SSS extends benefit to members until death

IT is now more than two months since the President of the Philippines declared a State of Calamity throughout the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of positive cases and hundreds of deaths were reported, and these numbers continue to rise despite the government’s efforts to ensure public health and safety in the midst of the pandemic.

In times like this, what most Filipinos need is social protection against contingencies, such as death. The Social Security System (SSS) is one of the government agencies mandated by law to provide social protection to workers, particularly in the private sector, as well as by individually paying members, and their beneficiaries.

One of the benefits that the SSS provides is Death Benefit. It is a cash benefit granted either as a monthly pension or lump sum amount to the beneficiaries of a deceased member. Considered as primary beneficiaries are the legal spouse (until the spouse remarries) and the legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate dependent children below 21 years old, or if over 21 years old, the dependent child or children is incapacitated and is not capable of self-support. Meanwhile, considered secondary beneficiaries are the member’s parents.

A monthly pension is given to the primary beneficiaries of the deceased member who has paid at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. They are also entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December, and P1,000 additional benefit on top of the monthly pension. On the other hand, a one-time lump sum amount is given to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who has paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. Also, the secondary beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum benefit.

The SSS also provides Funeral Benefit to help defray the cost of funeral expenses of the deceased member. The benefit, which ranges from a minimum of P20,000 to a maximum of P40,000 depending on the member’s number of contributions and average monthly salary credit, is paid to those who

During this pandemic, many lives were lost and some of them could possibly be SSS members. However, with limited SSS operations in Luzon and the National Capital Region (NCR), filing for death and funeral benefit claims may take a backseat for now until we are able find a cure to the virus. We want to be part of the solution, thus, we do not encourage our members to flock to our offices, to expose themselves, and thereby become easy targets of this deadly virus.

actually shouldered the funeral expenses.

During this pandemic, many lives were lost and some of them could possibly be SSS members. However, with limited SSS operations in Luzon and the National Capital Region (NCR), filing for death and funeral benefit claims may take a backseat for now until we are able find a cure to the virus. We want to be part of the solution, thus, we do not encourage our members to flock to our offices, to expose themselves, and thereby become easy targets of this deadly virus.

Nevertheless, the SSS has also prepared our offices for members with urgent needs by setting protocols in handling transacting clients as precautionary and preventive measures so that we serve our members in a safe and efficient manner. Most of our branches are implementing a no-contact Dropbox System, wherein members are asked to place their application and supporting documents in a sealed envelope with the member’s complete name, SS Number and contact number written outside it, and then dropped inside a box placed outside the SSS office. Some of our branches are also implementing the number-coding scheme in accepting applications for benefits and loans, wherein the transaction day shall be based on the last digit of the member’s SS number.

Before they go to any SSS branch, members and claimants are advised to download the benefit application form from the SSS web site (www.sss. gov.ph) and accomplish the form as required. Please ensure that contact numbers and e-mail addresses are correct and up-to-date, and all required supporting documents have extra copies.

We highly encourage our members to use our various online services such as the MY.SSS in the SSS web site, Mobile App, Text SSS (2600), IVRS at 7917-7777, and SSS E-mail (member_relations@sss.gov. ph) for simple transactions. You may also follow our official social-media accounts for more updates.

We look forward to serving you at 100 percent operational capacity very soon. Until then, let us keep ourselves safe and healthy!

Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.

We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss.gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.