The Social Security System (SSS) is a state-run social insurance program aimed at providing financial protection to Filipino workers in the professional, informal, and private sector in and out of the country. Established under Republic Act No. 1161, also known as the Social Security Act of 1954, the SSS has since evolved to offer a wide range of benefits and services. As an agency, it was designed to promote social justice and ensure protection for its members against various life contingencies.
Over the years, the SSS has continually expanded its coverage and improved its benefit packages to better serve its members. From humble beginnings, the SSS has since grown into a significant one, with assets amounting to billions of pesos and serving over 30 million members nationwide. In this article, we took a closer look at the different aspects of the SSS, including its logo, history, mission, vision, policies, coverage, membership types, benefits, and services offered to the Filipinos.
What is SSS
SSS stands for Social Security System, a state-run institution designed to provide social insurance coverage to workers in the private, professional, and informal sectors in the Philippines and beyond. Its main goal is to offer financial support to these workers, usually in the form of various benefits, like sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and death claims. The SSS also ensures that all its members and their beneficiaries are protected against the financial burdens brought about by the different contingencies in life.
For over six decades, the SSS has operated under the guiding principle of promoting social justice through savings and providing social security protection to its members. Though it is member-exclusive, the institution continually strives to extend its services to all Filipino workers, both locally and abroad, emphasizing the importance of working, saving, investing, and prospering. This strategic approach is in place so that all members can have faith and rely on the SSS for universal and equitable financial support throughout their lives, especially in cases of unexpected emergencies.
History
Originally established under the administration of former President Manuel Roxas to offer relief to the war-torn Filipinos in the post-war period, the SSS was officially relaunched into a formal government office upon the enactment of the Republic Act No. 8282, also known as the Social Security Act of 1997 under the administration of former President Carlos P. Garcia. This law significantly amended the original SSS law in order to provide better benefits, expand coverage, and increase investment flexibility.
More changes followed as the administration of the SSS Medicare program was transferred to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in 1995.
In 2017, the Filipino pensioners saw their benefits increased by ₱1,000 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. By 2018, the new Social Security Act of 2018 was enacted, mandating the membership and inclusion of all Filipinos who are working both domestically and internationally.
Sss LoGo
Like any institution, the SSS has a logo of its own. The SSS logo features a stylized blue and white SSS design symbolizing both security and stability and having them associated with the abbreviated name of the agency.
The interlocking lines which look like three S (SSS) represent the interconnectedness and support system promised by the SSS to all its members. The simplicity and clarity of the logo reflect the organization’s commitment to providing straightforward and reliable services to the Filipino people in and out of the country.
Sss Mission
As an agency, the SSS’ primary mission is to manage a sound and viable social security system that promotes social justice and provides protection to members and their families. This protection covers hazards such as disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies that result in loss of income or financial burden. The SSS is also dedicated to make all its services accessible, efficient, and beneficial to all its members and their designated beneficiaries and dependents.
Sss Vision
As part of its guiding principles, the SSS organization adheres to its vision to be a viable social security institution that provides universal and equitable social protection through world-class service. It aims to be recognized for excellent social security service delivery as well as its commitment to the welfare of its members. By adhering to this vision, the SSS continues to evolve, develop, improve and innovate its services to meet the ever-changing needs of the Filipino workers.
Policy Statement
The SSS policy emphasizes the establishment, development, promotion, and perfection of a sound and viable tax-exempt social security system. This system is tailored to the needs of the Filipino people, ensuring protection against financial burdens. The policy also focuses on maximizing the profitability of investible funds and resources, grounded in sound and efficient management practices implemented within the SSS organization.
Quality Policy
The SSS is also committed to providing prompt, convenient and reliable social security protection services to its members and their beneficiaries. It is because of this commitment that the SSS continually improve systems and processes to enhance performance and guarantee customer satisfaction. The quality policy also serves as the gold standard on whether the SSS meets all customer, internal, statutory, and regulatory requirements in the context of the organization.
Purpose, Functions, and Responsibilities
The SSS is the prime governing body responsible for the country’s workers’ social insurance plan. Since it was launched, it has been offering numerous benefits and loan options to paid-up employees. SSS members can apply for salary, disaster, aducational, housing, and healthcare loans to support the needs of the Filipino income earners and their families.
- Social Security Coverage: Extends comprehensive social security coverage to the member-employees and their families.
- Insurance Benefits: Provides benefits based on member contributions, covering various life contingencies.
- Tax-Exempt System: Operates as a tax-exempt entity to maximize the financial benefits for members.
- Policy Implementation: Ensures the establishment, development, and promotion of social security policies under Republic Act No. 8282.
- Member Support: Offers cash assistance through various loan programs to help members during emergencies and unforeseen events.
Sss Coverage
The SSS offers comprehensive coverage to its members, ensuring they receive adequate social security benefits on time. This coverage includes protection against sickness, maternity, disability, old age, death, and even unemployment. The SSS strives to make its services accessible and beneficial to all its members, providing financial support when needed most.
Membership Types
The SSS has two main types of membership: Compulsory and Voluntary.
Compulsory Coverage
Compulsory coverage under the SSS refers to the mandatory membership of certain groups of individuals that are automatically included in the social insurance program. This mandatory inclusion is designed to provide comprehensive social security protection to a broad spectrum of workers. Below is a list of the groups covered under compulsory SSS membership:
- Employer (Business or Household Employer): All employers in the Philippines, whether business or household, must register and contribute to SSS for their employees.
- Employee: All employees working in the private sector are required to be covered by SSS.
- Self-Employed: Individuals who earn income from their own business or profession are also mandated to contribute to SSS.
- Househelper or Kasambahay: Domestic workers employed in households must be enrolled by their employers.
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW): OFWs, both land-based and sea-based, are required to be covered, except for those who are permanent migrants, including Filipino immigrants, permanent residents, and naturalized citizens of their host countries, who may be covered on a voluntary basis.
Voluntary Coverage
Voluntary coverage, on the other hand, refers to the inclusion of individuals who are not mandatorily covered by the regular SSS program. This allows more Filipinos to benefit from social security protection, even if they are not employed in the traditional workforce. It ensures that all members, regardless of their employment status, can still enjoy the benefits provided by the SSS.
Voluntary Coverage Includes:
- Non-Working Spouse (NWS): Spouses of SSS members who do not earn an income can still contribute and receive benefits.
- Separated Members: Individuals who were previously employed and have stopped working can continue their membership voluntarily.
Benefits, Services, and Loans
The SSS provides a range of benefits, services, and loan options to its members.
Benefits
- Sickness Benefit: Daily cash allowance for qualified members unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Maternity Benefit: Daily cash allowance for female members unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.
- Retirement Benefit: Monthly pension or lump-sum amount for members who reach retirement age.
- Disability Benefit: Cash assistance for members who are permanently or partially disabled.
- Death Benefit: Financial assistance to the beneficiaries of deceased members.
- Funeral Benefit: Cash grant to help cover funeral expenses of a deceased member.
- Unemployment Benefit: Temporary financial assistance to members who involuntarily lose their jobs.
Loans
- Salary Loan: Short-term credit for employed, self-employed, or voluntary members.
- Calamity Loan: Financial assistance during declared states of calamity.
- Pension Loan: Economic assistance provided to qualified SSS retiree pensioners by way of low-interest loan.
- Housing Loan: Affordable financing options to members for purchasing or constructing a home, enhancing housing security for Filipino workers.
Additional Services
The SSS also offers additional services to enhance its members’ financial stability.
These additional services include:
- Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program: Double compensation for work-related illness, accident, or death. Some of the benefits offered the ECP include:
- EC Temporary Total Disability or Sickness
- EC Disability
- EC Medical Reimbursement
- EC Death
- EC Funeral
- Personal Equity Savings Option (PESO) Fund: Voluntary additional savings program to augment retirement benefits from the regular membership through a provident fund with tax-free returns.
- Flexi Fund: Voluntary savings program for OFWs, invested in fixed income securities. Later became the National Provident Fund for OFWs.
- MySSS Pension Booster: Rebranded Workers’ Investment and Savings Program (WISP) Plus, otherwise known as the New Voluntary Provident Fund, for a safer, more competitive and convenient and tax-free savings scheme with better interest rates than regular savings or time-deposits. Also offers additional benefits during retirement.
Video: SSS Benefits
For a more comprehensive understanding of the SSS membership benefits, watch this informative video from MYSSSPH. The video provides a detailed overview of how the SSS supports its members. It’s a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the SSS and its offerings.
Summary
The Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines is a vital institution providing financial protection and support to Filipino workers. With its comprehensive benefits, services, and commitment to excellence, the SSS ensures that members and their beneficiaries are well-protected against life’s uncertainties.
Contact Information
To learn more about the SSS and everything it offers, visit the SSS website or contact their customer service.
SSS Philippines
Main HQ Address: SSS Building East Avenue, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines
SSS Hotline: 1455
Contact Number: (632) 8920-6446 to 55
SSS website: https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/
uSSSapTayo Portal: http://crms.sss.gov.ph
SSS Email: usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph
Official social media pages:
Facebook: SSSPh
Twitter: PHLSSS
Instagram: MYSSSPH
Youtube: MYSSSPH
Tiktok: mysssph