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Philippines
| Total population (m.): | 93.6 |
| GDP per capita (USD): | 1847 |
Old Age, Disability and Survivors
Regulatory Framework
First and current law: 1954 (Republic Act 1161; old age, disability, and survivors), with 1997 (Republic Act 8282) amendment.
Type of program: Social insurance system.
Type of program: Social insurance system.
Coverage
Private-sector employees, household workers, and self-employed persons up to age 60 earning at least 1,000 pesos a month.
Voluntary coverage for Filipino citizens working abroad; insured persons who are no longer eligible for compulsory coverage; and nonworking spouses of insured persons.
Special systems for government employees and military personnel.
Source of funds
Insured person: 3.33% of gross monthly earnings, according to 29 income classes.
Voluntarily insured persons pay the combined insured person and employer contributions of 10.4% of gross monthly earnings, according to 29 income classes. The contributions for a voluntarily insured nonworking spouse are based on 50% of the gross monthly earnings of the working spouse.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Self-employed person: 10.4% of gross monthly earnings, according to 29 income classes.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos.
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Employer: 7.07% of the employee's monthly earnings.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos.
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Government: Any deficit.
The minimum and maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are adjusted periodically by the Social Security Commission, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
Voluntarily insured persons pay the combined insured person and employer contributions of 10.4% of gross monthly earnings, according to 29 income classes. The contributions for a voluntarily insured nonworking spouse are based on 50% of the gross monthly earnings of the working spouse.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Self-employed person: 10.4% of gross monthly earnings, according to 29 income classes.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos.
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Employer: 7.07% of the employee's monthly earnings.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,000 pesos.
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 15,000 pesos.
The above contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits and funeral benefits.
Government: Any deficit.
The minimum and maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are adjusted periodically by the Social Security Commission, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines.
Qualifying conditions
Old-age pension: Age 60 with at least 120 months of contributions before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the pension is first paid. Employment or self-employment must cease. Age 65 with at least 120 months of contributions and employment may continue.
Age 55 for miners who worked underground for at least 5 years and who are involuntarily unemployed or have ceased self-employment.
The pension is suspended if an old-age pensioner resumes employment or self-employment before age 65. There is no employment test after age 65.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled) conceived on or before the insured's date of retirement. The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Old-age grant: Age 60 with less than 120 months of contributions.
Disability pension: Must be assessed with a permanent total or partial disability of at least 20% and have at least 36 months of contributions before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began.
Dependent's supplement (permanent total disability): Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled). The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Supplementary allowance: Paid to recipients of a permanent total or partial disability pension.
A Social Security System doctor assesses the degree of disability annually.
The pension is suspended if the disability pensioner recovers, resumes employment (in the case of a total disability), or fails to report for the annual physical examination.
Disability grant: Must be assessed with a permanent total or partial disability but have less than 36 months of contributions.
Survivor pension: Paid for the death of an old-age or disability pensioner. The insured had at least 36 months of contributions before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the death occurred.
Eligible survivors are the surviving spouse and up to five dependent children younger than age 21 (no age limit if disabled; employed or married children are not eligible). The spouse's benefit ceases on remarriage and the amount is split between the eligible surviving children.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled) conceived on or before the date of death. The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Survivor grant: Paid if the deceased had less than 36 months of contributions.
Eligible survivors are the surviving spouse and up to five dependent children under age 21 (no age limit if disabled; employed or married children are not eligible). In the absence of a spouse and dependent children, the benefit is paid to dependent parents or to the person named by the deceased.
Funeral grant: Paid to the person who paid for the funeral.
Age 55 for miners who worked underground for at least 5 years and who are involuntarily unemployed or have ceased self-employment.
The pension is suspended if an old-age pensioner resumes employment or self-employment before age 65. There is no employment test after age 65.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled) conceived on or before the insured's date of retirement. The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Old-age grant: Age 60 with less than 120 months of contributions.
Disability pension: Must be assessed with a permanent total or partial disability of at least 20% and have at least 36 months of contributions before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began.
Dependent's supplement (permanent total disability): Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled). The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Supplementary allowance: Paid to recipients of a permanent total or partial disability pension.
A Social Security System doctor assesses the degree of disability annually.
The pension is suspended if the disability pensioner recovers, resumes employment (in the case of a total disability), or fails to report for the annual physical examination.
Disability grant: Must be assessed with a permanent total or partial disability but have less than 36 months of contributions.
Survivor pension: Paid for the death of an old-age or disability pensioner. The insured had at least 36 months of contributions before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the death occurred.
Eligible survivors are the surviving spouse and up to five dependent children younger than age 21 (no age limit if disabled; employed or married children are not eligible). The spouse's benefit ceases on remarriage and the amount is split between the eligible surviving children.
Dependent's supplement: Paid for each of the five youngest children under age 21 (no limit if disabled) conceived on or before the date of death. The supplement ceases before age 21 if a child marries or becomes employed.
Survivor grant: Paid if the deceased had less than 36 months of contributions.
Eligible survivors are the surviving spouse and up to five dependent children under age 21 (no age limit if disabled; employed or married children are not eligible). In the absence of a spouse and dependent children, the benefit is paid to dependent parents or to the person named by the deceased.
Funeral grant: Paid to the person who paid for the funeral.
Cash benefits for insured workers (except permanent disability)
Old-age pension: The monthly pension is 300 pesos, plus 20% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings and 2% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings for each year of service exceeding 10 years or 40% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings, whichever is greater.
Average monthly covered earnings are the sum of the last 60 months of covered earnings immediately before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the pension is first paid divided by 60, or the sum of all monthly covered earnings paid before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the pension is first paid divided by the number of monthly contributions paid in the same period, whichever is greater.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 15,000 pesos.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,200 pesos if the insured contributed for at least 10 years but for less than 20 years; 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum monthly pension.
Partial lump sum: The insured may choose to receive the first 18 monthly pension payments (not including dependent supplements and the 13th pension payment in the first year) as a lump sum.
Dependent's supplement: 10% of the old-age pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year (except for newly retired pensioners who choose a partial lump sum, in which case the periodic pension is paid from the 19th month).
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Old-age grant: A lump sum is paid of employee and employer contributions plus 6% interest.
Average monthly covered earnings are the sum of the last 60 months of covered earnings immediately before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the pension is first paid divided by 60, or the sum of all monthly covered earnings paid before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the pension is first paid divided by the number of monthly contributions paid in the same period, whichever is greater.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 15,000 pesos.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,200 pesos if the insured contributed for at least 10 years but for less than 20 years; 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum monthly pension.
Partial lump sum: The insured may choose to receive the first 18 monthly pension payments (not including dependent supplements and the 13th pension payment in the first year) as a lump sum.
Dependent's supplement: 10% of the old-age pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year (except for newly retired pensioners who choose a partial lump sum, in which case the periodic pension is paid from the 19th month).
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Old-age grant: A lump sum is paid of employee and employer contributions plus 6% interest.
Permanent disability benefits for insured workers
Disability pension: The monthly pension is 300 pesos plus 20% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings and 2% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings for each year of service exceeding 10 years or 40% of the insured's average monthly covered earnings, whichever is greater.
Average monthly covered earnings are the sum of the last 60 months of covered earnings immediately before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began divided by 60, or the sum of all monthly covered earnings paid before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began divided by the number of monthly contributions paid in the same period, whichever is greater.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 15,000 pesos.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,000 pesos if the insured contributed for less than 10 years; 1,200 pesos with at least 10 years but less than 20 years; or 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum disability pension.
Dependent's supplement (permanent total disability): 10% of the disability pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Partial disability: A percentage of the full pension is paid according to the assessed degree of disability. The total pension benefit is paid as a lump sum if the payment period is less than 12 months.
Supplementary allowance: 500 pesos a month.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Disability grant: For a permanent total disability, a lump sum is paid of the insured's monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions or 12 times the monthly pension, whichever is greater.
For a permanent partial disability, a lump sum is paid of the insured's monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions multiplied by the assessed degree of disability or 12 monthly pensions multiplied by the assessed degree of disability, whichever is greater.
Average monthly covered earnings are the sum of the last 60 months of covered earnings immediately before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began divided by 60, or the sum of all monthly covered earnings paid before the 6-month period (January-June, April-September, July-December, or October-March) in which the disability began divided by the number of monthly contributions paid in the same period, whichever is greater.
The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 1,000 pesos (5,000 pesos for voluntarily insured overseas workers).
The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are 15,000 pesos.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,000 pesos if the insured contributed for less than 10 years; 1,200 pesos with at least 10 years but less than 20 years; or 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum disability pension.
Dependent's supplement (permanent total disability): 10% of the disability pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Partial disability: A percentage of the full pension is paid according to the assessed degree of disability. The total pension benefit is paid as a lump sum if the payment period is less than 12 months.
Supplementary allowance: 500 pesos a month.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Disability grant: For a permanent total disability, a lump sum is paid of the insured's monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions or 12 times the monthly pension, whichever is greater.
For a permanent partial disability, a lump sum is paid of the insured's monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions multiplied by the assessed degree of disability or 12 monthly pensions multiplied by the assessed degree of disability, whichever is greater.
Survivors benefits for dependents
Survivor pension: The pension is 100% of the monthly old-age pension that would have been paid to the deceased.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,000 pesos if the deceased contributed less than 10 years; 1,200 pesos with at least 10 but less than 20 years; 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum survivor pension.
Dependent's supplement: 10% of the deceased's pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Survivors of an old-age or a permanent total disability pensioner receive 100% of the deceased's pension plus dependent supplements. In the absence of a surviving spouse and dependent children and if the insured died within 60 months after first receiving a pension, a lump sum of 60 months of pension minus the value of the pension already paid is payable to dependent parents. In the absence of dependent parents, the benefit is paid to the person named by the deceased.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Survivor grant: A lump sum is paid of the deceased's monthly old-age pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions or 12 times the monthly pension, whichever is greater.
Funeral grant: A lump sum of 20,000 pesos is paid.
The minimum monthly pension is 1,000 pesos if the deceased contributed less than 10 years; 1,200 pesos with at least 10 but less than 20 years; 2,400 pesos with at least 20 years of contributions.
There is no maximum survivor pension.
Dependent's supplement: 10% of the deceased's pension or 250 pesos, whichever is greater.
Survivors of an old-age or a permanent total disability pensioner receive 100% of the deceased's pension plus dependent supplements. In the absence of a surviving spouse and dependent children and if the insured died within 60 months after first receiving a pension, a lump sum of 60 months of pension minus the value of the pension already paid is payable to dependent parents. In the absence of dependent parents, the benefit is paid to the person named by the deceased.
Schedule of payments: 13 payments a year.
Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted on an ad hoc basis according to changes in prices and wages and the financial health of the fund, subject to approval by the Social Security Commission.
Survivor grant: A lump sum is paid of the deceased's monthly old-age pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions or 12 times the monthly pension, whichever is greater.
Funeral grant: A lump sum of 20,000 pesos is paid.
Administrative organization
A tripartite Social Security Commission is responsible for the general management, supervision, and regulation of the program.
Social Security System (http://www.sss.gov.ph) collects contributions and pays benefits under the direction and control of the Social Security Commission.
Social Security System,
East Avenue, Diliman,
Quezon City,
Philippines
Tel.: +(632) 920 64 01
Fax: +(632) 922 31 73
Social Security System (http://www.sss.gov.ph) collects contributions and pays benefits under the direction and control of the Social Security Commission.
Social Security System,
East Avenue, Diliman,
Quezon City,
Philippines
Tel.: +(632) 920 64 01
Fax: +(632) 922 31 73
Last survey reply: 01 July 2010
Last ISSA update: 01 July 2010
Exchange rate: US$1.00 = 46.50 pesos.