SSS to further expand online services portfolio

State-run Social Security System (SSS) is adding more services to its online portfolio as it ramps up its digitalization efforts to adapt to changing times and the so-called “new normal” brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For the past years, we have been gradually shifting our stakeholders’ way of transacting with us from face-to-face to online. The pandemic motivated us further to fast track our digital transformation initiatives, not only to provide our stakeholders with faster, more convenient, and more efficient means of transacting with us but also to ensure their safety,” SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio said in a virtual presser on Wednesday.

In the same presser, SSS Benefits Administration Division vice president Norma Doctor said the pension fund has more than 20 services that are available for online transactions, which are in the My.SSS portal.

These include online applications for Calamity Loan, Pension Loan, Retirement Benefit (subject to qualifying conditions for online filing), Unemployment Benefit, and Funeral Claim.

Services also accessible through the online portal are submission of Requests for Member Data Change for simple corrections for members; and submission of Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Application for employers. 

Doctor said the SSS has plans to add more services in its online platform this year.

“We have further plans to include Membership Information Correction this year. Also, Employer Registration,  submission of Employment Records, filing of Disability [benefits] claim, Death and Maternity [benefits] applications... We plan to implement it this year,” she said.

Apart from the said services, SSS members and employers were also introduced to the Real-Time Processing of Loans Payment Reference Number (RTPL-PRN) facility, Benefit Re-disbursement Module, and improved Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) with uploading of proof of account, previously known as the Bank Enrollment Module.

The SSS also enhanced its online SS Number Application facility and has provided members with access to the Remittance Transfer Company/Cash Payout Outlet (RTC/CPO) Reference Number Inquiry.

Online transactions

Doctor said the limited mobility due to lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to online transactions.

She said online transactions rose to 75% in 2020 from 35% in 2019, whereas manual transactions decline to 25% last year from 65% in the prior year.

She noted that in 2020 there are 106 million registrations recorded in the My.SSS portal.

Apart from registrations, applications, and requirements submissions, SSS members can also access other online services such as viewing their contribution and loan records; and inquiring on the status of their benefit claims and eligibility for benefit programs, among others.

These may be accessed using the My.SSS Portal as well as the SSS Mobile App, Text-SSS, and Self-Service Express Terminals. 

Members can also view their membership information, list of PRN payments, and addresses of SSS branches; file for Salary Loans; submit Maternity Notifications (for self-employed, voluntary, and Overseas Filipino Worker members); generate PRNs for contributions; and update their contact information through the My.SSS Portal and SSS Mobile App. 

The My.SSS Portal also allows members to make an appointment with an SSS branch, send a request for SSS records, enroll in the Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) Fund or Flexi-fund, use a simulated retirement calculator, and view details of their Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card or SSS ID, as well as change their account password.

Meanwhile, with the SSS Mobile App, members can also pay contributions using PayMaya and Bank of the Philippine Islands. 

Employers, on the other hand, may view their contribution and loan records, and status of payments and benefit reimbursement claims; and update their contact information through the My.SSS Portal and SSS Mobile App. 

They may also view their SSS information; submit Employment Reports (R-1A), Loan Collection Lists (ML2), Contribution Collection Lists (R3), sickness notifications, maternity notifications; generate PRN; and certify the loans or claims of their employees through the My.SSS Portal.   

“With the continuous digitalization of SSS processes, there is a need for our stakeholders to familiarize themselves on how to use our online facilities. We encourage them to join our webinars and monitor our posts on social media,” Ignacio said. — RSJ, GMA News