SSS text transactions surge past 600K in 2012

The Social Security System (SSS) reported on Tuesday that members' transactions through its short message service (SMS) facility reached a record 601,936 last year, up 106 percent from 2011's total of  291,600. Of the total, 212,174 or 35.2 percent were contribution inquiries. In 2012, contribution inquiries reached 129,029 messages. The number of new subscribers to the Text-SSS service also surged in 2012, with 163,384 signing up for it, 107 percent more than the 78,795 who joined in 2011. As of end-2012, the service had more than 313,000 registered users. “The Text-SSS enhancements we introduced last year gave members a huge incentive to use this facility, which brought steep growths in both registration and number of transactions. This year, we hope more members will register so they will also benefit from the ease and convenience that Text-SSS brings," said SSS vice president for member services Mario Sibucao. Launched in February 2010, Text-SSS was originally offered as a means for members to check their SSS contributions, loan balance and loan status through their mobile phones. It has since expanded its services to allow members to send feedback as well as get updates on the status of their claims. In 2012, the Text-SSS service also launched an inquiry facility for members who want to know SSS branch locations as well as the required documents for procedures such as SSS registration, amendment of membership data and filing of benefit claims. — BM, GMA News