Good news for SSS pensioners! The Philippine Social Security System (SSS) has announced the schedule for the release of SSS pensioners’ 13th month pay. This covers those who receive their monthly pensions through PESONet participating banks. Meanwhile, instructions are also given to those who receive pensions through non-PESONet banks or checks.
In this article, we will talk all about the 13th month pay for SSS pensioners. We will be discussing the qualifications, requirements, and processes involved. So if you or anyone you know is an SSS pensioner, do take time to read this guide!
What is 13th Month Pay for SSS Pensioners?
In 1988, the SSS began providing “13th month pay” or pension to its members who are pensioners. Basically, the 13th month pension is equal to one month of a pensioner’s basic pension. It is an additional cash benefit provided to SSS pensioners, as part of their retirement benefits.
As you may recall, the retirement benefit is a cash benefit given to members who can no longer work because of old age. There are two types of retirement benefits: (a) monthly pension, which is a paid to a retiree on a regular basis; and (b) lump sum amount, which is a one-time payment given to a retiree.
Qualifications
Who are qualified to receive 13th month pension? SSS members who have been receiving their monthly pensions can expect to receive 13th month pay. However, it does not included partial disability pensioners, whose pension duration is less than 12 months.
Of course, before becoming an SSS pensioner, a person should have previously applied for retirement benefits. And to qualify for retirement benefits, a member must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions before the semester of retirement. He/She should also be any of the following:
- At least 60 years old, separated from employment, or has stopped being self-employed/overseas Filipino worker/household helper (optional retirement);
- At least 65 years old, whether or not still employed/self-employed, an OFW, or household helper (technical retirement);
- At least 55 years old, separated from employment, or has stopped being self-employed, if an “underground mineworker” (optional retirement);
- At least 60 years old, whether or not still employed/self-employed, if an “underground mineworker” (technical retirement); or
- A total disability pensioner who has recovered from disability and is at least 60 years old (or at least 55 years old, if an “underground mineworker”).
Requirements
As mentioned earlier, SSS members who have been receiving their monthly pensions can expect to receive 13th month pay. This means that you should already have applied for retirement benefit beforehand.
To apply for retirement benefit, become a pensioner, and eventually to receive 13th month pay, an SSS member needs to submit the following documents:
- Death, Disability, and Retirement (DDR) Signature Card;
- DDR Savings Account Form;
- Certification of Separation from last employer (for members less than 65 years old);
- Passbook or ATM Card (must be presented for authentication purposes);
- Certified true copies of Birth or Baptismal Certificate of dependent children;
- Certified of cessation of business or practice of profession (for self-employed members less than 65 years old);
- Certified true copy of Marriage Certificate;
- Proof of filiation for illegitimate dependent children;
- UMID or SSS biometrics ID card or two (2) other valid IDs (with signature and at least one with photo and date of birth); and
- Other supporting documents that may be requested by SSS.
For more information, please check out our previous article on how to apply for SSS retirement claim.
Moreover, take note that as part of the application for retirement, applicants need to enroll their bank accounts with the SSS Disbursement Account and Enrollment Module (DAEM). To learn more about this topic, please check out our previous article on how to enroll your bank via DAEM for SSS loans and benefits.
How to Collect 13th Month Pay for SSS Pensioners
Once you are a SSS pensioner and you have started receiving your monthly pension, you can expect to receive your 13th month pay as well.
For this period (December 2022), the SSS has announced the following schedule for the release of SSS pensioners’ 13th month pay — specifically for those who receive their monthly pensions through PESONet participating banks:
Date of Contingency — 1st to 15th of the month
Crediting Date — December 1, 2022
Date of of Contingency — 16th to last day of the month
Crediting Date — December 4, 2022
Meanwhile, pensioners who receive their monthly pensions through non-PESONet banks or checks are advised to coordinate with the SSS for the following reasons:
- For non-PESONet banks to credit the pensions to pensioners’ accounts not later than the 4th day of December; and
- For the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of pensioners’ checks to the home address based on their SSS records.
NOTE: If the crediting date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the 13th month and December pensions will be credited on the last working day before the Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
Video: How to Register to My.SSS for Pensioners or Individual Members
Whether you’re a pensioner or an individual member of SSS, it’s important to register to My.SSS, which is the agency’s online facility. Applying for loans, claims, and benefits is much easier when you already have an online SSS account. Watch this video to learn how you can register on My.SSS:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some frequently asked questions — and answers — about the SSS 13th month pay for pensioners:
1. What is 13th month pay for SSS pensioners?
The 13th month pay or pension is an additional cash benefit provided to SSS pensioners.
2. How much is the 13th month pay?
The SSS 13th month pay is equal to one month of a pensioner’s basic pension.
3. Who are qualified to get 13th month pay?
SSS members who have been getting their monthly pensions for at least a year can expect to receive 13th month pay. It does not included partial disability pensioners, whose pension duration is less than 12 months.
4. When will I receive 13th month pay?
SSS pensioners can expect to receive their 13th month pay based on their date of contingency. Recently, the agency has announced the following schedule for those who receive their monthly pensions through PESONet participating banks:
Date of Contingency — 1st to 15th of the month
Crediting Date — December 1, 2022
Date of of Contingency — 16th to last day of the month
Crediting Date — December 4, 2022
5. What if I receive my pension through check or a non-PESONet bank?
Pensioners who receive their monthly pensions through non-PESONet banks or checks are advised to coordinate with the SSS. This way, non-PESONet banks would credit the 13th month pay to pensioners’ accounts not later than the 4th day of December. Likewise, the Philippine Postal Corporation will expedite the delivery of pensioners’ checks to their registered home addresses.
Contact Information: SSS Main Office
If you have any questions about the 13th month pension, you can go to the nearest SSS office. There are SSS offices in every major city and province across the Philippines. Meanwhile, if you are based in the National Capital Region (NCR), you can go to the SSS Main Office, whose contact details are as follows:
Address: East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines, 1100
Telephone: 0279177777
Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph
Website: https://www.sss.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh/
Google Map Location
The SSS Main Office is located in Quezon City, as indicated in Google Maps:
Summary
Just as most employees in the Philippines are looking forward to receiving their 13th month pay, SSS pensionsers are also eager to receive their 13th month pension. After all, it’s always good to have some extra cash, especially during the holiday season!
DISCLAIMER: The above guide is presented for information-sharing purposes only. To know more about the 13th month pay for SSS pensioners — including when and how to receive it — please visit the official website and Facebook page of the Social Security System (SSS).
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