What is SSS?
The Social Security System (SSS) is the Philippine government’s mandatory social insurance program for private sector workers. It was created under Republic Act No. 1161 and significantly expanded by the Social Security Act of 2018 (RA 11199). Every Filipino worker in the private sector is required by law to be covered — including regular employees, self-employed workers, OFWs, kasambahay, and non-working spouses of members.
SSS is not a tax. The money you contribute every month goes into a pooled fund that pays you back in the form of real cash benefits — a monthly pension when you retire, financial support when you get sick, maternity benefits when you give birth, disability benefits if you become unable to work, death and funeral benefits for your family, and access to salary loans when you need short-term cash. The more consistently you contribute, and the higher your Monthly Salary Credit, the larger your future benefits.
SSS Benefits at a Glance
| Benefit | What It Covers | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement | Monthly pension for life starting at age 60 or 65 | 120 contributions |
| Sickness | Daily cash allowance while unable to work due to illness | 3 contributions in last 12 months |
| Maternity | Cash benefit for childbirth, miscarriage, or ETP | 3 contributions in last 12 months |
| Disability | Monthly pension or lump sum for permanent disability | 1 contribution (partial) / 36 (full pension) |
| Death | Monthly pension or lump sum for surviving beneficiaries | 1 contribution (lump sum) / 36 (pension) |
| Funeral | ₱20,000 cash grant for funeral expenses | 1 contribution |
| Unemployment | Cash benefit for involuntary separation from employment | 36 contributions, 12 in last 18 months |
| Salary Loan | 1 or 2-month loan based on average MSC | 36 contributions (1-month) / 72 (2-month) |
Source: sss.gov.ph/benefits/
How SSS Contributions Work
Your contribution is based on your Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) — not your exact salary. SSS assigns your salary to a bracket ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱35,000 in ₱500 steps. If you earn ₱18,300, your MSC is ₱18,500. Your contribution is always 5% of your MSC — your employer pays 10%. The total is 15% of your MSC going into the SSS fund every month.
For MSC above ₱20,000, the portion above that level goes into the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) — now called MySSS Pension Booster. This is your personal retirement savings account on top of your regular SSS pension. It earns dividends and is paid out separately when you retire. The total rate is still 15% — it’s just split internally between two accounts.
2025 SSS Pension Reform — What It Means for You
In 2025, President Marcos directed SSS to implement a Pension Reform Program that increases retirement and disability pensions by 10% every September from 2025 to 2027. Survivor pensioners receive a 5% increase. All 3.8 million existing pensioners receive these increases automatically — no application required. For new retirees, the improved pension amount applies from the date of their first pension release.
Combined with the salary loan interest rate reduction from 10% to 8% effective May 2025, this is the most significant improvement to SSS benefits in years. If you are approaching retirement, the 2025 reform means your pension is already higher than what the calculator based on pre-2025 rates would show.
SSS Member Types and Minimum MSC
| Member Type | Who Pays | Min MSC |
|---|---|---|
| Employee | 5% employee + 10% employer | ₱5,000 |
| Self-Employed | 15% full (member pays all) | ₱5,000 |
| OFW (land-based) | 15% full (member pays all) | ₱8,000 |
| OFW (sea-based) | 4.5% member + 8.5% employer | ₱8,000 |
| Voluntary | 15% full (member pays all) | ₱5,000 |
| Kasambahay ≤ ₱5,000 | Employer pays full 15% | ₱1,000 |
How to Access Your SSS Account
Everything SSS-related is now managed online through your My.SSS account at my.sss.gov.ph. Register using your SS Number and personal information. Once registered you can check your contribution history, verify your posted months, apply for salary loans, file sickness and maternity benefit applications, update your beneficiaries, and track your claims — all without visiting an SSS branch.
The SSS Mobile App gives you the same access on your phone. You can also use the app to generate your Payment Reference Number (PRN) for contribution payments, check your loan balance, and receive notifications. If you have not activated your My.SSS account yet, do it now — it’s the most important step to protecting your SSS membership.
Key SSS Numbers and Contacts
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| SSS Hotline | 1455 (local calls) |
| My.SSS portal | my.sss.gov.ph |
| SSS website | sss.gov.ph |
| usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph | |
| SSS Mobile App | Available on Google Play and App Store |
| Branch finder | sss.gov.ph/branches/ |
SSS Calculators and Tables:
📋 Information verified — Official sources: sss.gov.ph/benefits/ · sss.gov.ph/sss-contribution-table/ · RA 11199 · SSS Pension Reform 2025
⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. KnowMyGovt is not affiliated with SSS or the Philippine government. For official information visit sss.gov.ph.
