Last updated: January 2026 · Sources: sss.gov.ph · RA 11199
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). Coverage is compulsory for private sector employees, self-employed workers, kasambahay, and OFWs. Non-working spouses of members may join under voluntary coverage.
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 the 12 months before the semester of sickness |
| Maternity | Cash benefit for childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy | 3 contributions in the 12 months before the semester of contingency |
| Disability | Monthly pension or lump sum for total or partial permanent disability | Lump sum if under 36 contributions; monthly pension if 36 or more |
| Death | Monthly pension or lump sum for surviving beneficiaries | Lump sum if under 36 contributions; monthly pension if 36 or more |
| Funeral | Cash grant for funeral expenses — ₱12,000, or ₱20,000 to ₱60,000 with 36+ contributions | 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.
SSS Pension Reform — What It Means for You
SSS has begun implementing a Pension Reform Program that increases retirement and disability pensions by 10% each year, and survivorship pensions by 5% each year, from 2025 to 2027. Existing pensioners receive these increases automatically — no application is required. For new retirees, the improved pension amount applies from their first pension release.
Combined with the salary loan interest rate reduction from 10% to 8% per year, effective July 2025, this is a significant improvement to SSS benefits. If you are approaching retirement, your pension will already reflect these increases above what a pre-2025 estimate 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) | 5% member + 10% manning agency | ₱5,000 |
| Voluntary | 15% full (member pays all) | ₱5,000 |
| Kasambahay below ₱5,000 | Employer pays full 15% | ₱1,000 |
Kasambahay earning ₱5,000 or more share the contribution like regular employees. Sea-based OFWs are treated as employed members, with the manning agency as employer.
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 |
| Branches & offices | sss.gov.ph/contact-us/ |
SSS Calculators and Tables:
📋 Information verified — Official sources: sss.gov.ph/benefits/ · sss.gov.ph/funeral-benefit/ · RA 11199
⚠️ 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.
