It is important that we fully understand the role of social insurances like Social Security System in our life. In this article, you will be guided on the importance and various benefits program available for your protection as a member and to your beneficiaries.
What is Social Security System?
The Social Security System (SSS) is a government-run organization in the Philippines that provides social protection to its members in the form of retirement, death, and disability benefits. It is mandatory for all employed individuals to register for SSS, as well as self-employed and voluntary members. In this article, we'll take a look at the process of registering for SSS in the Philippines.
Why do we Need to Have an SSS number?
Having an SSS number is necessary for various reasons, including:
Access to social security benefits - As a member of the SSS, you are entitled to various benefits, such as retirement, disability, and death benefits. To avail of these benefits, you need to have an SSS number.
Employment requirements - Most employers in the Philippines require their employees to have an SSS number. It is a way for them to ensure that their employees are registered and contributing to the SSS.
Business registration - If you're planning to start a business in the Philippines, you need to have an SSS number. It is a requirement for registering your business with the government.
What are the Benefits of Being an SSS member?
Sickness Benefit. It is a daily cash allowance being paid for the number of days a member is unable to work due to sickness and injury.
Maternity Benefit. It is a daily cash allowance granted to female members who is unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage.
Disability Benefit. It is a cash benefit granted either as a monthly pension or lumps sum amount to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or totally.
Retirement. It is a cash benefit granted either as a monthly or lump sum amount to a member who can no longer work due to old age.
Death. It is a cash benefit granted either as a monthly pension or lump sum amount to the beneficiaries of a deceased member.
Funeral. It is a cash benefit given to whoever paid for the funeral expense of the deceased member.
Salary Loan. It is a cash loan granted to members for short term financial needs.
Unemployment Benefit. It is a cash benefit granted to covered employees, including Kasambahay and OFWs (sea-based and land-based) who are involuntarily separated from employment (i.e. due to retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, installation of labor-saving device, redundancy etc.)
Employees’ Compensation. It is a Sickness or Death benefit for a member which cause is directly related to work.
How to Get an SSS Number?
Getting an SSS number is a simple and straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get an SSS number. First let us determine the documentary requirements.
List of Documentary Requirements:
Birth Certificate
In the absence, any of the following documents:
Baptismal Certificate, or its equivalent
Passport
Driver’s License
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card
Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book)
In the absence of the above, any two (2) of the following secondary documents are acceptable, indicating both with the correct name and at least one (1) with the correct date of birth:
Alien Certificate of Registration
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card with the cardholder’s name
Bank Account Passbook
Birth or Baptismal Certificate of child/ children, or its equivalent
Certificate of Licensure/Qualification Document from the Maritime Industry Authority
Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
Certificate of Muslim Filipino Tribal Affiliation issued by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
Company ID card
Court order granting petition for change of name or date of birth
Credit card
Firearm License card issued by the Philippine National Police;
Fishworker’s License issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) card/ Member's Record/ Certificate of Membership
Health or Medical card
Home Development Mutual Fund (PAGIBIG) Member’s Data Form/Transaction card
Homeowners Association ID card
ID card issued by Local Government Units (e.g. Barangay/Municipality/City)
ID card issued by professional associations recognized by the PRC
Life Insurance Policy
Marriage Contract/Certificate
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) card
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Member’s Data Record/ID card
Police Clearance
Postal ID card
School ID card
Seafarer’s Registration Certificate issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
Senior Citizen card
Student Permit issued by the Land Transportation Office
Taxpayer’s Identification Number card
Transcript of Records
Voter’s ID card/Affidavit/Certificate of Registration with the Commission on Elections
Please take note on the following additional requirements:
If Married, bring a copy of your marriage certificate
If with Children, bring copy of the birth certificate
For Non- Working Spouse, the working spouse must sign his/her name on the printed Personal Record Form. The signature means that the spouse agrees with the SSS membership.
For online registration, follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Prepare the necessary requirements needed.
Step 2: Visit the SSS Website: www.sss.gov.ph. Click the icon: NO SS NUMBER YET? APPLY ONLINE!
Step 3: Read the Step by Step guide, then click Start.
Step 4: Input basic Contact Information and Home Address.
Step 5: Check Captcha and certify the information given then submit.
Step 6: Check email inbox, open SSS Number Application Link and click the continue link.
Step 7: Input Basic Information including contact information and home address.
Step 8: Select Purpose of Registration (i.e: Self employed or Non- Working spouse)
Step 9: Input your Estimated Monthly Earnings then click Save and Next.
Step 10: Input Social Status and Birthplace then click Save and Next
Step 11: Input name of Father, Spouse, Children or Other Beneficiaries if applicable then click Save and Next
Step 12: Input Preferred User ID, Height and Weight then click Save and Next
Step 13: Verify information entered and click Generate SS Number. The generated SSS Number will be display and you have the option to print the ePersonal Record Form and the SS Number Slip.
Step 14: Attached photocopy of birth certificate or click cancel the submit.
Step 15: Check your email inbox for the confirmation that your registration has been successful.
Step 16: Print the ePersonal Record Form, SS Number Slip and the confirmation email body sent by the SS Number Issuance System.
Step 17: Go the nearest SSS branch and submit the printed records together with the required documents.
Submission of required supporting documents is necessary in order to convert the status from “Temporary” to “Permanent”. A member that is tagged as “Temporary” will not be able to avail loans and other benefits as well as UMID card application.
For on-site registration, follow below step by step guide:
I. For Employees
Accomplished SSS Form E-1 (Personal Record Form) based on the membership type that you are applying for.
Submit the accomplished form with a photocopy of any one (1) of the required documents as enumerated above.
II. For Employers
1. For Sole Proprietorship
Accomplished and submit Employer SSS R-1 Form (Employer Registration) and R-1A (Employment Report)
2. For Partnerships
Accomplished and submit Employer SSS R-1 Form (Employer Registration) and R-1A (Employment Report) together with the Articles of Partnership. Original copy will be requested for verification purposes. The forms should may signed by any of the partners.
3. For Corporation
Accomplished and submit Employer SSS R-1 Form (Employer Registration) and R-1A (Employment Report) together with the Articles of Incorporation. Original copy will be required to present for verification purposes. The forms should be signed by the President or any of the corporate officers
For the Employer Registration Form, please take note of the following instructions:
Use the official email address of the company
Start of operation should match to the employee’s initial date of employment on the Employment Report Form
Number of employees should match to the number of reported employees on the Employment Report Form
For the Employment Report Form:
Date of employment should matched to the start of operation on the Employees Registration Form.
Monthly compensation of employees should be based on the actual earnings of DOLE Minimum Wage
For partnerships, corporations, associations and other judicial entities of which registration falls under the jurisdiction of SEC, a Unified Registration Record (URR) is being issued subsequent to its registration.
III. For Self-Employed
Accomplished SSS Form RS-1 (Self-Employed Data Record) and then submit together with a photocopy of any of the following:
Baptismal Certificate, or its equivalent
Passport
Driver’s License
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card
Seaman’s Book (Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book)
In the absence of the above five list, any two of the earlier mentioned secondary documents will do. For Self-employed with employees, he/she should secure an Employer ID.
IV. For Voluntary Members
Non-Working Spouse
Accomplish and submit SSS Form NW-1 (Non-Working Spouse Record) signed by the working spouse together with the copy of marriage certificate.
2. Separated Members
Separated members may continue paying his contribution by accomplishing the SS Form RS-5 (Contributions Payment Return) and once paid and posted, his/her status will be updated to the Voluntary Paying category.
Previously, land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were classified as voluntary member while sea-based OFWs are under employed-member with their principal or manning agents as their employers but under RA No. 11199 also known as Social Security Act of 2018, all OFWs are now mandatory covered by the SSS.
Who are Qualified for an SSS Number in the Philippines?
If you are a Filipino citizen aged 60 years old and below and have not been issued a social security number, you are required to get an SSS number. The Social Security System (SSS) is a social insurance program that provides financial benefits to its members and their beneficiaries in times of contingencies such as sickness, disability, maternity, retirement, and death.
Here are the different categories of individuals who are eligible to obtain an SSS number:
Employees. If you are a private sector employee, household service worker, seafarer, or an employee of foreign governments or international organizations under administrative agreement with the SSS, you are required to register and obtain an SSS number. Regular, contractual, and probationary employees are all covered under this category.
Self-Employed Persons. If you are a self-employed individual who earns at least PHP 1,000 per month from your own business or profession, you are required to register and obtain an SSS number. This category includes professionals, entrepreneurs (partners and single proprietors of businesses), farmers, fishermen, informal workers (sidewalk vendors, jeepney or tricycle drivers, etc.), contractual and job order employees working for government agencies who are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), actors, directors, scriptwriters, journalists/news correspondents, professional athletes, coaches, and trainers licensed by the Games and Amusement Board, as well as jockeys and trainers licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The Social Security Act of 2018 made SSS coverage mandatory for all OFWs, which means all Filipinos working abroad are now protected under the SSS. If you are an OFW, you are required to register and obtain an SSS number. This category includes workers recruited in the Philippines by foreign employers for deployment abroad, Filipinos who earn income from outside the country, and Filipinos who are permanent residents in other countries.
Non-Working Spouse. If you are the legal spouse of an SSS member, you are qualified to obtain an SSS number as long as you pay your SSS contributions, manage your household in a full-time capacity, and not yet an SSS member.
If you fall under any of the categories mentioned above and have not yet obtained an SSS number, you should register as soon as possible to ensure that you and your beneficiaries are covered in times of need.
After obtaining an SSS Number, another important step to do is to register your account online.
Why do we Need to Register for SSS online?
In today's world, the ability to access government services online has become a necessity. One of the essential services that the Social Security System (SSS) offers is the online registration of its members. SSS online registration provides members with a wide range of benefits, including:
Easy access to your SSS account anytime and anywhere.
The ability to check your contribution records and ensure that they are up-to-date.
The ability to apply for loans and benefits online, including maternity, sickness, and retirement benefits.
Quick and convenient processing of SSS transactions.
Increased security and protection of your personal information.
How to Register for SSS Online Account?
To register for an SSS online account, follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Visit the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) and click the "Register" button.
Step 2: Fill out the online form with your personal information, including your full name, date of birth, and contact information.
Step 3: Create a username and password. Make sure to choose a strong password and is easy to remember.
Step 4: Once you have completed the registration form, click the "Submit" button.
Step 5: You will receive an email confirmation from the SSS that your registration has been successful.
Step 6: Log in to your SSS online account using your username and password.
SSS online registration is an essential service that provides members with a convenient and efficient way to manage their SSS membership. Take advantage of the many benefits it offers and register your account and control of your SSS membership.
To know more on how to register with other government agencies in the Philippines, visit our other blogs at www.aanyahr.com. AanyaHR also offers automation of government report on SSS, Philhealth and PAGIBIG.
Source: SSS, SSS Booklet