Social Security System (SSS): What You Need to Know

The Philippine Social Security System, otherwise known as SSS, is a compulsory contributory social insurance program that covers at least the working members of the society such as those employed in the private sector, as well as OFWs and seafarers.

Also Read: How to Pay your SSS Contributions as an OFW Abroad

The mission of the SSS for OFWs is to provide social protection to overseas Filipino workers and their families against risks and hardships encountered in foreign countries. If you’d like to know more about how OFWs can benefit from this agency, make sure to read the rest of this guide.

SSS: What You Need To Know

Everything You Need to Know about the SSS

Nearly every working Filipino in the private sector contributes monthly to the SSS or the Social Security System fund, but not everyone understands the benefits they qualify for, nor how the system works. It is an insurance program mandated by the Philippine government to cover all income earners or workers in the private sector, in contrast, government workers are covered by the GSIS or Government Service Insurance System.

The SSS basically derives its funds from member’s contributions and investment earnings. Such a portion of the contributions that are not needed for benefit disbursements goes to a Reserve Fund, which is intended to cover future liabilities in benefit payments of the SSS to its over 29 million members to date.

What is the Meaning of SSS?

SSS stands for Social Security System in the Philippines.

What is the Purpose of SSS?

The Philippine Social Security System (SSS) is the country’s workers’ social insurance plan. The Social Security Administration (SSS) is a government organization that offers retirement and health benefits to all paid-up employees in the Philippines. It was founded in 1957. SSS members can also apply for “salary” and “disaster” loans. Wage loans are calculated based on an employee’s monthly wage. Calamities declared by the government, such as floods, earthquakes, and natural catastrophes, entitle an SSS member to a calamity loan in his or her territory.

Employees of the federal government in the Philippines do not contribute to the SSS because they have their own agency, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Functions and Responsibilities of SSS

SSS, also known as the Social Security System, is a state policy established under Republic Act No. 8282 – Social Security Law to establish, develop, and promote a tax-exempt social security system suitable to the needs of the people throughout the Philippines, which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their beneficiaries against the risks of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, and death. To that purpose, the government must work to extend social security coverage to employees and their family.

SSS is a government-mandated insurance system for all Filipino income earners and workers. Every SSS member who earns an income is required to make a monthly contribution to the fund, the amount of which is determined by their pay band. Members will receive insurance benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral, and wage loan in exchange for the aforementioned monthly contributions.

How To Register And Apply For An SSS Number?

SSS account registration is now available online.

  • Visit https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/rcsmi/main.html for more information. To begin, follow the instructions below:
    • Complete each field of the online form precisely.
    • A link will be sent to the applicant’s email address, allowing them to continue with their application for an SS Number.

Note: The link will expire in 5 days, after which the registrant must repeat the first registration stage.

  • After clicking the link, the registrant must accurately submit all of the required information, from Basic Information to Beneficiaries Information.
  • The registrant may check and update their electronically submitted registration form before a Social Security number is generated. After receiving an SSS Number, the applicant must visit an SSS branch to update his or her information.
  • The system will display the registrant’s SSS number and provide them the option to print their ePersonal Record and SS Number Slip after they click “Generate SS Number.” Furthermore, the registrant will receive an email confirmation with his/her Social Security number, a copy of his/her SS Number Slip, and extra instructions for completing his/her SS Number application.
  • Print the Personal Record Form, SS Number Slip, which includes the content of the SS Number Issuance System’s SSS Number Application Confirmation email.
  • Visit the local SSS branch and present the necessary papers, as well as the SSS Number slip.
  • If you are married, bring a copy of your Marriage Contract.
  • You must also provide a copy of your children’s birth certificates if you have any. Before his or her name, your working spouse must sign the printed Personal Record Form. The signature of your working spouse demonstrates that he or she agrees to your SSS membership.

What Are The Requirements For SSS Application?

  • Birth Certificate
  • In the absence of the Birth Certificate, any of the following documents:
  • In the absence of the above ID card(s) and/or documents, any two (2) of the following, both with the correct name and at least one(1) with date of birth:
    • (GSIS) card/Member’s Record/Certificate of Membership
    • ATM Card (with cardholder’s name)
    • Alien Certificate of Registration
    • Bank Account Passbook
    • Baptismal Certificate of child/ren
    • Birth Certificate of child/ren
    • of Licensure/Qualification Document from Maritime Industry Auth.
    • Certificate from Office of Muslim Affairs
    • Certificate from Office of Northern Cultural Community
    • Certificate from Office of Southern Cultural Community
    • Certificate of Naturalization from the Bureau of Immigration
    • Company ID card
    • Company Representative Authorization Card(ACR) issued by SSS
    • Credit card
    • Firearm License card issued by Philippine National Police (PNP)
    • Fisherman’s card issued by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
    • Health or Medical Card
    • Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) Member’s Data Form
    • ID card issued by (LGUs) (e.g Barangay/Municipality/City)
    • ID card issued by professional association recognized by PRC
    • Life Insurance Policy
    • Marriage Contract/Certificate of Marriage
    • Membership card issued by Private Co.
    • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
    • Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) card
    • Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) ID card/Member Data Record
    • Police Clearance
    • Postal ID card
    • School ID card
    • Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by (POEA)
    • Senior Citizen card
    • Student Permit issued by Land Transportation Office (LTO)
    • Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN) card
    • Transcript of Records

How Can I Get An SSS Philippines ID / UMID?

UMID is an updated version of the SSS ID that incorporates data from other government organisations, including Pag-IBIG, GSIS, and Philhealth. This ID is only available to registered SSS members and must be obtained voluntarily. Here’s how to apply for a UMID at an SSS office, which is the only place where applications are accepted.

  • Prepare two valid IDs
  • Go to an SSS branch.
  • Fill up their UMID application form.
  • Submit the form to the verication counter
  • After verifying your documents, you’ll be instructed to proceed to the ID capture booth, fingerprint scanning and electronic signature process.

Your UMID will be mailed to you within five (5) to seven (7) business days for Metro Manila addresses, seven (7) to ten (10) business days for locations outside of Metro Manila, and ten (10) to twenty (20) business days for remote addresses.

SSS Membership Benefits

Here’s a list of the benefits you can get as an SSS Member:

  1. Sickness Benefit. It is a daily monetary payout made to members who are unable to work due to injury or illness.
  2. Maternity Benefit. It is a monetary payment made on a daily basis to a female member who is unable to work due to pregnancy or miscarriage.
  3. Disability Benefit. It is a monthly pension or a lump sum payment made to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or entirely.
  4. Retirement Benefit. It is a monetary benefit granted to a member who is unable to work due to old age, either monthly or in a lump sum.
  5. Death Benefit. It is a monetary reward granted to the beneficiaries of a deceased family member, either monthly or in one large sum.
  6. Funeral Benefit. A 20,000 funeral grant will be awarded to the person who paid for the deceased member’s burial expenses.
  7. Salary Loan Benefit. It is a monetary loan made to a working, self-employed, or volunteer member. It is intended to meet the member’s short-term credit needs.

SSS Programs for Members

SSS is a social security program in the Philippines that acts as a financial back-up for the Filipino emigrants in and out of the country. It has several programs to cater to its member’s varying needs such as health, maternity, disability, death benefits, retirement plan and more. Here are some of the agency’s most notable programs:

PESO Fund

The SSS PESO Fund is a program that provides financial assistance to members who are in need of it. It was launched by the Social Security System (SSS) in late 2016 and became available to all members starting January 2017.

The fund is intended for members who have been with the SSS for at least 5 years and have been paying their monthly premiums on time.

The main benefit of this program is that it allows you to apply for a loan from the SSS whenever you need money for any purpose, such as paying off a bill or buying something you need. The maximum amount that can be borrowed under this program is P50,000, which is equivalent to one year’s worth of benefits under your SSS coverage. This means that if you’re already retired, your loan will cover up until age 65, when your monthly pension payment begins. If you’re still working and covered by the SSS but not yet retired, your loan will cover up until age 60 when your retirement benefits kick in.

Flexi Fund

The SSS Flexi Fund is a mutual fund that allows members to invest anywhere from PhP10,000 to PhP100,000 at one time. Investors can also choose from three investment plans: a lump-sum investment plan, an average monthly investment plan and a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP).

The lump-sum investment plan requires members to invest their entire amount in one go. The average monthly investment plan requires members to make monthly contributions over a period not exceeding five years, while the SWP requires investors to make withdrawals at least once every quarter.

The SSS Flexi Fund offers high returns on your investments and flexible terms so you can earn more money while keeping your funds safe and accessible. This is particularly useful if you want to save up for a big purchase or start something new but don’t have enough cash on hand yet.

By investing in the SSS Flexi Fund, you get two free services from SSS: insurance and the SWP option (which enables you to withdraw money from your investment anytime without penalty). With these added benefits, investing with SSS becomes even more convenient for members like you!

Social Development Loan

The Social Development Loan is a loan program for the development of facilities and the establishment of organizations that provide low-cost medical and health-care services to the general public, SSS members and their dependents, and their dependents.

Reminders

  1. To continue receiving monthly benefits, you must be an active SSS member.
  2. You should pay the amount shown on your SSS Contribution Collection List (SCL) by the deadline to avoid delinquent payment penalties.
  3. Report all employers to update your employment record and monitor your monthly contributions.
  4. Report all workers to reflect your total number of employees and help in monitoring their contributions.
  5. Report all self-employed individuals and covered household workers in order to update their employment status and pay their contributions through the E-Collection System.
  6. Renew your UMID at least six (6) months earlier than its expiry date. It takes two (2) weeks to process a UMID card application.
  7. Update any change in your membership record like contact details, birth information, dependents, beneficiaries, etc., within thirty (30) days from the date of change.
  8. File maternity benefit claims using any of the following channels: (1) Online through SSS website or mobile app; (2) SSS Trunkline or Branch; or (3) Authorized Maternity Notification/Consultation Facility/Hospital or other partner agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about SSS Philippines:

1. How Much of Your Income Is Required for SSS Contribution?

Your income determines your monthly contribution. The current SSS contribution rate is 11% of the monthly salary credit up to Php 16,000, shared equally between the employer (7.37%) and the employee (3.63 percent).

If you make $30,000 each month, your contribution will only be based on Php 16,000 of that (which is the highest monthly salary credit). Each month, you will contribute 581.30, while your employer will give 1,208.70, for a total monthly contribution of 1,790.00.

For self-employed and volunteer members, the contribution rate is 11% of the monthly salary credit (MSC) based on the monthly earnings indicated at the time of registration. OFWs are required to have a minimum monthly pay credit of 5,000. The monthly payment for the non-working spouse is based on fifty percent of the working spouse’s most recent posted monthly salary credit, with a minimum of Php 1,000.

2. Can You Get Advanced Retiree Benefits Once You Retire?

Yes, but only after the original retirement claim is submitted. As a retired member, you can get your first 18 months of pension in a lump sum, discounted at an SSS-determined beneficial rate of interest. You will then begin receiving your pension on the nineteenth month and every month after that.

3. How Is the SSS Retirement Benefit Computed?

The SSS calculates your monthly pension based on the results of three computations. As a result, if you are a member with a monthly salary of 30,000.00 and choose to retire at the age of 60 with a total of 30 years of payments, you may be entitled for a monthly pension based on the greater of the following amounts:

Sample computation

Example:  Average total contribution is ₱1,790.00 x 30 years x 12 months = ₱644,400.00.

The sum of ₱300 plus 20% of the average monthly salary credit plus 2% of the average monthly salary credit for each credited year of service (CYS) in excess of ten years;

Pension: (AMSC) 20% + (AMSC) 2% for year of service in excess of 10 years + ₱300
: (₱16,000*20%) + (₱16,000*2%*20 years) + ₱300
: ₱3,200 + ₱6,400 + ₱300
: ₱9,900.00
Forty (40) percent of the average monthly salary credit:
Pension: (AMSC) 40%
: (₱16,000*40%)
: ₱6,400.00
₱1,200, if the CYS is at least 10 but less than 20; or ₱2,400, if the CYS is 20 or more.
Pension: ₱2,400.00 since you have more than 20 CYS

Accordingly, the highest value yielded by any of the formulas, which in this case is ₱9,900.00, shall be your monthly pension upon retirement.

Members receive lifetime pension assistance only if they have contributed for at least 120 months or ten years; otherwise, they will receive a lump sum payout equal to their total contributions plus interest.

4. Who Should Be Covered by SSS As Mandated By Law?

Registration with the SSS of employees, employers, and self-employed individuals, as well as payment and remittance of social security contributions, is required coverage. They are as follows:

  • Employer (ER) is a person who uses and pays for the services of another in any business, trade, industry, or endeavor.
  • The worker (EE) An EE can be a worker in the private sector, regardless of employment status, whether permanent, temporary, or provisional, who is not over 60 years old (up to 60th birthday, if initial coverage);
  • a house helper who is not over 60 years old (up to 60th birthday, if initial coverage);
  • a Filipino seafarer who is considered an ER after signing the standard employment contract and actual deployment by the manning agency and the foreign principal (SE) An SE is defined as someone who works in any trade, business, or occupation, has no ER other than himself, earns at least ₱1,000 per month by physical and mental labor, and is under the age of 60 (if there is initial coverage).

5. What Is Voluntary SSS Coverage?

Voluntary coverage is defined as the voluntary registration and payment of social security taxes by any of the following groups:

  • Member Taking Part (VM) A VM is an individual who was previously covered as an SSS member as an EE, SE, or OFW; has at least one (1) posted contribution; is no longer engaged or working as an EE, SE, or OFW, or has no income/earnings as such for a given period; and chooses to continue making voluntary contributions to maintain his/her right to full SSS benefits.
  • Filipino Employee Working Abroad (OFW) OFW refers to any of the following sorts of overseas-based Filipinos: those recruited in the Philippines by foreign-based ERs for employment abroad, those with a source of income in a foreign nation, and those permanently resident in a foreign country.
  • Non-Working Partner (NWS) Unless he or she is engaged in another occupation or employment that requires coverage, an NWS is a married individual who manages the household and family concerns full-time.

6. When does SSS Member Coverage Take Effect?

It is determined by the type of SSS membership.

ER On the first day, he or she hires the first EE (s). EE On the first day of work. SE On the month and year of the first monthly contribution payment, as long as it is not earlier than the “Start of Business” date mentioned on the SSS Form E-1, or retrospectively to the month and year of the first contribution payment. OFW The first contribution payment is required in the month and year that corresponds to the payment deadline for OFWs. NWS In the month and year of the initial contribution payment.

7. What is the SSS Contribution Table?

The Social Security System (SSS) Contribution Table is the table of monthly contributions to be paid by eligible and contributing members. The table serves as a reference for employers, employees, and their employers in computing the monthly contribution due for each employee. The table also serves as an indicator on how much SSS benefits may be expected upon retirement.

8. Can A Member Withdraw Their SSS Membership?

No. When a person registers and is covered for SSS membership, he/she becomes a member for life.

9. If Your SSS Card Was Lost or If You Forgot Your SSS number, Should You Secure Another Number?

No, a member’s SSS number is permanent and must be used for all SSS-related transactions. If a member needs to replace a lost SSS ID card or cannot remember his or her SSS number, he or she should contact the nearest SSS office.

10. Who Are Considered as Primary SSS Beneficiaries?

Your primary beneficiaries are your legitimate dependent spouse until he or she remarries, as well as your legitimate, legally adopted, or illegitimate children under the age of 21.

If you are unmarried and have no children, your parents will be your secondary beneficiaries.

If you do not have both primary and secondary beneficiaries, you may choose any other individual in your SSS records as the beneficiary.

11. What Happens to My SSS Contribution If I Lose My Job?

When you leave your job, your employer’s obligation to pay your SSS contributions expires at the end of the month of separation. Nonetheless, all payments made on your behalf will continue to be credited to you, and you will remain eligible for SSS benefits and privileges. You may also continue to pay full contributions as a voluntary member to maintain your access to full benefits.

The preceding is a summary of some of the most important SSS-related facts. Remember that knowing your responsibilities and benefits under the programme will provide you with an advantage in times of need. Because this page is far from exhaustive, it is recommended that you visit the SSS’s official website on occasion.

In addition to salary loans, the SSS provides members with access to home loans. If you’re thinking about buying a house and need a loan, this article analyses the differences between Commercial Bank, SSS, and Pag-IBIG housing loans.

Video: SSS Benefits You Need to Know

The Social Security System (SSS) is a government-run program that provides social insurance and protection to workers in the Philippines. The program is mandatory for all employees and provides essential benefits such as retirement pensions, disability benefits, and death benefits.

The SSS program is an important part of the social safety net in the Philippines and provides crucial financial protection for workers and their families. The program is well-funded and sustainable and provides a valuable service to the Filipino people.

Summary

The Social Security System (SSS) provides universal coverage to all citizens, including Filipinos working overseas. It also provides financial assistance to the families of insured individuals and those who have been separated from their employment. To be a member of the SSS, one must first register with the organization’s local branch or apply online. Besides the usual information such as a birthdate, name, and citizenship status, one additionally needs to provide a valid PSA document to join the system.

We hope you’ve gained invaluable information about the SSS from this post. If you have friends or family who are interested to know more about the agency’s services and programs, especially for OFWs, make sure to share this post with them so they will be guided accordingly.

READ NEXT: How to Schedule a Branch Visit with the SSS Online Appointment System

Contact Information

Address: East Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
SSS Trunkline number: (632) 8920-6401  SSS Call Center (24/5): (632) 8920-6446 to 55  Local Toll-Free number: 1-800-10-2255777
Website: sss.gov.ph
SSS Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh
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