Ever wondered what keeps Filipino workers financially protected during life’s ups and downs? That’s the role of the Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines. It’s a safety net for employees, self-employed individuals, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) alike.
We’ve created this comprehensive guide at Remitly to help you understand the social security system in the Philippines in simple terms. We’ll cover what the SSS is, who needs to contribute, and the types of membership. You’ll also learn how to register and discover the benefits for you and your family.
What is the SSS in the Philippines?
The SSS is the Philippines’ government-run social insurance program. It helps protect members and their families against the risks of sickness, old age, and death.
The SSS was established under the Social Security Act of 1954 (Republic Act No. 1161) and has evolved to meet the needs of Filipinos. Its latest update came with the Social Security Act of 2018. This shows how important the program is.
Who is required to contribute to the SSS?
SSS membership is mandatory for most working Filipinos. Different categories of workers make contributions to the program:
Employed members
If you work for a private company in the Philippines, you’re required to contribute to the SSS. However, the contributions are a shared responsibility. Your employer will deduct your share from your salary, add their own, and send the total to the SSS. This ensures private business employees are secured. Government employees have their own system, however.
Self-employed members
If you’re a professional, small business owner, or make money online, you also get SSS coverage, but you’ll pay the full contribution yourself. Because you don’t have an employer to share the cost, your payment is based on the monthly income you declare. This helps stop SSS contributions from becoming disproportionate to your income.
Voluntary members
You don’t always have to pay into the SSS, but you can choose to. Voluntary membership is open to former employees and non-working spouses of active SSS members, while overseas Filipino workers may also register and contribute under a dedicated OFW category.
Household employers and employees (kasambahay)
Domestic workers, often referred to as kasambahay, can also pay a portion of their contributions. If you’re in that position, your employer needs to register you and share the cost of your contributions.
The total contribution is 15% of your monthly salary—your employer pays 10% and you pay 5%. If you earn the minimum Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) of ₱5,000 PHP, contributions are based on that amount.
What SSS benefits are there for members?
Here’s a quick breakdown of the SSS benefits for members and their families:
| Benefit | Purpose |
| Sickness | Daily benefit payment during illness or injury. |
| Maternity | Financial assistance for female members during childbirth or miscarriage. |
| Disability | Cash benefit for members with permanent disability. |
| Retirement | Pension or lump-sum for members reaching retirement age. |
| Death | Financial assistance for the beneficiaries of a deceased member. |
| Funeral grant | Fixed amount to help cover funeral costs. |
| Unemployment insurance | Financial support for employees who lost jobs involuntarily. |
Let’s have a look at these in more detail.
Sickness
If you can’t work due to sickness or injury and you’re confined to your home or you’re in hospital for four days or more, the SSS pays you daily to replace your lost income.
To qualify, you should have paid at least three monthly contributions in the 12 months before your illness or injury.
- For employees: SSS sickness benefits kick in when your sick leave runs out. Notify your employer within five days of starting home confinement. If you’re hospitalised, you have up to a year to notify the SSS.
- For self-employed, voluntary, OFWs, or unemployed members: Report your sickness or injury directly to the SSS within five days after the start of confinement. For hospital confinement, you have up to a year from the date you’re discharged to notify the SSS.
Maternity
Female SSS members who give birth, have a miscarriage, or undergo an emergency pregnancy termination can get benefit payments to help replace income lost during their recovery.
You need to have made at least three monthly contributions in the 12 months before your childbirth or miscarriage to qualify.
- For employees: Notify your employer of the pregnancy when it’s confirmed, and your expected delivery date. Your employer will submit the notice with SSS.
- For self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouses, or OFWs: File the notice directly with the SSS.
Disability
The SSS helps members dealing with permanent disabilities, too. You’re eligible if you’ve paid at least one monthly contribution before the disability happened.
- Permanent partial disability: This benefit applies if you permanently lose or can’t use certain body parts, such as a finger, hand, leg, ear, sight in one eye, or specific reproductive organs (for women under 45).
- Permanent total disability: This covers more serious conditions, such as total blindness, loss of two limbs, permanent paralysis, severe brain injury leading to incurable insanity, or other cases determined by the SSS.
The definitions are very specific so check them out on the page we’ve linked to just above. This benefit is given based on your condition, but also on how much you’ve contributed.
Retirement
To be eligible for the SSS retirement benefit, you need to have made at least 120 monthly contributions before retirement. You can claim in two ways:
- Optional retirement
At 60, if you’re no longer employed or self-employed. Some jobs have special rules; for example, mine workers may retire as early as 50 or 55, and racehorse jockeys at 55. - Mandatory retirement
At 65, whether or not you’re still working.
If you previously received a disability pension, or had your pension suspended because you went back to work, you can reapply once you meet the retirement requirements.
Death
When an SSS member passes away, their family may receive either ongoing monthly payments or a one-time cash benefit depending on the deceased member’s contributions.
- If they paid at least 36 monthly contributions before they died, the primary beneficiaries get a monthly pension.
- If they made less than 36 monthly contributions, the family receives a lump-sum benefit instead.
The benefit first goes to the dependent spouse (until they remarry) and unmarried, unemployed children under 21. Permanently disabled children remain eligible even beyond 21.
If there are no primary beneficiaries, the benefit goes to dependent parents. If they’re not available, the money goes to the beneficiary listed in SSS records. If none is listed, it’s paid to the member’s legal heirs under Philippine law.
Funeral grant
When an SSS member, disability or retirement pensioner passes away, the SSS provides financial support to help with burial expenses.
- If the member had paid at least 36 months of contributions, the benefit ranges from ₱20,000 to ₱60,000.
- If the member has paid one but less than 36 months of contributions, the benefit is a fixed ₱12,000.
This benefit goes to the person who paid for the funeral.
Unemployment insurance
If you lose your job—known as “separation” by the SSS—through no fault of your own, you’ll get temporary financial aid to help as you search for a new job. To qualify, you’ll need to:
- Be under 60 years old at the time of separation, with some exceptions for certain jobs like mining where the lower limit is younger.
- Have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, with 12 in the last 18 months before you lose your job.
- You haven’t claimed unemployment benefits within the past three years
- You’re involuntarily jobless due to reasons such as your role becoming redundant, company closure, you being laid off, illness, economic downturns, or natural disasters.
Employees separated due to just causes, such as misconduct, fraud, or neglect of duties aren’t eligible.
How to register for the SSS
So we’ve run through the benefits of membership. How about the process of registering to become a member? Well, you can apply online or in person at an SSS office. Let’s take a look at online application first.
Online SSS registration
Fill out the online form
Visit the official SSS website to apply for an SS number. Fill out the form with your personal details like your name, date of birth, address, contact information, and why you’re registering.
Prepare and upload your documents
Gather these documents to verify your identity:
- Birth certificate
- Valid government-issued identification, such as passport, driver’s licence, or Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
- Professional Regulation Commission ID
If you don’t have these, SSS might accept postal ID, company ID, or TIN ID, but that’s at their discretion. So be sure to upload clear digital copies of your IDs and other supporting documents; they might ask for additional documents if there’s a need to correct mistakes or verify your identity.
Check your e-mail for verification
SSS will send an e-mail confirmation with either a Temporary Reference Number (TRN) or any additional documents they need from you. Follow the steps, such as verifying your e-mail address.
Receive your permanent SS number
After verification, you’ll receive your permanent SS number, which you’ll use for life.
Create a My.SSS account
With your SSS number, register a My.SSS account on the website. This lets you check contributions, file claims, and generate payment references online.
Over-the-counter application at an SSS branch
Visit the SSS branch
Go to the nearest SSS branch to apply. Request form E-1 and fill it out with your details.
Submit your IDs and documents
Bring your passport or other IDs and supporting documents (originals and photocopies). Present them to the SSS personnel.
Biometric capture or photo
At some branches, SSS may take your photo, fingerprints, or signature for future issuance of your UMID card.
Receive your SSS number
After verification, you’ll be given your permanent SSS number. Just like the online application, that’s your number for life.
Secure your future with the SSS
The SSS is more than just a government program, it’s a lifeline that helps protect you and your family during life’s toughest moments. From sickness and maternity benefits to retirement pension and unemployment support, your SSS membership gives you financial protection when you need it most.
Joining is pretty simple, and it’s an essential step toward long-term security if you’re thinking about being in the Philippines long-term.
FAQs
How much is the SSS contribution in 2025?
The contribution rate is 15% of your monthly salary credit. If you’re an employee, your employer generally pays 10% while you pay 5%. Self-employed, voluntary members, and OFWs pay the full 15%.
Can an OFW be an SSS member?
Yes. OFWs can register and pay contributions online or through SSS offices abroad to qualify for the same benefits as local members. Membership helps OFWs secure retirement, sickness, and death benefits even while working overseas.
What is the retirement age for SSS in the Philippines?
Optional retirement is at 60 years old. Mandatory retirement is at 65, even if you’re still working. At least 120 monthly contributions qualifies you for a pension. If you don’t meet the minimum contributions, you might still be eligible to receive a one-time, lump-sum payment.
How do I pay my SSS contributions if I am self-employed or voluntary?
You can pay through banks, accredited payment centres, the SSS mobile app, and other approved online payment platforms. Always keep your official receipt as proof and for tracking your posted contributions.
What benefits can my family receive if I pass away?
Your beneficiaries may receive a death pension or a lump-sum benefit, plus a funeral grant. The amount depends on your total contributions and the number of qualified contributions. Check out our guide above for more details.