SSS reminds pensioners of March 31 deadline for annual confirmation

The Social Security System (SSS) on Friday reminded pensioners that the deadline for compliance with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners' Program (ACOP) is on March 31, 2022.

"All pensioners who have not yet complied with the ACOP for the calendar year 2021 are required to do so on or before March 31, 2022," the SSS said.

Complying with the ACOP ensures the continuous payment of benefits to pensioners, it added.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACOP was suspended from March 2020 to September 2021. It was resumed on October 1, 2021, the SSS said.

“For over one and a half years, we have continuously granted our pensioners their respective pensions without the corresponding reporting under the ACOP since they are high-risk individuals to the virus,” SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio said.

"We have then resumed the implementation of this program last October 1, 2021, and to make up for the suspension period, we have given all covered pensioners, except those who already complied for CY 2021, a period of six (6) months or until March 31, 2022, to submit their compliance through online and alternative methods that are designed for their safety and convenience,” she added.

Pensioners who fail to comply will not be able to receive their pensions temporarily starting with their May 2022 pensions, the SSS said.

The SSS said retirement pensioners residing in the Philippines are not required to comply with ACOP effective October 30, 2017, but are subject to other verification processes, if applicable.

Meanwhile, starting April 1, 2022, the SSS will follow the usual schedule of compliance with ACOP.

“Starting April 1, 2022, we will follow the usual schedule of compliance for the program, wherein retirement pensioners residing abroad, and total disability pensioners must comply on their birth month; survivor pensioners must comply within the birth month of the deceased member; while dependents and guardians must comply on the birth month of the member or deceased member, whichever is applicable. Non-compliance to this will also lead to the temporary suspension of their pensions,” Ignacio said.

Pensioners may also do early compliance wherein they submit their requirements six months ahead of their schedule.

They may submit their documents via email, mail or courier, or drop box at the nearest SSS branch.

Pensioners may also send a written request to the SSS for home visit, or request for appointment for video conference. 

The SSS said for more information, pensioners may check the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram or YouTube, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, or join the SSS’ Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.” —KG, GMA News