SSS gives more time for pensioners to comply with annual confirmation requirement

The Social Security System (SSS) has extended the deadline for pensioners to comply with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP), to give more pensions time to comply amid the ongoing community quarantines.

In a statement on Wednesday, the SSS said pensioners will be given 60 days after all forms of the community quarantines have been lifted to comply with the ACOP requirement.

The ACOP aims to ensure continuous payment of benefits to payees in accordance with the Social Security Law, by checking that the beneficiaries maintain their eligibility to receive pensions.

This covers all retiree (residing abroad), survivor, and total disability pensioners, as well as dependents and their guardians.

According to the SSS, pensioners who have not complied with the ACOP for the calendar year 2020, specifically those with birth months from January until the end of the community quarantine, will continue to receive monthly pensions until the following month of the last day of the quarantine in the country.

One all forms of community quarantines are lifted, pensioners will then be given 60 days to comply with the ACOP requirement else have their monthly pensions suspended.

"Despite the gradual easing of community quarantine restrictions, we have decided to err on the side of caution and extend the temporary ACOP suspension. The health and safety of our members and pensioners remain our top concern," said SSS president and chief executive officer Aurora Ignacio.

The SSS said pensioners can submit documents online — ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph for those overseas, and member_relations@sss.gov.ph for those residing in the Philippines.

They may also send documents to the corporate email of the SSS office in their respective areas, or through SSS offices and dropboxes. --Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News