SSS Online Appointment System for Retirement Applications Now Available!

The Social Security System (SSS) recently announced the availability of its Online Appointment System.  SSS welcomes members who are retiring or have retired from their private employment and wish to file their claims to use the appointment system in creating their schedule to visit an SSS office.  This will help them escape the long lines of SSS members transacting at the different branches, enabling them to accomplish their purpose with less hassle and wait time.

This facility is available for members who have:

• An existing My.SSS account but could not file their retirement claim online.
• At least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of the month of submission of the retirement application.
• At least sixty (60) years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be self-employed except for underground/surface mineworker or racehorse jockey.
• Already applied for retirement benefit but still has to submit additional documentary requirements.

The Online Appointment System is dedicated to retirees who are unable to file their retirement claims online.

If you still do not have My.SSS online account, you can create one by visiting the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph.  You may also call the SSS Call Center at 02-920-6446 to 55 or email member_relations@sss.gov.ph.

Source: www.sss.gov.ph

 

 

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How To Apply for the SSS Loan Restructuring Program

On Monday, April 2, 2018, the Social Security System (SSS) will once again open its doors to members who with unpaid obligations with the agency.  This is another opportunity that the state-run pension  fund is extending to members to allow them to settle overdue loans and regain their good standing with the SSS to avoid problems with their claims later on.

Who can benefit from this offer?

The SSS will condone penalties of member borrowers, making special mention of those who were affected by the Marawi siege and Mayon Volcano eruption.

How will members benefit from the program?

Members with delinquent accounts will not have the opportunity to settle their overdue loan principal and interests – in full payment or through installment basis – with respect to the SSS’ terms, depending on the member’s capacity to pay.

Whether the member is paying in full or through installment basis, the SSS will waive the loan penalties after the member has completed payment for the restructured loan.

Below is a summary of the program’s provisions, for reference:

• Past due payments for the following loans:
  • Salary loan
  • Emergency loan
  • Old educational loan
  • Study Now, Pay Later Plan
  • Voc-tech loans,
  • Y2K loans,
  • Investments Incentive Loan
  • Other loans that were past due for at least six months as of April 2, 2018.
• An interest rate of 3% will be implemented for restructured loans.
• Penalties will be condoned upon full payment, with option to renew the loan after six months.
• Members will be back to “good standing” with the SSS, be able to apply for new loans, and be assured of fully enjoying their final benefit claims in the future.
• Members who were granted condonation in the last loan restructuring program of the SSS will no longer be accommodated.

Visit the nearest SSS branch office in your area now to know more about this offer.  The SSS Loan Restructuring Program will be available until October 1, 2018.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

How Does SSS Compute Your Retirement Benefit?

As an SSS member, you are entitled to retirement benefits as soon as you hit your 60s.  This can be a lump sum amount that you can use to start a small business, or go on a trip as a reward to yourself.  Or you can choose to receive a monthly pension, as if you are still being salaried monthly by an employer.

Can you at least have a ball park figure of how much pension you can expect to receive from the SSS later on?  You may still have about 40 years ahead of you before you hit your 60s but it won’t hurt to get a glimpse.  This way, you can think of alternative ways to secure your finances when you finally become a Senior Citizen.

SSS follows three formulas when computing for a member’s pension.  Keep in mind too that the amount of your pension will largely depend on the salary you received during your employment years, and the amount of contribution you religiously remitted to the system.

If your monthly salary is P30,000.00 and you decide to retire at the age of 60, and you have a total of 30 years of employment behind you with 30 years’ worth of contributions, your pension will be based on whichever amount is higher based on the following calculations:

Example: Average total contribution is P1,790.00 x 30 years x 12 months = P644,400.00

a. The sum of P300 + 20% of average MSC + 2% of the average MSC for each credited year of service in excess of 10 years.

P300 + 20% (AMSC) + 2% (AMSC) for each year of service in excess of 10 years

P300 + (P16,000*20%) + (P16,000 *2%*20 years)

P300 + P3,200 + P6,400

Pension: P9,900.00

 

b. 40% of the AMSC

P16,000 * 40%

Pension: P6,400.00

 

c. P1,200 if the CYS is at least 10 but less than 20; or P2,400 if the CYS is 20 or more.

Pension: P2,400 since you have more than 20 CYS.

Given the above, the retiree will be granted the P9,900 pension as it is the highest value yielded by any of the formulas.

Remember that you shall qualify as a pensioner only if you have contributed at least 120 months or 10 years to the SSS.  If not, you shall be granted a lump sum amount equivalent to your total contribution plus interests.

Most of us may still have about 20 or so years to go before we start thinking about retiring and claiming our monthly pension; but if we start right now, we would be reaping the rewards in due time.  It is our responsibility to ourselves and our families to secure our future and make sure that we shall be properly compensated for all the hard work.

One way to monitor the timely and proper posting of your contributions is by creating an online SSS account.  This way, you can check all the details of your SSS account even without going to an SSS office.

 

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

 

SSS Sickness Benefit: Everything You Need to Know

Getting sick is inevitable.  Whether you are an employee, a business person, or a stay-at-home parent, you will eventually have to take some rest to recuperate from a viral or bacterial infection.  Other times, you might get injured at work and will need some time off to heal and rehabilitate before you are able to go back to your normal daily routine.

The good news is, if you are a member of the SSS, you are entitled to sickness benefits to help you defray expenses when your capacity to earn is lessened due to being confined in bed, a wheelchair, or a hospital.

How to know if you are qualified for SSS Sickness Benefits?

1. You have to be an SSS member.
2. You have been sick or are injured and unable to work; you have been confined in a hospital or at home for at least 4 days.
3. Your contributions are updated or have at least paid three months of monthly contributions before your illness or injury.
4. All your “leave with pay” credits have been used up.
5. Your employer is duly notified of your sickness or injury; if unemployed, voluntary, or self-employed, you must have notified SSS prior to claiming.

If your answer to all five qualifiers is “yes”, you can proceed to the nearest SSS branch to apply for the sickness benefit.

How do I notify the SSS about my illness or injury?

For EMPLOYED members:

An employed member must advise his or her employer within five calendar days of his sickness or injury.  It is the employer’s obligation to advise SSS of the employee’s condition.

• Should you fail to notify your employer within the five-day timeframe, your confinement will be considered to have started five days before you notified him.
• If the employer fails to notify the SSS within the five-day timeframe, your employer will be compensated only for each day of confinement from the 10^th calendar day prior to notifying SSS.
• If you notified your employer but he failed to notify the SSS and as a result, your benefits were denied, he or she must not be able to recover your daily sickness allowance.

For SELF-EMPLOYED members:

You must notify the SSS within five days after getting sick or injured.  If you are confined in a hospital, you have one year to notify the SSS.

What are the requirements when filing?

For EMPLOYED members:

Submit the following to your HR or to your company’s representative to SSS:

1. Duly accomplished sickness notification.
2. Identification card/s and documents (ex: PSA birth certificate)
3. Medical documents, if any.

If the claim is work-related (or if you incurred the sickness or injury at work):

1. Accident/sickness report from the employer, if work-connected; and
2. Police Report (for a vehicular accident with third party involvement);
3. Photocopy of employer’s logbook.

In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:

• Laboratory, X-ray, ECG, and other diagnostic results.
• Operating room/clinical records that will support the diagnosis.

In case of sickness that occurred while on strike/shutdown, the member will file the necessary documents directly at the SSS.  He or she must submit the above requirements, including the following:

• Certificate of Notice of Strike issued by the DOLE.
• Certificate of Foreclosure.
• Certification from the DOLE that the employee or employer has a pending labor case.
• Certificate of Non-advancement of Payment from Employer.

For SELF-EMPLOYED Members:

1. Duly accomplished Sickness Benefit Application (SBA)
2. If filed by the member, present original of any one (1) of the primary ID cards/documents or two (2) secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one (1) with a photo.
3. If filed by member’s representative:
   1. Original of any one of the Authorized Representative’s primary ID cards/documents or two secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with a photo.
   2. Original of any one of the Member’s Primary ID cards/documents or two secondary ID cards/documents, both with signature and at least one with a photo.
4. In case of prolonged confinements or sickness, original/certified true copy of the following:
   1. Laboratory, X-ray, ECG and other diagnostic results.
   2. Operating room/clinical records that will support the diagnosis.

How much will I receive from the SSS?

The amount you will receive will be equal to 90& of your average daily salary credit.  For example: if your average daily credit is Php 1,000, then you will receive Php 900 per day of sickness or confinement.

If you are an employed member, your employer should give you the sickness benefit in advance.

The sickness benefit is granted up to a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year.

 

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

Everything You Need to Know About Your SSS Salary Loan

Every member of the SSS is entitled to benefits and privileges and you do not necessarily have to wait until your retirement age before you take advantage of these.  One such privilege is applying for a salary loan to help you during emergencies such as home repair expenses, hospitalization, and new home appliances.  Applying for an SSS salary loan is quick and easy, especially if you have an online SSS account.

Here are the facts you need to know:

How much can you loan from the SSS if it is your first time to apply?

No two SSS members have the same exact loanable amounts; this will depend on the member’s contributions.  Your loanable amount is the average of the last 12-month salary credits (MSC).

Example:

If you are consistently paying the minimum monthly contribution of P110 with an equivalent MSC of P1,000, your loanable amount is P1,000.

If you are consistently paying the maximum monthly contribution of P1,760 with an equivalent MSC of P16,000, your loanable amount is P16,000.

The maximum loanable amount is P32,000.

How would I know if I am qualified to avail the salary loan?

A member is qualified to apply for a salary loan if he or she has paid at least 36 monthly contributions and has at least six posted monthly contributions within the last 12 months before filing the application.

If you have completed 36 months of contributions but not more than 72 monthly contributions, you will be entitled to one-month salary loan; but if you have paid at least 72 monthly contributions, you are entitled to a two-month salary loan.

I am employed and would like to apply for a salary loan with the SSS.  Should I apply through my employer or do I have the option to go directly to SSS?

A certification for the loan is required of employed members; therefore, if you are employed, you must apply through your employer.  The monthly payments will be automatically deducted from your salary and remittances will be facilitated by your employer.

I am compelled to resign from my job but I still have an outstanding loan with the SSS.  What will happen to my loan after I resign?

The employer will deduct the full balance from the proceeds of the employee’s benefits from the company; the employer shall remit the amount to the SSS.  In case the employee’s separation benefits cannot cover the full amount of the loan, the employer must report the details of the employee’s resignation to the SSS, including the full amount of unpaid loan balance.

I am a freelancer but I would like to get a salary loan from the SSS; what are the requirements and how do I apply?

The same requirements apply for freelance SSS members:

1. The member should have paid at least 36 monthly contributions and has at least 6 posted monthly contributions within the last 12 months before the month of filing of the application.
2. A member who has paid at least 36 months but not more than 72 monthly contributions is entitled to a one-month salary loan while those with at least 72 paid monthly contributions are entitled to a two-month salary loan.

If you are not employed by a company, you may simply file your salary loan at any SSS branch.  Fill-out an application form and photocopy your SSS ID or UMID, or any two valid IDs.

How will the proceeds of my loans be released to me?

The SSS will send a check in your name to your employer. You may have to fill out a few more documents, depending on your employer’s requirements.  Otherwise, you may just have to return the voucher attached to your check to your employer to serve as their record of your loan.  Your loan payments will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary.

You may renew your loan after paying at least 50% of your salary loan.  It is advisable that you keep an online account with the SSS so you can keep track of your payments.

If you have any questions regarding your SSS membership, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

What to Do if You Have More Than One SSS Number

Norma worked as a private school teacher for 35 years.  Before she reached her 60^th birthday, her husband advised her to begin working on her SSS retirement documents just to get a head start.  She was both sorry and thankful that she did; sorry because she discovered a problem that could cost her her entire old age pension, thankful because she discovered it before she actually filed for her retirement.

You see, Norma has had 2 sets of SSS numbers all her life and she didn’t know about it until she personally visited an SSS office to ask for a list of requirements when filing for pension claims.  Apparently, Norma applied for her very first SSS number immediately after graduating from college in 1980.  However, she did not immediately begin contributing to the SSS until two years after when she landed her first job as a teacher.  From 1980 to 1982, she tended their family’s business at the Divisoria and was salaried by her father through commissions.  She did not pay income tax or contributed to SSS during these two years of employment.

When she was hired to teach at the private school in their province, she was requested to fill-out several forms, including Pag-IBIG and SSS application forms.  Unmindful of the pile of documents she had to accomplish, Norma simply supplied all needed information and dutifully submitted these to their HR, completely forgetting that she had already applied for an SSS number two years ago.  She was issued her SSS and PagIBIG numbers, through her employer, and she contributed to both agencies every month through salary deduction.

Now that she is applying for her retirement claims, she was advised by the SSS personnel that there are two sets of SSS numbers assigned to her name.  The first one was assigned to her in April 1980 while the other one was activated in March 1982.  Thankfully, her contributions are intact but are all reflected under the second SSS number.  However, due to this discrepancy, her application for retirement pension may have to be put on hold.

What happens when a person has more than one set of SSS numbers?

An individual’s SSS number is his lifetime identity under the system; all his contributions, loans, and other SSS transactions will be reflected under his number.  Having more than one record with the SSS will surely cause delays in claiming one’s benefits such as his old age pension.

What must you do when you realize you have more than one set of SSS numbers?

The SSS recommends that you file the necessary report with the SSS as soon as you discover that you have more than one set of SSS numbers.

These are the steps in reporting the double assignment of SSS numbers:

1. Visit the nearest SSS branch and bring a copy of your PSA birth certificate or Baptismal Certificate.
2. Request for a blank sheet of COV-01205 or the Request/Verification Form.  Check the appropriate box (request the cancellation of multiple social-security numbers) and supply the rest of the information being asked for.
3. Check the box indicating the consolidation of contributions.  This is especially applicable if the member has had contributions under his original SSS number and the succeeding SSS number/s assigned to him due to multiple registration.
4. As a matter of procedure, the first number that is reported with contributions is the number that is retained.  In Norma’s case, since she did not make any contributions after she was assigned her first SSS number, it is most likely that her second SSS number will be retained.
5. The process of consolidating all contributions and cancellation of the other SSS number takes at least a month to complete.  You will receive a letter from the SSS when the process has been completed.  Only then can you begin working on filing the documents for your claim (pension, death, etc.).

The SSS has upgraded their system so that members can create an account through the SSS website where they can view their contributions and apply updates to their personal information online.  If you still do not have an online SSS account, it may be best to create one now so you can easily check the details of your SSS membership and other important information about your claims and benefits, without having to go to an SSS office.

If you have questions about SSS, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

 

What is the SSS Part 2: The SSS Contribution Table for 2018 and Other Facts

Yesterday we featured the basic information on the Social Security System to help first-time members and SSS applicants appreciate how the social insurance system works.  Now we know that every Filipino, whether employed, self-employed, or unemployed, must have a Social Security number to become entitled to the benefits that the government agency offers.

There are two types of coverage under the SSS, one is the Compulsory Coverage which includes Employers, Employees, and Self-employed individuals.  Another type of coverage is the Voluntary Coverage or the non-mandatory registration and payment of social security contributions.

Who belongs under the Voluntary Coverage category?

1. Voluntary Members (VM)
   1. Individuals previously covered as an SSS member (could be an EE, SE, or OFW);
   2. Must have posted at least one contribution;
   3. No longer employed, self-employed, or listed as an active OFW; he or she must not have any source of income.
   4. Chose to continue paying his SSS contributions to secure his full benefits.
2. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
   1. A Filipino who has sought employment abroad via recruitment of foreign-based employers;
   2. Source of income is from a foreign country; or
   3. A Filipino who resides permanently in a foreign country.
3. Non-Working Spouse (NWS)
   1. A spouse who is not employed and does not have any other source of income;
   2. He or she must be fully devoted to managing the household without any side businesses from which he or she may be deriving income.

 When does coverage of members take effect?

Your SSS insurance coverage shall take effect depending on the type of coverage you have.

1. ER – on the first day that the employee is hired.
2. EE – on the first day of the individual’s employment.
3. SE –

• On the month and year of the SE’s first monthly contribution payment, and must not be earlier than the declared “Start of Business” in the SSS Form E-1;
• Or retroactive on the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment.

4. OFW – On the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment based on the payment deadline for OFWs.
5. NWS – On the applicable month and year of the first contribution payment.

The SSS Schedule of Contributions for 2018

As a member of the SSS, you must have a copy of the schedule of contributions to avoid delays in your payments.

FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES

 

FOR VOLUNTARY MEMBERS AND OFWs

Apart from that, the SSS now requires both employers and employees to have an online SSS account.  This allows you to check the posting of your contributions and other details you need to know about your membership, even when you do not have access to an SSS branch office.  You may also apply for a salary loan right from your online account; it is a convenient and secure way of availing one of your many privileges as an SSS member.

Want to know how your pension will be computed and if you have the option to withdraw it before you reach your retirement age?  Visit us again tomorrow.

If you have questions about your SSS membership, drom us a line and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: http://www.sss.gov.ph

What is the SSS?

If you are graduating from college in a few months or have just recently started applying for a job, you are most likely to apply for your very own SSS membership.  Like what I said in my previous entry, for the young and the restless, an SSS number is nothing more than a pre-employment requirement that needs to be accomplished and submitted.  I had to learn the facts on my own and when I did, I was thankful I worked on my membership at an early age and have not neglected to pay my contributions ever since.

What exactly is the SSS and how much of your income should go to it?  Is it really wise to invest in it now while you’re young or would you much rather put your hard-earned money in a private life insurance firm that secures both you and your dependents?

Find the answers to these questions, and more, as I share to you what I’ve learned over the years about SSS and why it is considered one of the most important memberships and investments you should have.

What is the SSS?

The Social Security System (SSS) is an insurance program mandated by the Philippine government to cover all income earners in the private sector.  Government employees are covered by GSIS but also have the option to voluntarily contribute to the SSS.

How much should I be paying SSS, whether I am an employed member or a voluntary member?

It really all depends on your compensation.

An employed member must be contributing 11% of the monthly salary credit, not exceeding P16,000.  The amount is shared by the employee and his employer in the following rates:

• Employer – 7.37%
• Employee – 3.63%

Example:

Monthly salary: P30,000

Contribution is based on: P16,000 (highest monthly salary credit)

Amount to be paid by EMPLOYEE to SSS: P581.30

Amount to be paid by EMPLOYER to SSS: P1,208.70

Your TOTAL CONTRIBUTION SHOULD BE: P1,790 per month

Self-employed and voluntary members must contribute at a rate of 11% of the monthly salary credit which is then based on the monthly earnings declared at the time of registration:

• OFWs – MSC is P5,000
• Non-working spouses – MSC is based on 50% of the working spouse’s last posted monthly salary credit, but not lower than P1,000.

What is compulsory coverage and who are under this type of coverage?

Compulsory coverage is the mandatory registration of employees, employers, and self-employed persons with the SSS.

They are the following:

Employer (ER) – any person who pays for the services of another person for his business, trade, industry, or undertaking.

Employee (EE)

• A worker in the private sector, whether permanent, temporary, or provisional, and not over 60 years old;
• A house helper who is not over 60 years old;
• A seafarer, upon signing of the standard employment contract and actual deployment by the manning agency and the foreign principal;
• A worker of a foreign government or international organization, or its wholly-owned instrumentalities, with an approved Administrative Agreement with the SSS.

Self-employed (SE)

• Anybody who is engaged in trade, business, or occupation but is not employed by anyone other than himself;
• Derives an income of at least P1,000 a month from his/her physical and mental efforts, and
• Is not over 60 years old.

Tomorrow we shall feature voluntary membership, insurance coverage, and the contribution table for 2017.  Stay tuned!

If you have any questions about your SSS membership, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

Reference: www.sss.gov.ph

Claiming Your SSS and Philhealth Benefits: A Right and A Responsibility

Matagal na akong hindi nakapag hulog sa aking SSS / Philhealth account; ngayon, may sakit ako at maco-confine.  Pwede ko bang habulin ang mga nalibanan kong buwan para makapag claim pa din ako ng benefits?

This is a common question we receive from followers.  Apparently, a lot of Filipinos think that paying their monthly contributions for government-mandated insurances is optional.

It isn’t.  We all need to activate our SSS and Philhealth memberships and diligently remit our monthly contributions to ensure that we are protected and covered by benefits.

We summarized SSS and Philhealth’s requirements and needed premium payments before a member can claim his benefits from these government agencies.  We aim to encourage everyone to update and maintain their monthly contributions to ensure hassle-free benefits claim anytime emergency strikes.

Read on.

Philhealth

• Member must have paid at least three months’ premium contributions within the immediate six-month period prior to the first day of confinement to avail of benefits.
• Philhealth does not accept retroactive payments for unpaid months.
• Contributions made on admission date, during the confinement period, or after the member or dependent is discharged from the health care institution will not be counted as qualifying contributions.

What are the requirements for eligibility and when is a member eligible to claim?

Sponsored Members	Date of hospitalization/availment must be within the effectivity period indicated in the member’s ID and MDR.
Individually Paying Members	1. There are certain confinement cases wherein three months worth of premium within the last sixmonths (3/6) prior to confinement is acceptable. 2. For pregnancy-related cases, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other selected surgical procedures, the member must have paid nine months worth of premium within the last twelve months.
Lifetime Member	The member just has to show their Lifetime ID Card; no need to pay premiums anymore.  This now includes Senior Citizens; in which case, all they need to show is their SC IDs.
Employed Members	Three months worth of premium within the last six months (3/6) prior to hospitalization.
Overseas Workers	Date of hospitalization/availment must be within the coverage period specified in the member’s MDR.

 

SSS

A. Maternity Benefits

The maternity benefit is offered only to female SSS members.  A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if:

1. She has paid at least three monthly contributions within the 12-month period immediately preceding the semester of her childbirth or miscarriage.
2. She has given the required notification of her pregnancy to SSS through her employer if employed; or submitted the maternity notification directly to the SSS if separated from employment, a voluntary or self-employed member.
3. SSS does not accept retroactive payments for unpaid months.

The maternity benefit shall be paid only for the first four (4) deliveries or miscarriages.

B. Sickness Benefits

The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.

A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if:

1. He is unable to work due to sickness or injury and confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days;
2. He has paid at least three months of contributions within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of sickness or injury;
3. He has used up all current company sick leaves with pay; and
4. He has notified the ER, or directly the SSS, if separated from employment, VM or SE regarding his sickness or injury.

C. Retirement

The retirement benefit is a cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or as lump sum to a member who can no longer work due to old age.

A member is qualified to avail of this benefit if:

1. Member must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement and is any of the following, whichever is applicable:
   • At least 60 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE/OFW/Household Helper (optional retirement);
   • At least 65 years old whether still employed/SE, working as OFW/Household Helper or not (technical retirement);
   • At least 55 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE, if an “underground mineworker” (optional retirement);
   • At least 60 years old whether still employed/SE or not, 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).
2. A former retiree-pensioner whose monthly pension was suspended due to re-employment / self-employment and is now separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE.
3. A member who is 60 years old and above, but not yet 65, with 120 contributions or more may continue paying as VM up to 65 years old to avail of the higher amount of benefit.

If you have questions regarding benefit claims from Philhealth and SSS, send us a message and we will do our best to find the answers for you.

 

Sources:

www.sss.gov.ph

www.philhealth.gov.ph

How to Compute Your SSS Pension

As paying members of the Social Security System (SSS), we are all looking forward to that day when we can just sit back, relax, and wait for our monthly pension to arrive.  We count the years until we are prepared to retire from our jobs and finally be able to take that much needed vacation, spend quality time with our children, and no longer be bothered by “work”.  We look forward to that day when we can finally ask ourselves, “What do I do with all these free time on my hands?”

But the question we should all be asking at this point is, how much must I expect as monthly pension from the SSS and will that be enough to sustain my needs as I approach my senior years?

To help you determine your monthly pension, here is a guide lifted from the SSS website and a recent article from the Manila Bulletin.

WHAT IS YOUR SSS COVERAGE?

Are you under the Compulsory or Voluntary program of the SSS?

The Compulsory program covers employers and their employees, as well as self-employed individuals.  Their contributions are automatically deducted from their monthly salaries and remitted by their employers to SSS.

Voluntary members are OFWs, non-working spouses of SSS members, and members who have separated (resigned) from their jobs.  They pay their monthly contributions “voluntarily” by going to SSS offices or accredited payment centers.

Apart from the two programs, SSS also encourages its members to establish a separate savings account under the SSS Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) to add to their retirement funds.  This is a tax-free investment fund that can earn income based on interest rates of five-year Treasury yields.  At a minimum amount of Php 1,000 per month, a qualified SSS member is able to basically double his SSS savings.

HOW DO YOU COMPUTE FOR YOUR RETIREMENT PENSION?

A member’s pension is determined based on the number of credited years of service (CYS) and the number of dependent minor children.

There are three formulae that the SSS uses to compute for a member’s pension; the monthly pension will be the highest amount resulting from any of the three formulae.

1. The sum of = Php 300.00 + 20% of the Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC) + 2% of the AMSC for each Credited Year of Service (CYS) in excess of 10 years, OR
2. 40 % of the AMSC, OR
3. Php 1,200.00 if the CYS is at least 10 but less than 20.
4. Php 2,400 if the CYS is 20 or more.

Note: The AMSC is determined by the SSS based on your monthly compensation.  Salaries from Php 15,750 and above are assigned an AMSC of 16,000.

Example:

Using formula number 1, here is a sample computation for an individual who:

1. Is earning Php 30,000.00 monthly
2. Has worked and contributed to the SSS for 40 years

Monthly Pension (MP) = P300 + (20% of AMSC) + (2% of AMSC x 30 years (40 years – 10))

MP = Php 300.00 + (20% x 16,000.00) + (2% x 16,000 x 30 years)

MP = Php 300 + 3,200 + 9,600

MP = Php 13,100.00

ARE YOU QUALIFIED YET?

There are two ways to determine if you are qualified for SSS retirement benefits:

a. You are 60 years old and are no longer working or have ceased to be self-employed.  You have made at least 120 monthly contributions before the semester of retirement.

b. You are 65 years old – may be employed or not – and have made at least 120 monthly contributions before the semester of retirement.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR SSS MONEY

There are also two ways to receive your retirement benefits:

a. Lifetime monthly pension – receive your pension monthly through the bank that you pick as your designated bank.

b. Lump sum – receive the first 18 months of your pension at a discounted rate determined by the SSS.  Your monthly pension will begin on the 19^th month.

WHAT ARE THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO PREPARE?

Be ready with the following IDs and documents when filing for your retirement benefits:

1. Retirement claim application form (SSS Form DDR – 1);
2. DDR Saving Account form;
3. Certificate of Separation from last employer (for members less than 65 years old);
4. Passbook (if pension);
5. Certified true copies of birth or baptismal certificate of dependent children;
6. Certificate of cessation of business or practice of profession (for self-employed less than 65 years old);
7. Certified true copy of marriage certificate (if with dependent children);
8. Proofs of filiation for illegitimate dependent children; and
9. SSS digitized or E-6 (acknowledgment stub) with two valid IDs, one of which has a recent photo.

For a more thorough and accurate computation of your retirement benefit, visit the nearest SSS branch.

Source:

http://www.mb.com.ph/how-much-will-you-get-from-the-sss-when-you-retire/

https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/appmanager/pages.jsp?page=retirementpension