Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) need the Social Security System (SSS) benefits as much as everyone else in the country does. Even more, than the Filipinos working locally, those who work abroad need the type of insurance/investment that the SSS offers. In fact, even foreign nationals who are legitimate workers in the Philippines are eligible to become active SSS members. Every member, whether locally or abroad, can reap the same type of benefits in the future.
Also Read: SSS Monthly Contribution Table & Schedule of Payments
The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that there are about 10 million Filipinos abroad, with around 1 million more leaving the country every year. However, according to data from SSS, there are only about 550,000 or about 48% of Filipino migrant workers who are actively paying their SSS contributions in 2018. OFW members pay a monthly remittance of Php 960 or 12 percent of Php 8000, which is equivalent to the minimum monthly salary credit (MSC) for OFWs. After at least 120 qualified monthly contributions, they can have a basic monthly pension of Php 3200 when they retire.
As a state-run program, SSS offers many benefits to its members since it was established by virtue of the Republic Act No. 1161, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 1954. This government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) was tasked to manage the Philippines’ social insurance program, both for local and international members. Since they already have numerous branches set up all over the country, SSS tried to improve its services by getting closer to the overseas members. In doing so, the SSS offers a lifeline to the same benefits to OFWs abroad through multiple SSS International Branches.
Before we talk about where these branches are, here is a list of the services that International SSS branches offer to SSS members, active or otherwise.
Also Read: How to Check and View Your SSS Contributions Online
Services Offered in SSS Offices Abroad
The SSS has established several overseas branches strategically located to offer services in territories with a huge number of OFWs. These branches are better known as SSS Foreign Representative Offices – the overseas channel by which SSS provides OFWs access to social security benefits in any part of the world.
The SSS Foreign Representative Offices, as the overseas SSS branch, attend to both current and prospective SSS members’ needs. As such, these offices, like the regular branches in the Philippines, continuously provide, through an appointment system, the following services:
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Member Data Change Request.
Changes in personal data information merit a record change to be reported to the nearest SSS office through a Member’s Data Change Request. This is usually done by completing an SS Form E-4 and submitting the required supporting documents. Personal data changes requiring reporting to the SSS offices include changes in name, membership type, civil status, citizenship, gender, and correction on birthdate and name, among others.
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Receipt of filing of benefit claim applications such as sickness, maternity, disability, death, and retirement claims.
Under Section 2 of the New SS Law of 2018 (RA 11199), SSS has to provide its members and their families with social security protection against disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies that may cause loss of income. Such benefits include Maternity Leave Benefit, Retirement Benefit, Death Benefit, Permanent Disability Benefit, Funeral Benefit, Sickness Benefit, and the new Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefits. These benefit claims can all be processed at any SSS Foreign Representative Offices for OFWs residing abroad.
Note that members can proceed with loan applications and other program claims, including unemployment and retirement benefit applications, online through the My. SSS portal on the SSS website.
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Flexi-fund withdrawal.
The SSS Flexi-Fund program is a voluntary provident fund program exclusively designed to help OFWs save a portion of their earnings and maximize returns via investment. It is offered as an additional benefit to OFWs, separate from the regular SSS program. The funds collected under the Flexi-fund program are invested in more transparent, risk-free, and better yielding fixed-income securities with interest rates based on average rates of SSS’ short-term peso placements or 91-day Treasury bills.
Unlike the regular SSS program, Flexi-Fund investments can be terminated and withdrawn at any time, though there might be a pre-termination fee if the investment is withdrawn in less than one year. Nevertheless, should the need to withdraw a Flexi-fund investment rises, then OFWs may do so at any SSS International branch nearby.
Learn more about it by reading SSS Flexi Fund Program for OFWs.
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UMID data capture and card release.
By virtue of the Executive Order No. (EO) 420, amended by EO No. 700, SSS created the UMID System. Whether it is locally or abroad, the default UMID Card application entails submitting an application for and picking it up for release at the SSS member’s specific branch of choice. Note that claiming of UMID cards should be done within 60 days of receiving notification of release. Unclaimed UMID cards will be shredded and destroyed after 60 days.
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Annual Confirmation of Pensioner (ACOP).
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP) is a program launched by SSS in 2012. Under the program, SSS requires pensioners to show up in person and report at any SSS branch to ensure the continuous payment of their benefits under the Social Security Law. SSS pensioners file their ACOP compliance by submitting a duly accomplished ACOP form along with photocopies of their identification cards or documents. They can make the submission at any nearby branch or SSS Foreign Representative Office.
SSS Foreign Representative Offices are typically at Philippine Embassies, Consulates, or Overseas Labor Offices. They are equipped to handle any SSS transaction and inquiries similar to services offered by local branches.
SSS Branches and Offices Overseas
The SSS put up its first Foreign Representative Office in Hong Kong in 1998. Since then, they have set up other offices, creating 28 Foreign Representative Offices in 19 countries. There were offices set up in Asia (Hongkong, Taiwan, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore), North America (Canada and the United States), Europe (Italy and the United Kingdom), and the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Israel). SSS is expected to open a branch in Madrid, Spain, sometime soon.
Each branch was set up to fulfill the agency’s mandate over the last 62 years, even as they try to extend it to more OFW members. As SSS assures its members of protection and benefits in their time of need, these branches are meant to serve OFWs as they always do.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, W-48 STREET NO. 8, SECTOR 2-23, PLOT 51, AL QUBAISAT ABU DHABI UAE
Contact Numbers: +971 (2) 4465122
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: LYDIA E. CABAGNOT
Email Address: abudhabi@sss.gov.ph
AL KHOBAR
Address: PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICE GROUND FLOOR, GULF CENTER BLDG., AL KHOBAR KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Contact Numbers: +966 (5) 5890-3597
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JOHN L. SIBBALUCA
Email Address: alkhobar@sss.gov.ph
BAHRAIN
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, VILLA NO. 939, ROAD NO 3320 BLK 332, MAHOOZ AREA, MANAMA, KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
Contact Numbers: +973 36906218
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JOSE BENITO JR. J. CUSTODIO
Email Address: bahrain@sss.gov.ph
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, SIMPANG 336, DIPLOMATIC ENCLAVE, KAMPUNG KIANGGEH, JALAN KEBANGSAAN BANDAR SERI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Contact Numbers: +673 222-1173
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JOY-ANN E. CABADING
Email Address: brunei@sss.gov.ph
CALGARY
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, SUITE 920, 517 10TH AVENUE, SOUTHWEST, CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA
Contact Numbers: +1 (587) 8343330
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: RHEA BALICAS – BIGGS
Email Address: calgary@sss.gov.ph
DOHA, QATAR
Address: PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICE, 1ST FLR. AL JAZEERA TOWER, WESTBAY AREA, DOHA STATE OF QATAR
Contact Numbers: +974 44883858
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: LESLIE P. DE LEON
Email Address: doha@sss.gov.ph
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Address: PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICE, 35 BEIRUT ST., EXTENSION 2, AL QUSAIS 3, DUBAI, UAE
Contact Numbers: +971 56212-3426
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: MARK ROUE N. OLIVA
Email Address: dubai@sss.gov.ph
HONGKONG
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL 14TH FLR UNITED CTR BLDG, 95 QUEENSWAY, ADMIRALTY HONGKONG, SAR
Contact Numbers: +852 21436394
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: LESTER PAUL S. MATA
Email Address: hongkong@sss.gov.ph
JEDDAH
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, BLDG. NO. 4663, FAJER STREET, AL REHAB DISTRICT 3, PO BOX 4794 JEDDAH 21412 KSA
Contact Numbers: +966 (53) 8501047
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP OFFICER: MICHAEL D. INGAL
Email Address: jeddah@sss.gov.ph
JORDAN
Address: PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFFICE 113 AL MANAR BLDG., KHALILI, YASSIN AL TALHONI ST, DIER GHABAR AMMAN JORDAN
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JOY L. ASIS
Email Address: riyadh@sss.gov.ph
KAOHSIUNG
Address: MANILA ECONOMIC & CULTURAL OFFICE, 9TH FLR. GRAND 50 TOWER, NO. 80 MIN TZU, 1ST ROAD KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN
Contact Numbers: +886 0981822016
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: REPRESENTATIVE: BERNARD C. ROMAN
Email Address: taipei@sss.gov.ph
KUALA LUMPUR
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, NO 1 JALAN CHANGKAT, KIA PENG 50450 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Contact Numbers: (601) 124-123488
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP OFFICER: JOY-ANN E. CABADING
Email Address: brunei@sss.gov.ph
KUWAIT
Address: POLO-OWWA BLK 1 ST. 101, VILLA 816 & 817, AL SIDDEEQ AREA, 47721 STATE OF KUWAIT
Contact Numbers: +965 6097-1901
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JEREMY M. REDULLA
Email Address: kuwait@sss.gov.ph
LONDON, UK
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, NO. 11 SUFFOLK ST, LONDON SW1Y 4HG, UNITED KINGDOM
Contact Numbers: +44 (207) 451-1830 Fax No. +44 (207) 9304091
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: THELMA V. VENTURANZA
Email Address: london@sss.gov.ph
LOS ANGELES
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL EQUITABLE PLAZA BLDG 3435, WILSHIRE BLVD., STE, 550 LOS ANGELES 900100 CA USA
Contact Numbers: +1 (213) 4327402
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: ANNA LEE A. DE LEON
Email Address: losangeles@sss.gov.ph
MACAU
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL UNITS 1404-1406 14/F AIA TOWER, AVENIDA COMERCIAL, DE MACAU, MACAU, SAR
Contact Numbers: +853 6641-8717
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: KATHRYN QUINN E. EUSUYA
Email Address: SSSmacau@sss.gov.ph
MILAN
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL VIALE STELVIO, 71-VIA BERNINA 18, 20159 MILAN, ITALY
Contact Numbers: +39 (02) 4351-1953
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: MARY JESSIELYN C. SIA
Email Address: milan@sss.gov.ph
MUSCAT, OMAN
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES BLDG NO. 1041/1043, WAY NO. 3015, AL KHARIJIYA STREET, SHATTI AL QURUM, MUSCAT, SULTANATE OF OMAN
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JEREMY M. REDULLA
Email Address: kuwait@sss.gov.ph
NEW YORK, USA
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL 556 5TH AVENUE, NEW YORK 10036 NEW YORK USA
Contact Numbers: +1 (917) 6075178
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP. I: CELENIA DERAMAS DIMAANO
Email Address: newyork@sss.gov.ph
RIYADH
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES SITE D4, COLLECTOR ROAD C, DIPLOMATIC QUARTERS, RIYADH 11693, KSA, PO BOX 94366
Contact Numbers: +966 (55) 4782440
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: DANILO Q CALAPE
Email Address: riyadh@sss.gov.ph
ROME
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, VIALE DELLE MEDAGLIE D’ORO, 112-114, 00136, ROME, ITALY
Contact Numbers: +39 (06) 3973-9341
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: RUEL A. VELASCO
Email Address: rome@sss.gov.ph
SAN FRANCISCO, USA
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, 447 SUTTER ST., 2ND FLOOR, SUITE 203, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA USA, 94108
Contact Numbers: +1 (415) 757-0641
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: MARITES C. MARIN
Email Address: sanfo@sss.gov.ph
SINGAPORE
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, 20 NASSIM ROAD, 258395 SINGAPORE
Contact Numbers: +65 62355604
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: LUCILLE BLESILDA L. SIMBOL
Email Address: singapore@sss.gov.ph
TAIPEI
Address: MANILA ECONOMIC & CULTURAL OFFICE 2F CHANG HONG NEW ERA BLDG, 55, 57 ZHOUZI ST., NEIHU, TAIPEI CITY TAIWAN ROC.
Contact Numbers: +886 (02) 26588151
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: BERNARD C. ROMAN
Email Address: taipei@sss.gov.ph
TEL AVIV
Address: EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES REHOV BNEI DAN 18, TEL AVIV – YAFO 62260 ISRAEL
Contact Numbers: +972 507033389
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: EDRE G. BAYNO
Email Address: telaviv@sss.gov.ph
TORONTO
Address: PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL 202 160 EGLINTON AVENUE EAST, TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA M4P (3B5)
Contact Numbers: +1 (416) 4852999
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: ROBERTO V ROLDAN
Email Address: toronto@sss.gov.ph
VANCOUVER, CANADA
Address: PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS LABOR OFF. WORLD TRADE CTR OFF. COMPLEX, 999 CANADA PLACE, STE 601 VANCOUVER BC V6C 3E1 CANADA
Contact Numbers: +604 6411234
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: FOREIGN REP: JONNAH A. CRUZADA
Email Address: vancouver@sss.gov.ph
OFW CONTACT SERVICE UNIT
For other inquiries, SSS also set up the OFW Contact Service Unit. OFW beneficiaries and family members may reach out to them via the following contact information.
Contact Numbers: (632) 364-7796, (532) 354-7795, Globe (63) 977 804-8668, Smart (63) 998 847-4092
Email Address: ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph
Instant messages: Line, Viber, or Wechat
There’s also an International direct landline number that OFWs can call.
USA (San Francisco) – 760-797-218
POEA
Address: BALIK MANGGAGAWA CTR., SSS POEA BLDG, ORTIGAS AVE COR EDSA, MANDALUYONG CITY 1501 NCR PHILIPPINES
Contact Numbers: 63 (02) 87261679
Branch Head/Officer-in-Charge: ACTING HEAD: JENNIFER LORA PINEDA
Email Address: pinedajl@sss.gov.ph
Though the Social Security System or SSS is a Philippine-run social insurance program and is commonly mistakenly believed to have offices only in the Philippines, it has long extended its arm to embrace Filipinos who are working abroad. Multiple branches were also established to make its programs and benefits more accessible to modern-day heroes. They are struggling away from their families in their desire to earn more. Sort of like compensation for their sacrifices, the SSS bridged the benefits of the OFWs’ social insurance program and created accessible physical locations in several countries of interest to render immediate help and compulsory coverage to SSS members working overseas.
For local inquiries or information on local SSS branches, you may check List of SSS Branches and Locations in Philippines. If you are from Metro Manila, then you can check this List of SSS Branches in Metro Manila 2021 (Updated and Complete).