Text of the provision
Art. 115. Retirement benefits, pensions, annuities, gratuities, usufructs and similar benefits shall be governed by the rules on gratuitous or onerous acquisitions as may be proper in each case.
(n)
Family Code of the Philippines, Executive Order No. 209, approved July 6, 1987. The Code took effect on August 3, 1988 (Republic v. Orbecido III, G.R. No. 154380, October 5, 2005). Reproduced in full.
What this article means
This article does not lay down a single rule for retirement pay, pensions, annuities, gratuities, usufructs and the like. Instead it tells you which existing rule to apply: look at how the benefit was acquired.
If a benefit was earned by work or contributions during the marriage (an onerous acquisition), it is treated as conjugal to that extent. If it came gratuitously — a pure gift or gratuity — it follows the rules for exclusive property. Each benefit is classified on its own facts, "as may be proper in each case."
Related provisions
- Article 117 — what counts as conjugal partnership property, including the fruits of labor.
- Article 109 — exclusive property of each spouse.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on Article 115 will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.