Keeping members informed - 30 day sick leave filing extension for OFWs

The SSS Commission has issued this circular to benefit OFWs.
Please take note of the effectivity, 18 August 2015.

Reminders for SSS Members

This is just to remind SSS members what to do NOW, not later

If this sounds "what, not again ......", it is because I think it necessary.

It is only because people tend to let things slide and then have to scurry to accomplish things when the need comes upon them.  Dont wait for that time. Do it now, and at your leisure, and do it at one time.

1. Make sure you have only one SSS number and make sure you have it memorized.

If you have more than one, go to SSS NOW and start the process of combining contributions in each of the SSS number to just one.  SSS usually picks the "oldest" SSS number.  You should memorize your SS number because this is the main number for transacting with SSS.  

2. Ensure that your heirs, whoever they may be, can have access to it should the need arise.

I suggest that you have an envelope, preferably a thick plastic one (so it will last for a bit), and put your legal papers in it.  For example, policy information if you have insurance policies, life plans, and memorial plans.  If you have a will, you can put this is in the same place.  If you are ultra rich, make sure you have a backup copy of your will and all your wills should be dated.  I digressed a bit, but i hope it was helpful.

3. Make sure that your FULL name is correct and is supportable by either a live (active) passport or an NSO-issued birth certificate.

This measure is supposed to prevent/minimize fraud so SSS is quite strict about the matter.

4. Make sure that your DOC - Date of Cover - is CORRECT.

The DOC is the date wherein you first registered in the SSS database, via the initial contribution.

Problems with this will delay processing of your benefits.

5. Take note of all your employers.  Check that all employers are accounted and properly "logged".

This also means that there are no "stray" employers and that all your employers are registered in the database.  This will assist in making your life simpler.  Also, be sure to remember who these are - because, upon retirement you will be asked to write/list them down.  Also check that all contributions of each employer are posted.  Do this now, not tomorrow.

Answers to some questions to a post

for some people who do not pay attention to instructions:

someone asked if they can continue the payments of a deceased member so his wife can have a pension.

No. If the member is deceased, no payments are allowed after death.  The member is already dead.

There should be funeral benefits - 20 thousand, and since the member had payments, there would be death benefits.  The person asking the question did not say how many payments had been made so I cannot say if the widow is entitled to a pension just the same.

Someone asked about gaps in contribution payments

Let me stress again that SSS does not accept retroactive payments. Once a payment is delayed, it creates a gap. It is called a gap because there is a space instead of a payment.  Ergo, a gap is at least one month and can be as long as several months (or years for that matter).  There are no SE or VM late payments except those for OFWs.  OFWs can pay the entire year before the year is up.

On quesions on penalty and interest on loans -

There is already a post on this.  However.  Note that all delayed payments are charged penalties, which is 1% per month - so if a payment is skipped, that payment will have penalties charged until it is paid.

Someone mentioned migrating payments to VM and selecting lower payments

There is no such banana in SSS. Payments are NOT migrated.  Payments are simply recorded as dictated by the status.  So payments made as an employee stay are reflected as employee-employer payments and voluntary payments are recorded as is.  As previously mentioned, do NOT decrease payments as it will affect pension computations to a lower amount.

Reminder only: Always use your SS Number when transacting with SS

Actually, this is a repeat of a reminder post here.

When transacting with any agency or entity, it is always wise to use your ID number.

Thus, with SSS - you need to always use your SS number.

On the other hand, do not publicly reveal your SS number.

So hope this reminder helps you transact with SSS

An important thing to also remember is that the SSS frontline will NOT entertain you without an SSS number, unless you dont know your SS number and in fact, wish to know.
If that is your problem, make sure you bring at least 2 government-issued identification cards (of course, with picture), and your birth certificate.

Requesting things from the SSS

Like any other government office, transacting with SSS requires knowledge of procedures, forms, and locations.  It is rare that SSS makes announcements to the public regarding changes in their forms so in this blog, i try to update my readers on forms that have changed, in the belief that knowing which or what forms to use may assist them in transacting with the institution.

Here is the new form:

More on the SSS-PESO Fund --- here's the brochure

 Read about the SSS Provident Fund.
SSS calls it SPF, not to be confused with SPA.

.. as for me, i'm going for the Pag-ibig fund. why, there are less restrictions
to be frank with you, readers - the return is supposed to be greater under the SPF than Pag-ibig 2

SSS UMID cards - An SSS Advisory

Just to make sure you are kept abreast of SSS media advisory of the release of SSS UMID cards

An SSS-related post: For pensioners

Pensioners who are missing 1984-1989 must request for Manual Verification at any SSS branch.
You cannot request through any other office except the branch

Also,the member must personally file the Request for Manual Verification at the branch.  This cannot be coursed through any other office.  Follow-ups can only be made through the filing branch, not any other office.  Complaints must be coursed through Member Relations unless the complaint is about that department.

Changes to your member records must also be done at the branch, and must be done by the member himself/herself.  Remember to get a copy of the document being received.

I hope this helps pensioners and members.

New SSS website

Because the new SSS is up, please be informed that i shall be fixing the forms links in each of my SSS posts.  This will take sometime -

Actually, i am disappointed that the links were not maintained, as this is possible.  *sigh*

oops, i forgot to put the link for the new sss website although it is still accessible by using the same
here is the link to the sss website

P. E. S. O. FUND - update

I got a few additional requirements for the PESO fund

first, you must open a bank account, and the peso fund starts DEC 1
i hope to have further updates for you - like the actual procedure before then....

also, a financial sample so you can see some of the products available in the market today

Are you with Personnel or Human Resources Unit?

... or any other unit that handles transactions with the Social Security System or other government office?
For example, are you the company representative to SSS?

If you are responsible for SSS transactions, may i advise you to undergo a seminar with SSS so that you are aware of the conditions and requirements regarding eligibility and payment of claims, including application of such claims?

This is to prevent possible denial of your co-employee claims with the Social Security System.  Do not jeopardize your co-employee rights and privileges.

Hope this helps you and the employees of your company.

On Filing for anything in a government institution

Just a precaution.

It seems government offices have a precluvity to lose documents.
I can give you a million examples but the main thing to remember

Murphy's Law reigns supreme.

You dont want Murphy's Law to apply to you so ...
when you transact with a government office,

make copies of your documentation (that you will submit to the government office) and have that stamped received by .... with date and all.  that is your documentation backup.

If you dont know Murphy's law ....

click here for Murphy's Laws

Sickness Maternity Benefit Update for Employers and the Employed

In January of this year, SSS has strictly implemented Circular No. 2012-008 regarding the payment of Sickness and Maternity benefits.  This circular mandates all employers to enroll in any SSS-accredited bank.

 If the employer is NOT enrolled in the program, any sickness and/or maternity benefits filed by their employees will be summarily rejected.  Employees have to refile their claims after their employers have enrolled in the program











SSS - ACCREDITED BANKS LISTED BELOW:

Sickness and Maternity Benefits Payment thru the Bank Program

List of accredited Banks: Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines Allied Banking Corporation Asia United Bank Corporation Banco De Oro Bank of Commerce Bank of the Philippine Islands Century Savings Bank China Banking Corporation CTBC Bank Corporation (Formerly Chinatrust Banking Corporation) Citystate Savings Bank, Inc Country Rural Bank of Taguig Inc. Eastwest Bank Land Bank of the Philippines Maybank Philippines Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Philippine Bank of Communications Philippine Business Bank Philippine National Bank Philippine Postal Savings Bank Philippine Savings Bank Philippine Veterans Bank RCBC Savings Bank, Inc. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Rural Bank of Pililia (Rizal) Inc. Security Bank and Trust Company Standard Chartered Bank Union Bank of the Philippines United Coconut Planters Bank