SSS to increase coverage of digital self-service kiosks

MANILA, Philippines — The state-run Social Security System (SSS) plans to broaden the coverage of services that can be accessed by its members through its digital platforms, according to a top official.

In a statement, SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio said the state fund wants to expand the implementation of the SSS self-service express terminal (SSS-ExT), formerly called the self-service information terminal, in 128 additional branches and service offices nationwide.

She said the SSS is also planning to increase the services offered through the SSS-ExT. “Soon our members may also file their salary loan applications and update their contact information, do simplified web registration, generate payment reference number to pay for their monthly contributions through the SSS-ExT.  We are already setting up the infrastructure to make transacting with SSS easier for our stakeholders,” Ignacio said.

SSS-ExT currently allows members to file their maternity notification and pensioners to change their address and contact information.

It also enables members and pensioners to verify their records with SSS, such as their monthly contributions, loan status, Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card information, benefit claims status like sickness and maternity, employment history, flexi-fund status, and their member details.

According to the SSS, there are so far 280 SSS-ExT units deployed in its branches nationwide.

As of the end of March, more than 21.5 million online inquiries were received through the SSS-ExT and more than 324,000 transactions have been made.

 Ignacio said the increased capability of the SSS-ExT system is part of the agency’s  thrust to shift to digital technology when it comes to servicing its members and pensioners.

This was in line with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez’s goal of strengthening the digital platforms of SSS to ensure better service delivery.

Aside from the SSS-ExT, the state fund also has other online channels that members and pensioners may use in making transactions with the SSS.

 “They may use their online account via My.SSS in the SSS website, and make inquiries using the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) and Text-SSS,” the state pension fund said.

 Ignacio also urged members of the pension fund to use the SSS mobile application for a more convenient way of viewing their membership information through their smartphones and tablets.

“Our members should take advantage of this application since it will save them time and effort in monitoring their status and contributions with the SSS. They do not have to go to our branch just to check if their employer has been remitting their contributions or whether their loan payments are already posted,” Ignacio said.

She said the platform has landed among the top three most downloaded applications under the productivity category in Google Play Store with more than 1.52 million downloads and ranked among the top four with the highest number of downloads in the Apple Store with nearly 110,000 downloads from iOs phone users.