Quick answer: If you joined or left a company mid-year, your 13th month pay is prorated — you still get it, based on the basic salary you actually earned. Add up your basic pay from your first to your last working day in the year, then divide by 12 (always 12, never the number of months worked). Compute your prorated amount →
Who gets prorated 13th month pay?
- New hires who started after January.
- Resigned employees who left before December.
- Terminated or separated employees (for authorized causes).
As long as you worked at least one month during the calendar year, the law entitles you to a proportionate 13th month pay.
The formula
Prorated 13th Month Pay = Total Basic Salary Earned (first day → last day) ÷ 12
The divisor stays at 12 even if you only worked a few months. The proration is automatic because you only earned salary for part of the year.
Worked examples
New hire — started in September
Monthly basic salary ₱25,000, worked September to December (4 months):
- Total basic salary = ₱25,000 × 4 = ₱100,000
- Prorated 13th month = ₱100,000 ÷ 12 = ₱8,333.33
Resigned at the end of June
Monthly basic salary ₱30,000, worked January to June (6 months):
- Total basic salary = ₱30,000 × 6 = ₱180,000
- Prorated 13th month = ₱180,000 ÷ 12 = ₱15,000
When will you receive it?
For resigned or separated employees, the prorated 13th month pay is usually included in your final pay (back pay), which DOLE guidelines say should be released within 30 days of separation unless a different period applies.
Related reading
Sources: DOLE Presidential Decree No. 851 and the latest Labor Advisory. For estimation only — confirm with your HR department.