Learn about your SSS monthly contribution, contribution rate, how to compute the amount, and what benefits its membership offer.
What is SSS?
SSS, or Social Security System, is social security or social insurance provider founded on Republic Act No. 1161 (Social Security Act of 1954). Furthermore, the amendments strengthened the SSS foundation until Republic Act No. 11199 was passed and approved. In addition, RA 11199 is also called the Social Security Act of 2018.
Additionally, the government instituted SSS to provide financial assistance and support to its members (or their dependents) in times of sickness, disability, maternity, old age, calamities, unemployment, or death. For example, financial assistance may come in loans, pensions, or cash allowances. Furthermore, SSS membership is a lifetime membership, and paid contributions are non-withdrawable.
Looking for a different employee benefit? Check our list of government-mandated benefits.
Who are the people required to be covered by the SSS?
RA 11199 also specifies the people that the Social Security System covers. Below is the list of said people.
Private Employees
Employees of private companies and businesses, regardless of their employment status (provisional, temporary, permanent), are required by law to have active SSS accounts and make their SSS monthly contributions unless they are over the age of 60 years.
Household Helpers and Domestic Workers
SSS also requires the people hired to do household chores and housework to have coverage. This policy applies as long as they are not over 60.
Drivers and Operators of Public Utilized Vehicles
Operators and drivers of public utilized vehicles such as tricycles, jeepneys, vans, and buses must also have SSS coverage.
Self-employed Persons
People who recognize no other employer but themselves, earn at least ₱ 1,000.00 per month, and are not over 60 years are required by law to have SSS coverage. SSS also specifies who is classified as self-employed members.
- Self-employed professionals.
- Sole owners or partner proprietors of businesses.
- Media personalities, scriptwriters, directors, and news correspondents who are not employees.
- Professional athletes, trainers, and coaches.
- Farmers, fishermen, and workers from the Informal Sector (IS) who have irregular or seasonal incomes.
- Other self-employed individuals as categorized by the Social Security Commission (SSC).
Employees of Philippine-based Foreign Governments or Organizations. The employees of foreign governments or organizations based here in the Philippines who have an administrative agreement with SSS must have SSS coverage.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). All OFWs are now covered mandatorily by SSS, whether land-based or sea-based. OFW is defined as a person who will take part, is taking part, and has taken part in a paid activity in a location where they are not a citizen or aboard a vessel in foreign areas aside from government military or non-commercial ships.
Persons not belonging to the abovementioned groups can still register for an account with SSS. They will be under the Voluntary Member category.
What is the SSS contribution rate in 2022?
The monthly SSS contribution in 2022 was 13%. Furthermore, the employer and employees share the payment of this total contribution amount. The breakdown is as follows:
Empoyer Share: 0.085 or 8.5%
Employee Share: 0.045 or 4.5%
What is the new SSS contribution table for 2023?
The monthly SSS contributions recently increased to 14% this 2023 from 13% last year. As a result, there have also been adjustments to the contribution table. Furthermore, the breakdown of the employer and employee share is as follows:
Empoyer Share: 0.095 or 9.5%
Employee Share: 0.045 or 4.5%
Below is the contribution table:
The SSS contribution table, otherwise known as the SSS contribution schedule, shows the correct amounts of SSS contributions from the employer and the employee or any SSS member to make the total SSS monthly contribution. Computing the employer’s share, the employee’s share, and the total contribution using the Monthly Salary Credit or MSC also requires the SSS contribution table.
The contributions may also include an Employee’s Compensation (EC) contribution for Employed members. The employer pays such solely as part of the Employee Compensation Program (ECP). Part of it provides a compensation package for work-related injury, sickness, or death.
The new SSS contribution table also has a column for the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). The MPF contribution is mandatory for those earning more than ₱20,250. The employer and the employee share the contribution for the MPF the same way they share the regular sss contribution, but only over ₱20,000. The MPF is a program to raise members’ savings for better retirement benefits.
How to compute and pay SSS contribution of members
The total contribution rate for SSS premiums is 14% of the SSS member’s Monthly Salary Credit (MSC). You can find the MSC on the contribution table after determining the member’s correct Range of Compensation or salary bracket. To select the proper Range of Compensation, match where your monthly salary coincides. However, there are differences in computing the total contribution.
Regular Employers and Employees
The total monthly contribution (TMC) with a salary bracket below ₱20,250.00 can be computed using this formula:
- (MSC x contribution rate) + EC contribution = TMC
2022 Computation: If your salary is ₱10,650.00, your MSC is ₱10,500, and your EC is 10. (10,500 x 0.13) + 10 = 1,375. Your Total Monthly Contribution is ₱1,375.00.
2023 Computation: If your salary is ₱10,650.00, your MSC is ₱10,500, and your EC is 10. (10,500 x 0.14) + 10 = 1,480. Your Total Monthly Contribution is ₱1,480.
The total monthly contribution with a Range of Compensation equal to or above ₱20,250.00 can be computed using this formula:
- (MSC x contribution rate) + EC contribution+ (MPF x contribution rate) = TMC
2022 Computation: If your salary is ₱23,000.00, your MSC is 20,000. Your MPF is 3,000, and your E.C. is 30. (20,000 x 0.13) + 30 + (3,000 x 0.13) = 3,020.00. Your total monthly contribution is ₱3,020.00.
2023 Computation: If your salary is ₱23,000.00, your MSC is 20,000. Your MPF is 3,000, and your E.C. is 30. (20,000 x 0.14) + 30 + (3,000 x 0.14) = 3,020.00. Your total monthly contribution is ₱3,220.00.
Furthermore, you may use the formulas above to determine your share of the total SSS contribution. Just change the contribution rate from 0.14 to 0.095 if you are an employer, or remove E.C. and change the rate to 0.045 if you are an employee.
- For an employer with MSC at 11,500 and EC contribution at 10. (11,500 x 0.095) + 10 = 1,102.50. Your SSS monthly contribution for your employee is ₱1,102.50.
- For an employer with an MSC of 20,000, MPF of 4,500, and EC contribution of 30. (20,000 x 0.095) + 30 + (4,500 x 0.095) = 2,357.50. Your SSS monthly contribution for your employee is ₱2,357.50.
- For an employee with MSC at 9,000. (9,000 x 0.045) = 405.00. Your SSS contribution is ₱405.00 per month.
- For an employee with an MSC of 20,000 and MPF of 3,500. (20,000 x 0.045) + (3,500 x 0.045) = 1,057.50. Your SSS contribution is ₱1,057.50 per month.
The employees’ total contribution comes from a monthly deduction from their salaries.
Self-Employed Member
Self-employed individuals must pay their total contribution, which is 13% of their declared monthly income plus EC contribution, by themselves.
- For members with a range of compensation less than ₱20,250: (Monthly Salary Credit x rate of contribution) + EC = TMC. Example: (12,000 x 0.13) + 10 = 1,570. The TMC is ₱1,570.00.
- For members with a range of compensation equal to or over ₱20,250: (Monthly Salary Credit x rate of contribution) + (MPF x rate of contribution) + EC = TMC. Example: (20,000 x 0.13) + (2,000 x 0.13) + 30 = 2,890. The TMC is ₱2,890.00.
Voluntary Members and Non-Working Spouses
For a voluntary member, the range of compensation and monthly salary credit depends on the monthly income declared at the account registration.
- For members with a range of compensation less than ₱20,250: MSC x contribution rate = TMC. Example: 12,000 x 0.13 = 1,560. The TMC is ₱1,560.00.
- For members with a range of compensation equal to or over ₱20,250: (MSC x contribution rate) + (MPF x contribution rate) = TMC. Example: (20,000 x 0.13) + (2,000 x 0.13) = 2,860. The TMC is ₱2,860.00.
A Non-working Spouse member is also a voluntary member and therefore uses the same formula to compute their total contribution as other members. The only difference is that their monthly salary credit is based on 50% of their working spouse’s MSC.
Household Employers and Kasambahays
Furthermore, the formulas used for the computation of the TMC for kasambahays and their employers are the same formulas used for Regular Employers and Employees. However, the TMC of a Kasambahay whose monthly income falls below ₱5,000 is paid solely by their household employer.
OFWs
Lastly, the formula for computing the TMC of an Overseas Filipino Worker is the same as that of voluntary individuals. The only difference is that the minimum MSC of an Overseas Filipino Worker is ₱8,000. This is higher than the ₱3,000 for voluntary individuals, regardless of their monthly income being less than ₱8,000.
What are the benefits of SSS?
SSS provides several benefits for its members or their declared dependents. Mainly, SSS provides a total of the lucky number seven (7) benefits. Listed below are the benefits that SSS offers and their corresponding conditions.
Sickness Benefit
The sickness benefit is a cash allowance given daily for the corresponding days of the member’s inability to work due to injury or sickness. A member can avail of this benefit if they have been confined in a hospital or home for a minimum of four (4) days, have used up all paid company sick leaves, and have notified their employer. Furthermore, they must also have complete payments for at least three (3) months of the 12 months before the semester of sickness or injury. They must also notify SSS directly by applying for a sickness benefit if not a regular employee.
The allowance equals 90% of the member’s average daily salary credit (ADSC). The sickness benefit only covers a maximum of 120 days yearly.
Maternity Benefit
The maternity benefit is a cash allowance given daily for the number of days the member cannot work due to childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. To avail of the maternity benefit, the member must have complete payments for at least three (3) months of the 12 months before the semester of childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. Lastly, the member, if employed, must have notified her employer of her pregnancy and probable date of birth or informed SSS directly if not a regular employee.
The amount given to the member is equal to 100% of her ADSC for 105 days for standard or caesarian section delivery. Furthermore, it grants 120 days for a solo parent, and 60 days for miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy.
Disability Benefit
The disability benefit is a cash benefit given as a pension monthly, called Disability Pension, or as a lump sum amount to a member who has become completely or partially disabled permanently. A member can claim this benefit if he/she has paid at least one (1) monthly contribution before the semester of disability.
To qualify for a monthly pension, the member must have completed at least 36 months’ worth of contributions. If the contribution is less than 36 months’ worth, the member is given a lump sum instead.
For those who qualify for the Disability Pension, the minimum amount given is ₱2,000 per month with less than ten (10) credited years of service (CYS). In contrast, it is ₱2,200 for those with at least ten (10) CYS, and ₱3,400 for those with 20 or more CYS. In addition, ₱500 is given for Supplemental Allowance monthly. Finally, a maximum of five (5) dependents of members with total disabilities are given a monthly pension amounting to 10% of the member’s basic monthly pension or ₱250, whichever is bigger.
Members with full total disability are given a 13th-month pension every December. Members with partial disability are given a 13th-month pension if the duration of the pension is at least 12 months.
Unemployment Benefit
The unemployment benefit is a one-time payment cash benefit given to members who have been involuntarily separated from work due to downsizing, closure, installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, and others. Separation from employment due to the member’s misconduct disqualifies him/her from this benefit.
To qualify for this benefit, a member must not be over 60 years and has paid at least 36 months’ worth of contributions, 12 of which belong to the 18-month period immediately before separation. The amount given to qualified members equals the amount of the member’s average monthly salary credit (AMSC). The claim must be filed within a year from the date of involuntary separation.
Retirement Benefit
The retirement benefit is a cash benefit given to members as a monthly pension or a lump sum when they can no longer work due to old age. Furthermore, a member must at least be 60 years of age if separated from employment or at least 65 years of age if employed, self-employed, OFW, or Kasambahay.
To qualify for the monthly pension, the member must have paid at least a total contribution worth 120 months. If less than 120 months, the member is given the lump sum amount of his/her contributions. However, the member may opt to continue paying the contributions until he/she becomes eligible for the monthly SSS pension. Members are also given a 13th-month pension every December.
Qualified members get a minimum amount of ₱2,200 if with at least ten (10) CYS and ₱3,400 if with at least 20 CYS. Lastly, a maximum of five (5) dependents can get a Dependent’s Pension equal to 10% of the member’s basic monthly pension or ₱250.
Death Benefit
The death benefit is a cash benefit that is granted to the beneficiaries of a deceased member in the form of a monthly pension or lump sum amount. The member must have paid a total of 36 months’ worth of contribution for the primary beneficiary to qualify for a monthly pension, otherwise, a lump sum amount will be given. Additionally, the given amount to the beneficiaries and dependents is the same as that of the disability benefit. A 13th-month death pension is also given every December.
Funeral Benefit
The funeral benefit is a cash benefit given to whoever paid for the funeral expenses of the deceased member who had a least one (1) monthly contribution payment. Furthermore, the minimum amount given a funeral benefit is ₱20,000 and the maximum is ₱40,000 depending on the member’s number of paid monthly contributions and AMSC.
Suppose you do not have an SSS account. In that case, you can first visit the SSS website and apply for an online account. For their website, click here. To apply for an SSS online account, register here.
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