SSS Benefits for Contributing Members in the Philippines

The Social Security System or SSS is known for providing retirement benefits or pension to retired members. However, did you know that there are other SSS benefits you can enjoy even before retirement? Keep on reading to know more about these SSS benefits and how you can claim them.

What is SSS?

Established in 1957, the SSS is a government-run social insurance program for employees in the Philippines. The agency provides various benefits, including sickness, maternity, and even retirement to all registered members.

To become an SSS member, you must be at least 15 years old. Employed and self-employed Filipinos, OFWs, and unemployed individuals can be an SSS member.

How to Become an SSS Member

sss benefits - how to become an sss member

To become an SSS member, you must get an SSS number by either visiting the nearest SSS Branch or going to the agency’s official website. Below are the steps to SSS member registration.

How to Apply as an SSS Member via SSS Branch

Accomplish the SS Form E-1 (Personal Record Form)^[1]
Submit a certified true copy of any of the following primary documents:

Birth Certificate
Baptismal Certificate
Passport
Driver’s License
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Card
Seaman’s Book

If you don’t have any of these primary documents, you may submit a certified true copy of two secondary documents. Below are some of the major secondary documents. Visit this page for a complete list.

Alien Certificate of Registration
ATM card with the cardholder's name
Bank Account Passbook
Birth/Baptismal Certificate of children
Company ID
Credit Card
Health or Medical Card
Marriage Contract
NBI Clearance
Police Clearance
Postal ID
Senior Citizen Card
TIN Card
Voter's ID

Wait for the personnel to give your SSS number.

How to Apply as an SSS Member Online

Visit the SSS Website at sss.gov.ph and fill out the online form and submit.
Once done, you will receive a link to your email. Click this link and fill out the next form.
After accomplishing the form, you will receive your SSS number.
Print your ePersonal Record, SSS Number Slip, and SSS Number Application Confirmation email.
Submit these documents to your nearest SSS branch together with other requirements.

How Much is the SSS Contribution?

Your SSS contribution depends on your employment status and whether you’re an OFW. See the table belows to determine your SSS contribution.

Employed, Self-Employed, Voluntary Member, and Non-Working Spouse

sss benefits - sss contribution for employed and self-employed

Household Employers and Kasambahay

sss benefits - sss contribution for household employers and kasambahays

OFWs

sss benefits - sss contribution for ofws

SSS Benefits Members Must Know

1. SSS Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program

The SSS Employee Compensation Program aims to aid workers who suffered work-related injury or sickness, resulting in disability or death. You can avail of this program together with other SSS benefits.

How Much is the SSS EC Benefit?

For temporary total disability, the monthly pension is PHP 110 to PHP 480. For permanent total or partial disability, you can get at least PHP 2,000 monthly. Lastly, for work-related injury or sickness that resulted in death, the compensation is equal to the member’s monthly pension plus a 15% difference.

To qualify for this benefit, you must be injured at your workplace and performing your official work functions. If you sustained an injury or sickness elsewhere, you should be executing an order from your employer. If the injury or sickness resulted in death, the member should at least have one month of SSS contribution during the semester of their death.

Requirements for SSS EC Program:

SSS Form B-301 or EC Medical Reimbursement Benefit Application (for medical expenses)
EC Form B-309 (for accident or sickness)
EC Form B-300 or Employee’s Notification
Claim for Disability Benefit (for disability)
Death Claim Application (for death)
Other documents and forms depending on the EC claim.

2. SSS Unemployment Benefits

If you are involuntarily separated from your previous employer, you may qualify for unemployment benefits from SSS. Keep in mind that you should not be over 60 years old at the time of separation and have paid at least 36 months of SSS contributions.

The SSS unemployment benefit is a one-time benefit and must be filed within a year from the date of involuntary separation. If qualified, you will get an amount equal to twice half of your average monthly salary credit or up to PHP 16,800.

However, you will NOT quality for these SSS benefits if your involuntary separation was due to the following:

Serious misconduct
Willful disobedience to lawful orders
Gross and habitual neglect of duties
Fraud or willful breach of trust/loss of confidence
Commission of a crime or offense
Analogous cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, disloyalty, conflict of interest, or dishonesty

Requirements for SSS Unemployment Benefits:

At least 36 months of SSS contributions
Notice of Termination from employer
Unemployment Certificate from the Department of Labor and Employment

3. SSS PESO Fund Program

The SSS Personal Equity Savings Options (PESO) program is a voluntary provident program for SSS members working in the Philippines and abroad. It’s a great option if you want to save for the future. Through the SSS PESO Fund program, you can enjoy tax-free benefits and guaranteed earnings. Your contributions will also be invested in low-risk instruments.

As a PESO fund member, you can make contributions up to PHP 500,000 a year with PHP 1,000 as the minimum annual contribution. You also don’t have to contribute monthly, it’s really up to you.

How to Apply for SSS PESO Fund Program

Requirements to apply for SSS PESO Fund:

54 years old and below
Have paid contributions in the regular SSS program for at least six consecutive months within the 12-month period before your PESO enrollment
Have not filed any claims under the regular SSS program

You can enroll in the PESO Fund by going to your nearest SSS branch. Simply complete the SSS Person Fund Enrollment Form and submit it to the SSS personnel.

You can also enroll online via the My.SSS portal. Log in to your account and click the e-Services tab. Select “PESO Fund” and enroll. You can now begin paying your PESO Fund contributions. Keep in mind that you may be required to personally appear at any SSS branch.

4. SSS Salary Loan

The SSS Salary Loan is one of the most popular SSS benefits members can take advantage of. It is a cash loan for employed, self-employed, or voluntary member who is currently paying their monthly contributions.

You can get either a one-month or a two-one salary loan payable within 24 months in installments. This salary loan also charges an interest rate of 10% per annum and has a 1% service fee.

Requirements for SSS Salary Loan:

At least 36 months of SSS contributions
Member Loan Application Form^[2]
SSS UMID ID
Other two valid IDs

5. SSS Death Benefits

If you are a primary beneficiary of a deceased SSS member, you may get these SSS benefits. With an SSS death benefit, you will get a monthly pension from the agency provided that the late member had paid at least 36 months of contribution before the semester of their death.

How much is the death claim from SSS?

As a beneficiary, you will also get a 13th-month pension payable every December. The monthly pension for the SSS death claim ranges from PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,400.

Requirements for SSS Death Benefits:

The deceased must have at least 36 months of SSS contributions before the semester of death
SSS Form DDR-1 (Death Claim Application)^[3]
Affidavit of Death Benefit
Filer’s Affidavit (Sinumpaang Sanaysay)^[4]
Other documents and forms depending on cause of death

6. SSS Funeral Benefits

The SSS funeral benefit is a cash benefit to the family or whoever paid for the burial expenses of a deceased SSS member.

How much is the burial benefit from SSS?

The funeral benefit’s amount ranges from PHP 20,000 to PHP 40,000, depending on the late member’s number of paid contributions and average monthly salary credit.

Requirements for SSS Funeral Benefits:

The deceased must have paid at least one month of contribution or reported for coverage by employer
SSS Form BPN-103 (Claim for Funeral Benefit)^[5]
Valid IDs of filer
Filer’s Affidavit (Sinumpaang Sanaysay)
Death certificate duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar
Official Receipt issued by the funeral parlor
Affidavit of funeral expenses

7. SSS Maternity Benefits

SSS also offers daily cash allowance for female members unable to work because of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. The maternity allowance is equal to your average daily salary credit.

To qualify for this SSS benefit, you must have at least three months of SSS contribution within the 12 months immediately before the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy.

Requirements for SSS Maternity Benefits:

At least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of childbirth or miscarriage
Must give the required notification of pregnancy to employer or SSS
SSS Maternity Notification Form^[6]
SSS UMID ID
Other two valid IDs
Proof of pregnancy (ultrasound report)

8. SSS Disability Benefits

The SSS also offers cash assistance for members who have become permanently disabled—either totally or partially. With an SSS Disability Benefit, you can get a monthly pension or a lump sum amount. The monthly pension amounts from PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,400. You must have at least 36 months of contribution before the semester of disability to qualify for a monthly pension. If your contributions are less than 36 months, the benefit is paid in a lump sum.

Requirements for SSS Disability Benefits:

At least one month of SSS contribution before the semester of disability
SSS UMID ID
Disability Claim Form^[7]
SSS Form MDD-2 (Medical Certificate)
Other supporting documents

9. SSS Sickness Benefits

This cash assistance from the SSS aims to help members who are unable to work due to sickness or injury. To qualify, you must be unable to work due to sickness or injury for at least four days. You can get a daily benefit allowance of up to 90% of your average daily salary.

To qualify, you must also have at least three months of SSS contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of sickness or injury.

Requirements for SSS Sickness Benefits:

At least three months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of sickness or injury
Used up all sick leaves with pay
Has notified the employer or SSS
Sickness Notification Form^[8]
Two valid IDs
Medical documents, if any

How to Claim SSS Sickness Benefit

To claim the sickness benefit from the SSS, prepare the abovementioned requirements, fill out the SSS Sickness Notification Form, and submit all documents to the nearest SSS branch. You or a representative can do this.

10. SSS Retirement Benefits

If you are a retiring SSS member, you can get retirement benefits paid either in a monthly pension or a lump sum. The monthly pension is a lifetime cash benefit paid on a regular basis, while the lump sum amount is a one-time payment.

To qualify, you must have paid at least 120 months of contribution before the semester of your retirement. You must also be at least 55 years old.

Requirements for SSS Retirement Benefits:

Must be at least 60 years, separated from employer or unable to be self-employed
At least 65 years whether employer or not
At least 120 months of SSS contributions prior to the semester of retirement
Retirement Claim Application^[9]
DDR Signature Card^[10]
DDR Savings Account form
Certificate of Separation from last employer

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How to Claim SSS Benefits

To claim your SSS benefits, make sure to fulfill the eligibility criteria and documents requirements set by the agency. Once you’re all set, go to your nearest SSS branch or representative to file for benefit claim or loan application. In general, the claim is processed and released within 20 working days.

You can also file online by visiting the SSS website. Simply log in to your member account and apply for benefits claim or loan.

ranch to confirm your online enrollment. If you fail to do you, you may not be able to withdraw your savings.

Final Thoughts

Apart from retirement pensions and salary loans, there are many other SSS benefits you can take advantage of. Keep in mind of these benefits so you can further maximize your SSS contributions.

Sources:

10 Helpful SSS Benefits You Might Not Know Of

Moneymax Editorial Team