My SSS Retirement Benefit
I finally got my hand on the first tranche of my Social Security System (SSS) retirement benefit after exactly seven (7) months of waiting. A small amount representing the first 18-month lump sum of my SSS pension got credited last June 20, 2013 to a bank savings account I opened specifically for the purpose. I did not get any notice by mail and I only learned about the payment when I made a personal follow-up with Members Assistance Center (MAC) at Marikina City SSS Branch last July 9, 2013.
I reached the retirement age of sixty (60) years old in November of last year but I did not get to file for my SSS retirement benefit until January 9, 2013. After three (3) visits to Marikina SSS Branch and supposed compliance to the requirements, I was told that it may take three (3) months to process my claim so I content myself with waiting for the notice of its approval via snail mail.
The SSS online inquiry by members who registered to the system was working alright for me so I was able to monitor the progress of my claim until the middle of May when I can no longer see anything on my dashboard except a static page that says my claim is in-process. On May 28, I decided to make a personal follow-up with Marikina MAC and was told that there is something wrong with my supporting documents. I was able to submit the corrected documents on the same day and was told again to wait for the formal notice which they said should come within one month.
As I mentioned above, I never get to receive the SSS mail confirming the approval and initial payment of my SSS retirement benefit and I am still waiting for it up to this time. I need to have the SSS Retirement Voucher which I suppose to be included in the notice that they should mail to me. The Pag-IBIG Fund where I also have a small provident benefit claim to make requires me to submit the said document. My permanent old-age membership with PhilHealth will likewise require the submission of my SSS Retirement Voucher. Now, I am wondering if I will get such very important document without the need to personally follow-up again with SSS.
I am interested with your predicament for I have been a member of SSS for 15 year before I transferred working to government as a teacher and later as a school principal.
I started paying my SSS premium in 1975 while I was working in a Rural Bank for 5 years. Then I changed my employer when I resigned in the said bank. I worked as a property custodian in LDS Church in 1980 until in 1991.
When I verified my SSS payment recently from a local office near in our place, the SSS personnel informed me that only 5-year premium was credited to my account. What happened to my other 10 years of remittance? I presumed that 5 year premium was made by the Rural Bank. Then the other unpaid premiums for 10 years belong to LDS Church. I didn’t believe that the Church was not able to pay the said premium for I had some copies of my payslip and it was reflected there my SSS contribution.
Do you have any idea in which I could also claim my pension with such discrepancy in premium payment? I would gladly welcome if you could share some ideas on this. Thank you.
Hi Gil,
Thank you for the visit and the comment. Let me say my opinion and suggestion on your predicament as follows:
First, let me say that you need at least 120 monthly contributions to be entitled to SSS monthly pension if you retire at age 60 or 65. If you are saying that only around 60 monthly contributions are showing in your record, that would entitle you only to a lump sum amount at age 65. If you are 60 years old at the moment, you have the option to continue your SSS membership until age 65 and pay the monthly contributions as self-employed or voluntary member and hope that you complete the required 120 monthly contributions to be entitled to monthly SSS pension.
Regarding the 10-year employment you had with LDS Church, you need to dig up the records of remittances of your monthly SSS contributions and give copies to SSS for posting. In the meantime, you may want to register online at SSS website so that you can see your records in the system. You need to have the name of one of your previous employers and its SSS number to be able to register.
I have tried to register, but my problem is that SSS is looking of the latest proof of payment which I couldn’t provide them. How can I register then?
You said you tried to register at https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/member.jsp and you were asked for your latest proof of payment? I wonder if they changed the requirement again. It used to be that you are asked only name and SSS number of one of your previous employers. I then suggest that you go back to the SSS Branch nearest you and ask about how you can register online.