-IBIG verifies membership, savings, dividends, and beneficiary/heir status.
Compliance stage: you may be asked for missing proofs (e.g., guardianship papers, SPA, BIR docs).
Processing & approval: Pag-IBIG computes provident balance, death benefit, MP2 balances, and offsets any valid obligations as permitted by policy.
Release: Proceeds are credited to the payee’s bank/e-wallet or released by check, as applicable. Sign acknowledgment and keep the release receipt.

Timeframe varies by completeness of documents, system verification, and whether an estate tax clearance is required.

7) Minors as heirs or beneficiaries

Pag-IBIG will not pay proceeds directly to minors.
Options:
- Judicial guardianship (RTC order naming a legal guardian) with bond/accounting rules, or
- Affidavit of Guardianship/parental authority where permitted by HDMF rules for limited amounts.
The guardian signs undertakings to hold in trust and use proceeds for the minor’s benefit; some releases require a restricted account.

8) Disputes among heirs or claimants

Pag-IBIG will not adjudicate complex succession disputes. If multiple parties claim with conflicting bases, HDMF may hold the release until you present:

a settlement signed by all heirs/claimants (EJS with publication), or
a final court order allocating the shares.

To avoid delays, complete the EJS correctly (list all heirs; set shares; attach IDs) and publish when required.

9) Housing loan: what survivors should do

Notify the Pag-IBIG Housing office immediately with the death certificate.
File the MRI/SRI claim with required medical/claim forms.
Stay current on dues while the claim is under review (if advised); otherwise, penalties may accrue on portions not covered by the policy.
Upon approval, the outstanding loan balance (per policy coverage) is settled.
Process estate tax and title transfer to heirs, then cancel mortgage annotations.
If the claim is denied/partially paid (e.g., exclusions, unpaid premiums, pre-existing non-disclosed conditions), request a written decision and consider appeal or payment arrangements for any residual balance.

10) Practical scenarios (how they play out)

Member had Pag-IBIG I + MP2 and no beneficiary on file. → File provident death claim and MP2 closure with EJS among heirs. Pag-IBIG releases both balances plus death benefit to heirs pro-rata per EJS.
Member left a named beneficiary (spouse) but also an MP2 account. → If MP2 form names a beneficiary (or rolls up to the main beneficiary designation), spouse may receive both provident and MP2 balances. Check the most recent designation.
Member had a housing loan and died mid-term. → File MRI claim; if fully covered, the mortgage is paid off. Heirs still handle estate tax and title transfer.
Minor child is the sole beneficiary. → Parent/guardian secures guardianship/affidavit as allowed. Funds may be placed in a restricted account per undertaking.

11) Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Ignoring beneficiary forms: The latest valid designation governs. Ask Pag-IBIG to pull the record.
Missing heirs in the EJS: Omitting heirs invalidates the settlement; fix before filing.
No TINs: Obtain TINs for all payees early to avoid release holds.
Unsettled disputes: Pag-IBIG won’t release until you present a settlement or court order.
Housing insurance lapses: Unpaid MRI/SRI premiums can reduce or void coverage—request a coverage ledger and written evaluation.

12) Checklists

A) Provident/MP2 claim (death)

Death certificate (PSA/LCRO)
Valid IDs of claimant(s); MID if available
Beneficiary designation (if any) or EJS/affidavits
Marriage/birth certificates (relationship proofs)
TINs of all payees
Bank details / e-payout preference
SPA (if by representative)
Guardianship docs (for minors)

B) Housing loan MRI/SRI

Death certificate + medical/incident reports
Loan number & latest SOA
MRI/SRI claim form & required medical proofs
Proof of premium payments (if requested)
Heirs’ IDs/TINs for title transfer follow-through

13) Templates (short, editable)

A) Claim cover letter (Provident/MP2 – Death)

Re: Death Claim for Pag-IBIG Member [Name], MID [xxxx] Dear HDMF Officer, I/we respectfully submit the enclosed Provident Benefits Death Claim (and MP2 closure, if applicable) for the late [Name] who passed away on [date]. Attached are the death certificate, IDs, beneficiary/EJS documents, and TINs of payees. Please advise if further documents are needed. Sincerely, [Claimant]

B) SPA (summary points)

I, [Heir/Beneficiary], appoint [Representative] to file/receive Pag-IBIG death claim proceeds on my behalf, to sign forms, and to receive notices, without authority to endorse the check to third parties. (Attach IDs; notarize.)

C) Guardianship Undertaking (outline)

I, [Guardian], as [parent/court-appointed guardian] of minor [Name], undertake to receive and hold Pag-IBIG death benefits in trust, to be used solely for the minor’s support and education, subject to court/accounting rules where applicable.

14) FAQs

Q1: We can’t find the beneficiary form. Pag-IBIG will verify in its records; submit your claim and identity docs. If no valid beneficiary exists, proceed via heirship/EJS.

Q2: Are MP2 proceeds separate from Pag-IBIG I? Yes—file for both. MP2 has distinct account numbers and dividends.

Q3: Must we pay estate tax first? It depends on the benefit type and Pag-IBIG’s documentary checks. Coordinate with BIR early; Pag-IBIG may require TINs and eCAR in certain cases.

Q4: The member had unpaid STL at death. Will it be deducted? There is usually credit life coverage; if fully covered, the loan is settled. If not, the net provident may reflect allowable offsets. Ask for a computation sheet.

Q5: Can a live-in partner claim if not designated? Generally no—unless the person is a designated beneficiary or a legal heir by law (which a common-law partner is not, absent other legal ties).

Q6: How long is processing? Varies with document completeness, verification, and BIR requirements. Submitting a complete file and TINs speeds up release.

15) Key takeaways

File all tracks you’re entitled to: Provident, Death Benefit, MP2, and MRI/SRI for housing loans.
Beneficiary designation rules come first; otherwise, proceed via legal heirs with EJS/affidavits.
Prepare complete documents (IDs, civil registry proofs, TINs, guardianship papers).
Estate-tax coordination can be pivotal for timely release.
For housing loans, act fast on the MRI/SRI claim to prevent arrears issues and ease title transfer.

If you tell me the member’s status (beneficiary on file or none), existing loans/MP2, and who the heirs are (any minors), I can give you a custom checklist, a draft EJS outline, and the exact form set you’ll likely need at the branch.