Social Security System (SSS) – BaLinkBayan (2024)

The SSS is a social insurance institution mandated by law to promote the welfare of private sector workers, including those in the informal sector, the self-employed, and voluntary members by providing replacement income in times of life’s contingencies: sickness, maternity, unemployment, disability, retirement, and death. It currently administers two (2) programs, namely: (1) the Social Security (SS) Program and (2) the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11199 (RA 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018), coverage in the SSS shall be compulsory to all sea-based and land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as defined under R.A. No. 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 as amended (by R.A. No. 10022), provided they are not over sixty years of age.

RegistrationAn OFW shall be allowed to register for initial coverage with the SSS up to the day of his/her 60^th birthday. When a person registers to SSS, he/she becomes a member for life and is entitled to the benefits, privileges, and services provided by the SSS, for as long as he/she meets their qualifying conditions.To comply with the requirements of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Services Delivery Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11032), the SSS has adopted a digital transformation of its processes including the issuance of SS numbers to its members, implemented mandatorily in July 2020. Following this, an Online Application for SS Number with an option for uploading supporting documents was implemented effective December 2020.

ContributionsThe monthly earnings declared by an OFW at the time of registration shall be the basis of the initial Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) and the corresponding amount of monthly contribution, but in no case shall it be lower than the prevailing minimum MSC for OFWs currently at ₱8,000.The deadline for payment of contributions for land-based OFW members is shown below:

In case the payment deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, payment may be made on the next working day.

BenefitsUnder RA 11199, all benefit provisions shall apply to covered OFWs. The benefits include retirement, death, disability, funeral, sickness, maternity, and unemployment insurance or involuntary separation benefits. These benefits are closely linked to the amount and number of contributions, with the minimum monthly pension guaranteed. The higher contribution amount and longer contribution period translate to higher benefit amounts.

Note: Availment of SSS benefits is only allowed for “Permanent” membership status, subject to qualifying conditions.LoansOFWs are also provided with loan privileges, subject to qualifying conditions, and is based on the amount of their contributions. Availment of loans is only allowed for those with “Permanent” membership status.For Salary Loan, a member must at least have 36 monthly contributions (or 72 months if applying for a 2-month loan; however, recency is a requirement, which means that the member must have paid at least 6 months in the 12-month period prior to a loan application.Meanwhile, a Calamity Loan is provided to members residing in or with residence in the NDRRMC (please spell out) -declared calamity areas, as required. However, the member must also have at least 36 posted monthly contributions, including recently-paid contributions.Both types of loans may be filed online through the My.SSS Portal or the SSS Mobile App.Foreign OfficesTo reach out to overseas Filipinos and promote its programs, the SSS has established the following Foreign Offices (FOs), mostly housed at Philippine Embassies or Consulates. Currently, there are 28 FOs providing OFWs with direct access to SSS programs and services, and keeping them under the mantle of social security protection.

OFW-Contact Services Section (OFW-CSS)The OFW-CSS was established to provide a dedicated unit for faster resolution of OFW concerns. The OFW-CSS has the following contact channels that OFWs may transact with such as the verification of SS numbers, posting of contributions and loan payments, the status of membership and various benefit claim applications, and the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) compliance/appointment system.

MY.SSSMy.SSS is an online service portal that allows OFW members exclusive access to their contributions and membership records. It serves as a primary interface for members in transacting with the SSS online. The portal has been enhanced from 2011 to the present, which transformed My.SSS into a one-stop-shop facility that offers various online services that allow OFWs to view their membership status, request membership records, set appointments with SSS offices, and file benefit claim/loan applications.

SSS MOBILE APPThe SSS Mobile App is a free downloadable app for smartphone users that was launched in 2018. It is designed to provide a more convenient way for members to transact with SSS without the hassle of queuing in SSS branches.Currently, services and information accessed through the SSS Mobile App are similar to the My.SSS Portal on the SSS Website. It also allows viewing of: member’s information, posted contributions, information on benefit claims including documentary requirements, location map of SSS branch offices, salary loan application including status and balance, submission of maternity notification, generation of PRN, and online payment option through Paymaya, Gcash, Credit/Debit Card and BPI.The SSS Mobile App may be downloaded from Google Play Store, and Apple App Store.OFW PAYMENT FACILITIESSSS periodically conducts accreditation of banks and non-banks/remittance transfer companies for the collection of payments of OFW made from both local and foreign. In most of SSS existing payment channels and facilities, posting of contributions (and loan payments) are done on a real-time basis, and the issuance of a Payment Reference Number (PRN) has become mandatory.