SSS introduces online benefit applications
Social Security System (SSS) members reaching the technical retirement age of 65 can now file their benefit applications electronically through its website, giving retirees a fast, convenient and paperless alternative to the manual submission of claims.
Agnes San Jose, SSS vicepresident for benefits administration said the new SSS web facility also enables senior citizens to submit their retirement benefit claims without traveling to and lining up at SSS branches, which saves them time, money, and effort.
“Members should first have an email address ready and register with the SSS website (www. sss.gov.ph) so that they can file their technical retirement claims online,” San Jose said.
“Retirees can view the status of their application through our website, and we will notify them through email about the approval of their claim,” she added.
Apart from the minimum age requirement of 65, claimants must also have at least 120 posted monthly contributions to be eligible for the online facility.
Members cannot file their technical retirement claims online if they have canceled or multiple Social Security or “SS” numbers, pending cases with the Social Security Commission, dependent children, or employed as an underground mineworker.
“The retiree-applicant must also have no unpaid SSS loan, unless this outstanding loan balance pertains to an SSS calamity or salary loan, including those borrowed under our Salary Loan Early Renewal Program,” San Jose explained.
After receiving the benefit claim application, the SSS web system will verify whether the member has met the qualifications for the online facility.
The system would either accept the member’s application if all of the requirements were met, or the retiree would be immediately informed of the lacking requirements.
“For example, if a member is below 65 years old and has a canceled SS number, a message will pop-up on the computer screen stating that he is ineligible for the online service due to the said deficiencies. In this case, the member must personally file his claim at the nearest SSS branch,” San Jose said.
Once the online technical retirement claim application is successful, the SSS will provide an acknowledgment receipt which the member may print. Members whose applications are accepted online must not submit another application in an SSS branch to avoid problems in processing their retirement claim.