SSS Member Benefits - Qualifying Conditions, Requirements and How to Avail

Complete list of 7 sss member benefits

Different SSS member benefits come together with its own implementing rules and regulations. This is stated under the Republic Act No. 8282 - Social Security Law. This also allows the Social Security System to know who qualifies or not. 

Here, covered employees from the private sector are entitled to a list of specific benefits under the Social Security and Employees' Compensation (EC) programs. These benefits may be availed in any event of disability, sickness, retirement or old age, maternity / paternity, unemployment and death or loss of life. Do note that self-employed and voluntary paying members will enjoy the same set of benefits as employees covered by the law except of course the benefits list under ECC (Employees Compensation Commission) program.

This is also offered in just small amount compared to other investments like mutual fund, stock market equity, bond fund, money market fund and balanced fund. SSS member benefits may be considered as an income replacement comparable to micro insurance.

On the other hand, if you want a full computation of an income replacement benefit, you might want to consider getting a life insurance based from D.I.M.E. computation. In this case, ask for professional advice of a registered or qualified insurance advisor.

Finally, the Social Security System (SSS) provides various benefits to its members, offering financial assistance and security. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the benefits, pre-qualifying conditions, and how to claim them.

1. SICKNESS BENEFIT

Sickness Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a daily cash allowance paid to the qualified SSS member for the number of days he or she is rendered unable to work due to sickness or injury.

qualifying conditions for SICKNESS BENEFIT

• Member must have paid at least 3 months of contribution within the 12-month period immediately before the semester of sickness or injury.
• If a member has already used up all the company sick leave with pay for the current year and has notified the employer regarding this consumption.
• If a member is unable to work due to sickness or injury during working hours or duty and must be either confined in a hospital or at home for at least 4 days.
• The member must notify the SSS by filing for a sickness benefit application if he or she is separated form employment, a self-employed or voluntary paying member, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW) members.

2. MATERNITY BENEFIT

Meternity Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a daily cash allowance granted to female members who are unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage. This benefit aims to provide financial support during the maternity period.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR MATERNITY BENEFIT

• Paid at least 3 months of contributions within the 12-month period before the semester of delivery/miscarriage
• If employed, a notification of pregnancy through her employer is required
• She must directly notify the SSS if she is separated from employment, a self-employed or voluntary member including if an OFW member.

3. RETIREMENT BENEFIT

Retirement Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a monthly pension or lump sum amount provided to members who have reached the required retirement age and have met the necessary contribution requirements. This benefit ensures financial stability during the member’s retirement years.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR RETIREMENT BENEFIT

Member must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement and is any of the following, whichever is applicable:

1. at least 60 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE/OFW/Household Helper (optional retirement);
2. at least 65 years old whether still employed/SE, working as OFW/Household Helper or not (technical retirement);
3. at least 55 years old and separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE, if an “underground mineworker” (optional retirement);
4. at least 60 years old whether still employed/SE or not, if an “underground mineworker” (technical retirement); or
5. a total disability pensioner who has recovered from disability and is at least 60 years old (or at least 55 years old, if an underground mineworker).

A former retiree-pensioner whose monthly pension was suspended due to reemployment/self-employment and is now separated from employment or has ceased to be an SE.

A member who is 60 years old and above, but not yet 65, with 120 contributions or more may continue paying as VM up to 65 years old to avail of the higher amount of benefit.

Terms and conditions for retirement of Underground Mineworkers

An Underground Mineworker is any person employed to extract mineral deposits underground or whose workplace is beneath the ground performing and coordinating activities for the purpose of searching for and extracting mineral deposits, which includes the muckers, miners, bull-gang workers, etc. and any other person working underground regardless of positions such as geologist, security guards, mechanics or sampler.

4. DISABILITY BENEFIT

Disability Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a cash benefit given to a member who becomes permanently disabled, either partially or totally. This benefit helps the member with daily expenses and medical costs associated with the disability.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR DISABILITY BENEFIT

1. The member has paid at least 1 month of contribution before the semester of disability
2. To qualify for a monthly disability pension, he/she must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of disability.
3. If with less than 36 monthly contributions, he/she is granted a lump sum amount.

5. DEATH BENFIT

Death Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a cash benefit given to the beneficiaries of a deceased member. It comes in the form of a monthly pension or lump sum amount, helping the family cope with the loss and associated expenses.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR DEATH BENEFIT

A monthly death pension is granted to the primary beneficiary/ies of the deceased member who had paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

Primary beneficiary/ies:

• the dependent spouse until he/she remarries, and
• dependent legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted and illegitimate children who are below 21 years old, not gainfully employed, not married

Meanwhile, a lump sum amount is granted to:

• the beneficiary/ies of the deceased member who has paid less than 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

If there are no primary beneficiaries, the member’s secondary beneficiaries (dependent parents) shall be given a lump sum amount.

A lump sum amount is also granted to:

• designated beneficiary/ies and legal heirs in the absence of primary and secondary beneficiaries

6. FUNERAL BENEFIT

Funeral Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is a cash benefit paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of a deceased member. This benefit helps cover the costs of funeral services.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR FUNERAL BENEFIT

1. The employee-member was reported for coverage by his/her employer.
2. A self-employed member/OFW/non-working spouse who had at least one (1) contribution payment.
3. A voluntary member who was previously covered either as an employed/self-employed/OFW and had at least one (1) contribution payment.
4. The employee-member was subject to compulsory coverage but was not reported for coverage by his/her employer.

7. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

Sickness Benefit - (definition) This SSS member benefit is also called Unemployment Insurance or Involuntary Separation Benefit

It is a cash benefit granted to covered employees, including kasambahays and OFWs (sea-based and land-based) who are involuntarily separated from employment (e.g. due to retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, etc.)

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT

1. Member should not be over 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation; not over 50 if an underground or surface mineworker; and not over 55, if a racehorse jockey.
2. Member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should be in the 18-month period immediately preceding the month of involuntary separation.

Note:
An employee shall not be qualified to receive the benefit if he/she has been involuntarily separated from employment due to the following:

• Serious misconduct;
• Willful disobedience to lawful orders;
• Gross and habitual neglect of duties;
• Fraud or willful breach of trust/loss of confidence;
• Commission of a crime or offense; or
• Analogous cases like abandonment, gross inefficiency, disloyalty/ conflict of interest/ dishonesty.

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