NOT AN SSS MEMBER YET? THINK TWICE AND BE SECURED

Social Security System (SSS) is a state-run social insurance program for non-governmental employees founded in 1957 in the Philippines. Those employees covered with SSS are entitled to a package of benefits under Social Security Program and Employees Compensation (EC) that include programs in the event of death, disability, sickness, maternity and old age. Same benefits go with the self-employed and voluntary members as covered employees of SSS, not including benefits under the EC program.

SSS provides for a replacement of income lost in lieu due to the aforementioned contingencies. The benefits under the Social Security program include:

• Sickness Benefit - one which can be availed by an SSS member who suffers sickness, thus called sickness benefit. Such benefit is a cash allowance paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury.

• Maternity Benefit – another benefit is one that can be availed by SSS female members, the maternity benefit which refers to a cash allowance granted to a female member who is incapable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.

• Disability Benefit - the disability benefit involves those persons, as defined by World Health Organization (WHO), who have restrictions of capability to accomplish an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. A qualified member for this benefit is one who agonizes partial or total disability with at least one monthly contribution paid to the SSS prior to the semester of contingency.

• Retirement Benefit - for those who cannot anymore work due to old age, there is retirement benefit in which a cash benefit either in monthly pension or lump sum is paid to a member.

• Death benefit – for the deceased members, their beneficiaries can receive a cash benefit either through a monthly pension or lump sum pay.

• Funeral benefit - is a cash benefit given to whoever pays burial expenses of the deceased member or pensioner.

Not a member of SSS yet? You can now register as an SSS member through the online facility or visit the SSS website: www.sss.gov.ph for more details.

March 03, 2016