SSS sets up more offices abroad

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) is further expanding its reach overseas to capture a larger share of Filipinos working or living abroad.

“We will continue to expand our foreign operations to provide our members abroad with immediate access to social security. This year, we will be deploying additional personnel in our offices overseas to assist our members,” Judy Frances A. See,  SSS senior vice president and international operations division head, said.

The SSS currently has 20 offices located in Asia, Middle East and Europe, three of which recently opened  in Toronto, Tokyo and Muscat.

Located in Philippine embassies or consulates, the SSS offices abroad accepts applications for membership, benefits and loans, and  performs data capture for unified multi-purpose ID.

In Asia, SSS has offices in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taipei, Brunei and Kuala Lumpur.

The state pension fund’s presence in the Middle East is extensive given its offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; and in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, SSS offices in Europe are located in  London and in Rome and Milan in Italy.

The monthly contribution to SSS is based on the monthly earnings declared at the time of registration. OFW members pay the full 11 percent of the monthly salary credit (MSC), the minimum of which is pegged at P5,000 or monthly contribution of P550.

Contributions can be paid through accredited collection partners abroad.

OFWs are advised to remit contributions based on the maximum MSC of P16,000 since SSS benefits are computed based on the number of contributions paid and the member’s MSC.

The Philippines has bilateral agreements on social security with Austria, Canada and Quebec, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain.

Agreements with Denmark, Portugal and Germany have been signed and are awaiting completion of the ratification process. The agreements ensure payment of social security benefits to migrant workers through “totalization” and export of benefits.

With totalization, Filipinos who have divided their career time between the Philippines and these countries will be able to combine their coverage periods in both countries to meet eligibility requirements for social security pension in either or both countries.

In addition, a worker will continue to receive his benefits wherever he decides to reside in the Philippines or in any of these countries where the social security agreement is in effect.

Bilateral discussions with Japan, Korea, Israel, Sweden and Luxembourg are currently being pursued.