How to Apply for an SSS Membership

SSS Benefits You Are Entitled to Obtain

Below are the necessary coverages, benefits, and perks an SSS member can avail of:

• Sickness Benefit: SSS provides a sick leave benefit if you are unable to work due to illness. You will be compensated for each day you are absent.
• Maternity Benefit: If you are unable to work due to a recent natural or C-section birth, SSS will provide you with a daily cash allowance.
• Retirement Benefit: All SSS members are eligible for retirement benefits, which can take the form of a pension or a lump sum payment.
• Disability Benefit: If you have a disability, you are eligible to receive a monthly or lump sum payment.
• Employees' Compensation Program (EC): All SSS members are eligible for this. Your employer pays the monthly EC contributions (₱10 or ₱30) on your behalf, providing you work-related sickness, injury, or disability relief.
• The Personal Equity and Savings Option (P.E.S.O.) Fund: The P.E.S.O. fund is an optional savings or investment plan that allows you to earn a higher pension by paying a higher monthly contribution than the normal amount
• Funeral Benefit: Get cash compensation if you paid for the funeral expenses of a deceased SSS member.
• Death Benefit: If you are the beneficiary of a deceased SSS member, you can receive a monthly pension or a lump sum.
• Salary Loans: SSS provides you with a short-term salary loan if you're in need of quick cash
• Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefit: It is a cash benefit for covered employees, including kasambahays and OFWs (sea- and land-based), who were involuntarily separated from employment (e.g., retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operations, installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, etc.).

Important Note: Only members with "Permanent" membership status will be eligible for loans and benefits (subject to qualifying conditions) and UMID card application (should have posted at least one contribution).

Coverage Types

Under the regular SSS program, there are two types of coverage: compulsory and voluntary.

1. Compulsory Coverage: The following individuals are required by law to be covered

• Employer (Business or Household Employer)
• Employee
• Self-Employed 
• Househelper or Kasambahay
• OFWs (land- and sea-based; except for Filipino permanent migrants, including Filipino immigrants, permanent residents and naturalized citizens of their host countries, who may be covered on a voluntary basis).

2. Voluntary Coverage: Unemployed Individuals can also avail of the social security program:

• Non-Working Spouses (NWS)
• Separated Members

How to Apply for an SSS Membership

There are now two ways to get an SSS number: in-person and online. Once you obtain your SSS number, it is yours for life.

In-Person Application

For in-person application, you need to accomplish the SS Form E-1 (Personal Record), and submit it with the original or certified true copy and photocopy of any primary or two secondary documents. One should have your photo and date of birth.

1.  Primary Documents (only ONE is required):

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Passport 
• Driver's License
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Card
• Seaman's Book

2.  Secondary Documents (if no primary document is available, submit TWO of the following):

• Alien Certificate of Registration
• ATM card with the cardholder's name
• ATM card and certification from the issuing bank that the account number belongs to the cardholder if it does not bear the cardholder's name
• Bank Account Passbook
• Birth or Baptismal Certificate
• Certificate from:

i. Office of the Southern or Northern Cultural Communitie

ii. Office of Muslim Affairs

iii. Certificate of Licensure or Qualification Document or Seafarer's ID and Record Book from the Maritime Industry Authority

iv. Certificate of Naturalization issued by the Bureau of Immigration

• Company ID
• Company Representative Authorization Card issued by SSS
• Credit Card
• Fisherman's Card issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
• GSIS Card or Certificate of Membership
• Health or Medical Card
• ID card issued by Local Government Units (e.g., Barangay/Municipality/City)
• ID card issued by professional organizations recognized by the PRC
• Life Insurance Policy
• Marriage Contract
• Membership card issued by private companies
• NBI Clearance
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration card
• Pag-IBIG Member’s Data Form
• Permit to carry firearms issued by the Firearms and Explosives Unit of the Philippine National Police  
• PhilHealth Member's Data Recor
• Police Clearance
• Postal ID
• School ID
• Seafarer's Registration Certificate issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administratio
• Senior Citizen Card
• Tax Identification Number Card
• Temporary License and Student Permit issued by the Land Transportation Office
• Transcript of School Records
• Voter's Identification Card or Affidavit

Important notes: 

• If you're applying for an SSS number as a surviving spouse or guardian aged 60 and up for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners program, you can submit any of the secondary documents along with a recent photo and age. 
• If you are married, you must also submit your marriage contract when registering.
• If you are reporting legitimate children, please provide their birth or baptismal certificates. The birth certificate must include the annotation "legitimate." 
• If you are reporting legally adopted children, please include the adoption decree. Lastly, provide the additional requirements below if you are reporting an illegitimate child.

i. Birth Certificate

ii. Baptismal Certificate

iii. School Record

iv. Insurance Policy

v. Statement before a court

For SSS authentication, all documents must be presented in their original or certified copies.

Keep in mind that going out and doing this in person means long waiting hours and lines. To keep you entertained as you wait for your turn, connect to a Free GoWiFi network and keep yourself occupied!

SSS Online Application

For a more convenient filing, head on over to www.sss.gov.ph and follow these steps:

1. Hover your mouse over the "Apply for an SS Number Online" button and click on "No SS number yet? Get it here!"

2. Accomplish all fields on the online form and click submit. Wait for a confirmation link to be sent via email.

3. After clicking the link, supply all required information from Basic Information up to Beneficiaries Information correctly. Review all the details.

4. Click "Generate SS Number" and wait for the system to display the SS Number and an option to print the ePersonal Record Form and SS Number Slip. You will also receive an email confirmation with the generated SS Number, a copy of the SS Number Slip, and further instructions to complete the application.

5. Print the ePersonal Record Form, SS Number Slip, and SS Number Application Confirmation email body sent by the SS Number Issuance System.

6. Go to the nearest SSS Branch and submit your printed records together with the required documentary requirements.

Your SSS membership status will be set to "Temporary" until the necessary supporting documents are submitted to the nearest SSS Branch. Once accomplished, the membership status will be made "Permanent."

FAQs About SSS Membership

  1.  How can I check my SSS contribution?

To check your SSS contributions online, you must first create a MySSS account. Then, proceed as follows:

• Access your MySSS account.
• Hover over "E-Services" on the Member Inquiry page, then click "Inquiry."
• Go to the Contributions – Actual Premiums page and on the Member Inquiry page, click the "Member Info" bar, then click "Actual Premiums."
• All your monthly contributions since you started as an SSS member will be listed on the Actual Premiums page.

2. How much is the SSS contribution per month?

One of the most frequently asked questions about SSS in general is, "How can I know what my SSS number is?" Here’s how to do it:

• Consult with your employer. Simply ask your HR officer for your SSS number.
• Review your E1 Form. It has a section for your SSS number in the upper left corner.
• Contact the SSS Hotline by phone or email. You can contact SSS using the methods listed below:

  
  

  i. SSS Call Center: (+623) 920 6446

  
  

  
  

  ii. SSS Trunkline No. (632) 920-640

  
  

  
  

  iii. Toll-Free No.: 1-800-10-2255777

  
  

  
  

  iv. SSS Email: [email protected]

  
  

  
  

  v. SSS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh

You can also check through the SSS Member's Assistance Section by bringing a valid ID and proceeding to the nearest SSS branch to obtain your SSS number.

   3. How many years do I have to pay SSS?

To receive their pension, a member must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement. Additional prerequisites are any of the following: at least 60 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE/OFW/Household Helper (or optional retirement).

4. What will happen if I skip my SSS contributions?

In the event of sudden unemployment, a member is not required to continue contributions. They will continue once the member is employed again. Self-employed and voluntary members can pay their monthly contributions prospectively or in advance but never retroactively to cover the skipped months.

Final Takeaways

Members and beneficiaries enrolled in this tax-exempt social security program are assured of timely, convenient, dependable and meaningful protection and adequate benefits, especially in times of calamity, sickness, maternity, disability, old age, death, and even unemployment.

Avail the full advantage of its benefits by learning the ins and outs of this financial protection. If you want to register online for an SSS membership or track your contributions to see which benefits you are entitled to, register for a GoSURF promo for an easy online experience!