Example of Section Blog layout (FAQ section)

What is a salary loan?
It is a loan intended to meet a member's short-termcredit needs.

Who may qualify for a salary loan?

• An employed, currently paying self-employed or voluntary member (SE/VM) who has 6 posted monthly contributions for the last 12 months prior to the month of filing of application.

1. For one-month loan, the member-borrower must have 36 posted monthly contributions prior to the month of  filing of application.
2. For a two-month loan, the member-borrower must have 72 posted monthly contributions prior to the month of filing of application.

• If the member-borrower is employed, the employer must be updated in contributions and loan remittances.
• The member-borrower must be updated-current in the payment of other member loans, which include educational, stock investment, MADE & housing loans granted under the Unified Housing Loan program (UHLP) or direct from SSS.
• The member-borrower has not been granted final benefit (total permanent disability, retirement and death).
• The member-borrower has not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS.

How much is the loanable amount?
A one-month salary loan is equivalent to the average of the member’s latest 12 monthly credits posted.

A two-month salary loan is equivalent to twice the average of the member’s latest 12 monthly salary credits posted (rounded to the next higher monthly salary credit), but not to exceed P24,000.

How long will it take the member to pay back the loan?
The one-month or two-month salary loan shall be payable within two (2) years in 24 equal monthly installments.

How much is the interest charged on a salary loan?
The loan shall be charged a nominal interest of 10% per annum. First year’s interest shall be deducted in advance from the proceeds of the loan. Second year’s interest shall be included in the monthly amortizations.

In case a loan is not paid, how much is the delinquency interest?
Loan amortization not remitted on due date shall bear a penalty of 1% per month.

Is there a service fee?
Yes. A service fee of 1% of the loan amount shall be charged and deducted from the proceeds of the loan.
 

When can a member renew a salary loan with the SSS? The loan may be renewed after the prescribed amortization period of two (2) years. Balance of P500 or less shall be deducted from the proceeds of the new loan.

How does a member pay back the loan?
For employed member-borrower (including participants of the fast track program), the first deduction from their salaries shall start on the second month following the date of loan. All remittances shall be made on or before the 10th day following the applicable month of deduction to the SSS or to any of its authorized banks.

The employee is obliged to report to the new employer his obligations with SSS and shall allow the new employer to deduct from his salary the corresponding amortizations due, plus any penalty for late remittance of amortizations.

For self-employed or voluntary paying member-borrowers, the first amortization shall be paid to the SSS or any of its authorized banks on or before the 10th day of the third month following the date of loan.

What are the obligations of the employer to the SSS?
The employer shall be responsible for the collection and remittance to the SSS of the amortization(s) due on the member-borrower’s salary loan through payroll deduction.

The employer shall require new employees to secure from the SSS an updated statement of account.

The new employer shall continue the deduction and shall be accountable for remittance to the SSS.

I

n case of transfer, separation, or resignation, how can a borrower pay back the loan?
In case a member-borrower is separated voluntarily, (e.g. retirement or resignation) or involuntarily, (e.g. termination of employment or cessation of operations of the company), the employer shall be required to deduct the total balance of the loan from any benefit(s) due to the employee and shall remit the same in full to SSS.

If the benefit(s) due the employee or the amount thereof legally available for offset of obligations of the employee is insufficient to fully repay the loan, the employer shall report the unpaid loan balance to SSS.

In case of member-borrower’s death, total disability or retirement, what happens to the unpaid loan?
In case of member’s’s death, total disability or retirement under the Social Security Act, the entire amount or any unpaid amount of the loan as well as the interest and penalty thereon, If any,shall be deducted from the corresponding benefit.

What are the papers/documents needed for filing a salary loan?

An employed member shall submitan accomplished SSS Form ISL-101 (Member Loan Application Revised March 2004) and present the digitized SSS ID cards or E-6 acknowledgement stub with 2 (2) IDs listed below one of which with recent photo and date of birth.

A self-employed, voluntary member, overseas worker, non-working spouse, farmer or fisherfolk and house hold-helper shall submit an accomplished SSS Form ISL-101 and present the digitized ID card or E-6 acknowledgement stub with any two (2) of the following valid IDs,one of which with recent photo and date of birth.

• Unexpired Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID Card
• Passport
• Postal ID
• School or Company ID
• Tax Identification Number Card (TIN)

Where can a borrower file the salary loan application?
A borrower may file the salary loan application at the nearest SSS branch or representative office.

NOTE:
The employer shall submit annually an updated SSS Form L-501 (Specimen Signature Card) to avoid delay in the processing of salary loan applications.

When can a member renew a salary loan with the SSS?
The loan may be renewed after the prescribed amortization period of two (2) years. Balance of P500 or less shall be deducted from the proceeds of the new loan.

How does a member pay back the loan?
For employed member-borrower (including participants of the fast track program), the first deduction from their salaries shall start on the second month following the date of loan. All remittances shall be made on or before the 10th day following the applicable month of deduction to the SSS or to any of its authorized banks.

The employee is obliged to report to the new employer his obligations with SSS and shall allow the new employer to deduct from his salary the corresponding amortizations due, plus any penalty for late remittance of amortizations.

For self-employed or voluntary paying member-borrowers, the first amortization shall be paid to the SSS or any of its authorized banks on or before the 10th day of the third month following the date of loan.

What are the obligations of the employer to the SSS?
The employer shall be responsible for the collection and remittance to the SSS of the amortization(s) due on the member-borrower’s salary loan through payroll deduction.

The employer shall require new employees to secure from the SSS an updated statement of account.

The new employer shall continue the deduction and shall be accountable for remittance to the SSS.

In case of transfer, separation, or resignation, how can a borrower pay back the loan?
In case a member-borrower is separated voluntarily, (e.g. retirement or resignation) or involuntarily, (e.g. termination of employment or cessation of operations of the company), the employer shall be required to deduct the total balance of the loan from any benefit(s) due to the employee and shall remit the same in full to SSS.

If the benefit(s) due the employee or the amount thereof legally available for offset of obligations of the employee is insufficient to fully repay the loan, the employer shall report the unpaid loan balance to SSS.

In case of member-borrower’s death, total disability or retirement, what happens to the unpaid loan?
In case of member’s’s death, total disability or retirement under the Social Security Act, the entire amount or any unpaid amount of the loan as well as the interest and penalty thereon, If any,shall be deducted from the corresponding benefit.

What are the papers/documents needed for filing a salary loan?
An employed member shall submitan accomplished SSS Form ISL-101 (Member Loan Application Revised March 2004) and present the digitized SSS ID cards or E-6 acknowledgement stub with 2 (2) IDs listed below one of which with recent photo and date of birth.

A self-employed, voluntary member, overseas worker, non-working spouse, farmer or fisherfolk and house hold-helper shall submit an accomplished SSS Form ISL-101 and present the digitized ID card or E-6 acknowledgement stub with any two (2) of the following valid IDs,one of which with recent photo and date of birth.

• Unexpired Driver’s License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID Card
• Passport
• Postal ID
• School or Company ID
• Tax Identification Number Card (TIN)

Where can a borrower file the salary loan application?
A borrower may file the salary loan application at the nearest SSS branch or representative office.

NOTE:
The employer shall submit annually an updated SSS Form L-501 (Specimen Signature Card) to avoid delay in the processing of salary loan applications.

What is the death benefit?
It is a cash benefit either in monthly pension or lump sum paid to the beneficiaries of a deceased member.

Who are the beneficiaries of a deceased member?
The primary beneficiaries are the legitimate dependent spouse until the person remarries and the dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the member who are not yet 21 years old. In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the dependent parents shall be the secondary beneficiaries. In their absence, any other person designated by the member as beneficiary in the member’s record.

What are the types of death benefits?
They are:

1. The monthly pension - The monthly pension is granted only to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death.
2. The lump sum amount - The lump sum is the amount granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. The secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit.

How much is the monthly pension?
The monthly pension depends on the member’s paid contributions, including the credited yeas of service (CYS) and the number of dependent minor children but not to exceed five.

The amount of monthly pension will be the highest of:

1. The sum of P300 plus 20 percent of the average monthly salary credit plus two percent of the average monthly salary credit for each credited year of service (CYS) in excess of 10 years; or
2. 40 percent of the average monthly salary credit; or
3. P1,000 if the member had less than 10 credited years of service (CYS); P1,200 if with at least 10 CYS; or P2,400 if with at least 20 CYS. The monthly pension is paid for not less than 60 months.

If the deceased member is survived by legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted and illegitimate children, how is the monthly pension divided?
If a deceased member is survived by less than five minor legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted children, the illegitimate minor children will be entitled to 50 percent of the share of the legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted children in the basic pension and 100 percent of the dependents' pension.

In cases where there are no legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted children, the illegitimate minor children shall be entitled to 100 percent of the basic pension.

How is the monthly pension paid?
The monthly pension is paid thru the beneficiary’s designated bank. The beneficiary is allowed to choose the bank nearest his residence thru which he wishes to receive his pension benefits under the “Mag-impok sa Bangko” program. This became mandatory effective September 1, 1993.

The beneficiary must open a single savings account and must submit to the SSS his saving account number and a photocopy of his passbook upon filing of application. The original passbook must be presented for authentication purposes.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the beneficiary informing him when to withdraw his benefit from the bank.

How much is the lump sum death benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who has paid less than 36 monthly contributions shall be entitled to lump sum benefit which shall be the higher of:

• Monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid prior to the semester of death; or
• Twelve (12) times the monthly pension.

The secondary beneficiaries of the deceased member shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to:

• 36 times the monthly pension; if the member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death; or
• Monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid or twelve (12) times the monthly pension, whichever is higher, if the member has paid less than 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

Is there anything else a deceased member's beneficiaries can avail of?
Yes, the deceased member’s beneficiaries are entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December and the funeral benefit, which is paid to whoever, shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member.

Survivorship pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are also entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth. They need to register under PhilHealth and must submit a DDR print-out indicating the type of claim is survivorship in nature and the effectivity date of pension or a copy of Death/Survivorship Certification issued by the SSS indicating the effectivity of the pension shall be submitted to PhilHealth.

Survivorship pensioners under the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 and thereafter, are no longer covered. However, those who wish to avail of PhilHealth benefits may enroll in the Individually - Paying Program (for voluntary/self-employed) or the Indigent Program (IP) of PhilHealth.

If the deceased member has not paid any single contribution, are the beneficiaries still entitled to the death and funeral benefits?
The primary or secondary beneficiaries of a deceased employee-member, who had no contribution payment at all and who was reported for coverage shall be entitled to funeral benefit only.

Are the children of a deceased member entitled to the dependents' pension?
The dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted or illegitimate children, conceived on or before the date of death of a deceased will each receive a dependents’ pension equivalent to 10 percent of the members’ monthly pension or P250, whichever is higher.

Only five minor children, beginning from the youngest, are entitled to the dependents’ pension. No substitution is allowed.

Where there are more than five (5) legitimate and illegitimate minor children, the legitimate shall be preferred.

For how long will the dependent child receive his pension?
The dependents’ pension stops when the child reaches 21 years old, gets married, gets employed or dies. However, the dependents’ pension is granted for life to children who are over 21 years old, provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect which is congenital and acquired during minority.

What is the funeral grant?
A funeral grant of P20,000 (effective September 1, 2000) is given to whoever pays the burial expenses of the deceased member or pensioner.

What are the documents needed in filing death and funeral claims?
For Death Claim

1. Death claim application (SSS DDR-1)
2. Filers affidavit
3. DDR Savings Account Form
4. Passbook (for Pension)
5. Report of Death (if cause of death is work-connected)
6. SSS Form CLD 13A (Affidavit for Death Claim, if claimant is a secondary beneficiary)
7. SSS Form CLD 13 (Joint affidavit, if claimant is a legal heir)
8. Photo of filer and valid IDs
9. If married, marriage certificate of the deceased and birth certificates of minor children (duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)
10. If single, the deceased member’s birth certificate and marriage certificate of the parents (duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)

Note:
Other papers may be required as they are found to be necessary during the processing of the claim.


For Funeral Claim

1. Claim for Funeral Benefit (SSS Form BPN-103)
2. Death certificate duly certified by the local Civil Registrar
3. Receipt of payment issued by the funeral parlor
4. Affidavit of funeral expenses
5. Report of Death (if cause of death is work-connected)
6. Photo of filer and valid IDs

Original or certified true copies of the supporting documents should be presented during the filing of the claim.

Where does the beneficiary file for the funeral or death benefit?
Application forms for funeral/death benefit can be filed at any SSS branch or representative office.
 

What is the Employees' Compensation Program?
The Employees’ Compensation (EC) program aims to assist workers who suffer work-connected sickness or injury resulting in disability or death. The benefits under the EC program may be enjoyed simultaneously with benefits under the social security program effective June 1984.

Who are covered under the EC program?  
All SSS-registered employers and their employees are compulsorily covered under the program. Employers and employees registered in the SSS need not register again under EC.

How much is the monthly EC contribution?
Only the employer is required to remit monthly EC contributions on behalf of the employees, equivalent to one per cent of the employee’s monthly salary credit. The required contribution under the current rate is P10.

How long is an employer obliged to pay for the EC contributions of his employee?
For as long as the employee works for him/her employer is obliged to pay EC contributions. The obligation of the employer ceases when an employee is separated from employment or, if the employee dies during employment.

When a covered employee becomes disabled during employment, the employer’s obligation to pay the monthly contribution arising from the employment will be suspended during such months that the employee is not receiving salary or wages.

What are the benefits under the EC program?
Benefits under the Employees' Compensation program include:

1. Medical services, appliances and supplies provided to the afflicted member beginning on the first day of injury or sickness, during the subsequent period of disability, and as the progress of recovery may require. These benefits, however, are limited to the ward services only of an accredited hospital and physician.Ward services, consist of all the services an in-patients would ordinarily receive in a hospital.
2. Rehabilitation services, consisting of medical, surgical and hospital treatment. The SSS also provides as soon as practicable, a balanced program of remedial treatment for handicapped members.
3. Income cash benefit for:

• Temporary total disability or sickness. An income cash benefit equivalent to 90 per cent of the average daily salary credit with a minimum of P10 and a maximum of P200 (effective Nov. 1, 1996). It is payable for a period not longer than 120 consecutive days. If the injury requires more treatment, the period may be extended up to 240 days. If it persist after this period, the injury will be considered as permanent total disability. This benefit is advanced by the employer every regular payday. The amount legally paid by the employer is reimbursed 100 per cent by the SSS in the form of cheque or thru the bank.
• Permanent total disability (loss of two limbs, permanent complete paralysis of two limbs, etc.). This benefit is a monthly pension paid for as long as the injured lives plus 10 per cent for each of the five dependent children beginning with the youngest and without substitution. The monthly pension is guaranteed for five years but will be suspended if the employee is gainfully employed, recovers from permanent total disability, or fails to present himself/herself for examination at least once a year upon notice by the SSS or fails to submit a quarterly medical report certified by the attending physician as required under Section 5, Rule IV of the EC law. The minimum monthly income benefit is P2,000.

Beginning Jan. 1,1991, a permanent total disability pensioner is also given a supplemental allowance in addition to the monthly pension. This allowance will provide additional financial assistance to meet the extra needs arising from the disability. Effective May 1, 1993, the supplemental allowance is P575 a month. Upon the death of an EC permanent total or permanent partial disability pensioner,the SSS will pay to the primary beneficiaries 100 per cent of the monthly pension. In addition, the dependents will be paid the dependent’s pension. If the deceased pensioner has no primary beneficiaries, the SSS will pay to the secondary beneficiaries the remaining balance of the five-year guaranteed period, excluding the dependent’s pension.

• Permanent partial disability (such as loss of one thumb, finger, leg). A monthly pension is provided to the member equivalent to the pension for permanent total disability but limited to the number of months designated by law for a particular disability. The minimum monthly pension is P2,000. However, if the period of permanent partial disability pension is less than a year, the benefit may be paid in lump sum.
• Death. A monthly pension is provided to the deceased member’s primary beneficiaries, plus 10 per cent of such benefit for each of five dependent children, subject to some limitations. In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries are entitled to the monthly pension but not to exceed 60 months. The minimum monthly pension for the death benefit is P2,000. Under the EC program, a funeral benefit of P10,000 will also be paid to any person who actually shouldered the burial expenses of the deceased member..

What are the qualifications for EC benefits?

1. Employees should be duly reported to the SSS;
2. Employees’ sickness, injury or death is work- connected; and
3. The SSS has been duly notified of such sickness, injury or death.

 
Under what conditions can an injury, sickness or death be compensable under EC?
A sickness, injury, disability or death resulting from an employment accident is compensable if:

1. The employee is injured at the workplace;
2. The employee is performing official functions; and
3. If the injury is sustained elsewhere, the employee is executing an order for the employer.

Under what conditions can an injury, sickness or death be deemed incompensable under EC?
No compensation will be allowed to an employee or the dependents if the injury, sickness, disability or death is due to:

1. Drunkenness;
2. Willful intention to injure or kill himself or another; or
3. Notorious negligence.

What should an employee do to file for an EC claim?
The employer should be notified of the member’s sickness, injury or death within five days from the occurrence of the contingency. Notice is not necessary if the contingency occured during working hours, at the place of work and with the knowledge of the employer or representative.

On the other hand, what should the employer do upon the employee's submission of his notice?
Pursuant to Section 2 Rule XVI - Employer’s Records and Notices of PD 626 or the Employee’s Compensation Law, all employers are required to keep a logbook to record chronologically the sickness, injury or death of their employees setting forth therein their names, dates and places of contingency and absences. Entries in the logbook shall be made within five (5) days from notice of knowledge of the occurrence of the contingency. Within five (5) days after entry in the logbook, the employer shall report to the SSS those contingencies it deems to be work-connected.
 
All entries in the employer’s logbook shall be made by the employer or any of the authorized official after verification of the contingencies or the employee’s absence for a period of a day or more. Upon request by the System, the employer shall furnish the necessary certificate regarding information about any contingency appearing in the logbook, citing the entry number, page number and date. Such logbook shall be made available for inspection to the duly authorized representative of the System.

What will happen if the employer fails to record the sickness, injury or death of any of the employees in the logbook?
Failure of the employer to keep a logbook or to give false information or withold material information already in possesion shall make the employer liable for fifty per cent (50%) of the lump sum equivalent of the income benefit to which the employee may be found to be entitled, the payment of which shall accrue to the State Insurance Fund.
 
In case of payment of benefit for any claim which is later determined to be fraudulent and the employer is found to be a party to the fraud, such employer shall reimburse the System the full amount of the compensation paid.

Who are the legal dependents of a member?

1. Legitimate spouse living with the employee at the time of his/her death until he remarries; and the
2. Legitimate, legitimated, legally adpoted or acknowledged natural children, who are unmarried, not gainfully employed, not over 21 years of age, or over 21 years of age, provided that they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect which is congenital or acquired during minority; provided further, that a dependent acknowledged natural child shall be considered as a primary beneficiary only when there are no other dependent children who are qualified and eligible for monthly income benefit; provided finally, that if there are two or more acknowledged natural children, they shall be counted from the youngest and without substitution, but not exceeding five (ECC Resolution No. 2799, July 25, 1984)

The secondary beneficiaries are the:

1. Legitimate parents wholly dependent upon the employee for regular support:
2. The legitimate descendants and illegitimate children who are unmarried , not gainfully employed, and not over 21 years of age, or over 21 years of age provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect which is congenital or acquires during minority.

What will happen to the monthly death pension if the member has no primary and secondary beneficiaries?
If the deceased member has no primary and secondary beneficiaries at the time of death, the benefit will accrue to the EC fund.

What forms are needed to file for EC claims?
For medical expenses:

1. SSS Form B-301 (EC Medical Reimbursement Benefit Application)

For temporary total disability or sickness:

1. EC Form B-309 (Accident/Sickness Report)
2. EC Form B-300 (Employee’s Notification); and
3. SSS Form B-304 (Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application).

For disability:

1. Claim for Disability Benefit; and
2. SSS Form MMD-102 (Medical Certificate).

For death:

1. BPN-105 (Report of death) and
2. DDR-1 (Death Claim Application).

For funeral expenses:

1. BPN-103 (Claim for funeral expenses);
2. Death certificate of deceased member duly certified by the local Civil Registrar; and
3. Official receipt from the funeral parlor
4. BPN-105 (Report of death)

NOTE:
Other documents may be required as they are found to be necessary during the processing of the claim.

What other documents are needed for an EC death claim?
For Primary Beneficiaries:

1. Original or certified true copy (signed by the Local Civil Registrar) of:

• Death certificate of member;
• Birth certificate(s) of minor children; and
• Marriage certificate of member.

For illegitimate children
(acknowledged natural children whose parents have no legal impediment to marry)

• Original or certified true copy (signed by the Local Civil Registrar) of:

           -  Death certificate of deceased;
           -  Birth certificate of the children; and
           -  Joint Affidavit of two disinterested persons that parent have no legal impediment to marry.

• If minor children are orphaned, guardianship will be filed by grandparent, eldest brother or sister or any guardian. The guardian will apply for an appointment as representative payee through a competent court or the System.

For Secondary Beneficiaries:
Parents of deceased:

• Original or certified true copy (signed by the Local Civil Registrar) of:

• SSS Form CLD-1.3A (Affidavit for Death Benefit Claim)

For illegitimate children
(Parents have legal impediment to marry and claims are to be filed by their guardian)

• Original or certified true copy (signed by the local civil registrar) of:

       -  Death certificate of deceased;
       -  Death certificates of parents of deceased, if both are no longer living;
       -  Birth certificate of the children; and
       -  SSS Form CLD-1.3A (Affidavit for Death Benefit Claim).


Where are claims for the EC benefit filed?
Claims for EC benefits are filed at any SSS branch or representative office nearest the member's residence or place of work.
 



    

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

Who may qualify for a retirement benefit?

1. A member who is 60 years old, separated form employment or ceased to be self-employed, and has paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement.
2. A member who is 65 years old whether employed or not and has paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement.

For Underground Mineworkers:

1. Has reached the age of 55 years old and is an underground mineworker for at least 5 years (either continuous or accumulated) prior to the semester of retirement but whose actual date of retirement is not earlier than March 13, 1998; separated from employment or in the case of self-employed, has ceased self-employment, and has paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement.
2. Has reached the age of 60 years old whether employed or not.

What are the types of retirement benefits?
They are:

1. The monthly pension - The monthly pension is a lifetime cash benefit paid to a retiree who has paid at least 120 monthly contributions to the SSS prior to the semester of retirement.
2. The lump sum amount -  The lump sum amount is granted to a retiree who has not paid the required 120 monthly contributions. It is equal to the total contributions paid by the member and by the employer including interest.

How much monthly pension will a retiree receive?
The monthly pension depends on the members paid contributions, including the credited years of service (CYS) and the number of dependent minor children but not to exceed five. The amount of monthly pension will be the highest of:

1. The sum of P300 plus 20 percent of the average monthly salary credit plus 2 per cent of the average monthly salary credit for each accredited year of service (CYS) in excess of ten years; or
2. 40 per cent of the average monthly salary credit; or
3. P1,200, provided that the credited years of service (CYS) is at least 10 or more but less than 20 or P2,000, if the CYS is 20 or more. The monthly pension is paid for not less than 60 months.

A retiree has the option to receive the first 18 monthly pension in lump sum discounted at a preferential rate of interest to be determined by the SSS. The option should be exercised upon filing of the first retirement claim. Only advance payments shall be discounted on the date of the payment. The dependents’ pension and 13th month pensions are excluded from the 18 months lump sum pension.

The member will receive the monthly pension on the 19th month and every month thereafter.

What happens when the retirement pensioner resumes employment?
The monthly pension shall be suspended upon the re-employment or resumption of self-employed of a retired member who is less than 65 years old. The member shall again be subjected to compulsory coverage. At 65 year old whether employed or not, he can already claim for retirement benefit.

How much is the monthly pension of a member who retires after age 60 and who has contributed the required 120 monthly contributions?
The monthly pension shall be the higher of the following:

1. The monthly pension computed at the earliest time the member could have retired had been separated from self-employment or ceased to be self-employed plus all adjustments thereto; or
2. The monthly pension computed at the time when the member actually retires.

A pensioner who retires more than once shall be entitled to the higher of:

1. The monthly pension computed for the first retirement claim; or
2. The re-computed monthly pension for the new claim.

How is the monthly pension paid?
The monthly pension is paid thru the member’s designated bank. He is allowed to choose the bank nearest his residence thru which he wishes to receive his pension benefits under the “Mag-impok sa Bangko” program. This became mandatory effective September 1,1993.

A member must open a single savings account and must submit to the SSS his savings account number and a photocopy of his passbook upon filing of his application. The original copy of the passbook must be presented for authentication purposes.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the claimant informing when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.

Aside from the retirement benefit, what else can a retiree receive?
The retiree is entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December. All retiree pensioners prior to the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995 are automatically considered members of PhilHealth and he and his legal dependents are entitled to its hospitalization benefits. On the other hand, retirees effective March 4,1995 up to the present will be entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth only if they have contributed 120 monthly Medicare contributions. The counting of 120 monthly contributions shall start in 1972, when the Medical Care Act of 1969 started implementation.

A copy of DDR print-out indicating the type of claim is retirement in nature and the effectivity date of pensioner in its absence a copy of retiree-pensioner certification issued by SSS shall be required. They need to register under Philhealth for the issuance of a Philhealth ID card.

Are the children of a retiree member entitled to the dependent's pension?
The legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted and illegitimate children, conceive on or before the date of retirement of a retiree will each receive dependents’ pension equivalent to 10 per cent of the member’s monthly pension or P250, whichever is higher.

Only five minor children, beginning from the youngest, are entitled to the dependents’ pension. No substitution is allowed.

If there are more than five dependents, the legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted children shall be preferred.

For how long will the dependent child receive his pension?
The dependents’ pension stops when the child reaches 21 years old, gets married, gets employed or dies. However, the dependents’ pension is granted for life for children who are over 21 years old, provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental defect which is congenital or acquired during minority.

What will happen to the monthly pension of a retiree in case of death?
Upon the death of a retiree pensioner, the primary beneficiaries as of the date of retirement shall be entitled to 100 per cent of the monthly pension and the dependents to the dependents’ pension.

If the retiree pensioner dies within sixty (60) months from the start of the monthly pension and has no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to the total monthly pensions corresponding to the five-year guaranteed period excluding the dependents’ pension.

What documents are needed in filing for a retirement benefit?

1. Retirement claim application (SSS Form DDR-1);
2. DDR Savings 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 with recent photo.

Where can a member file his retirement application?
Applications forms for retirement benefit are filed at any SSS branch or representative office.