IN my family, celebrating Christmas is the No. 1 family tradition that we observe. No matter where the members of the family are, everyone makes it a point to come home for Christmas. Even when both parents are now gone, I and my siblings continue the family tradition of being “home” for Christmas. Thus, on Christmas Eve, usually after coming from church, the whole family—grandchildren, nephews and nieces, brothers and sisters—all gather around the table to celebrate the joyous birthday of our Savior Jesus Christ.
After the Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve dinner, comes the part most awaited by everyone, especially the kids: the opening of gifts. It is often a riotous time with children squealing in delight or dismay over their gifts. Yes, some of the kids cry when they see their siblings or cousins get more exciting gifts than they did. All these add to the fun and joy of the occasion.
For us adults, it’s not the gifts that matter, but the chance to bond and catch up with one another’s news. Conversations often revolve around the maintenance meds we take, the diet restrictions we have, the preparations we made for retirement and so on. And when we talk about retirement, we inevitably speak about social-security protection. Fortunately, most of us have contributed enough number of years to qualify to lifetime pensions and had set aside some modest nest eggs to see us through, barring catastrophic medical emergencies.
Thinking about the future suddenly made me realize that there is a gift that all of us want: peace of mind. Freedom from worries on how to get by when contingencies take place.
The Social Security System (SSS) gives the assurance of providing financial assistance to its members in times of contingencies, such as sickness, child birth, disability, old-age and death. The right to benefits is assured by the number of contributions that a member has paid as provided under the law. There is no “means” or “needs” testing required unlike in other social-security institutions in the country and around the world.
If a pensioner-member is survived by his or her legitimate spouse, the spouse gets 100 percent of the basic pension for life as long as he or she does not remarry. If he or she has no primary beneficiaries, his or her pension is guaranteed for five years, i.e., the number of months’ worth of pension remaining of the five-year period will be paid to his legal heirs. While the cash benefits might not be enough to pay today’s prices, members get 10 to 20 times more than what they paid for in contributions.
Hence, to employed workers (in the private sector), self-employed and voluntary persons (overseas workers and nonworking spouses of SSS members), the best gift that you can give yourselves this Christmas is a membership to the SSS, the gift of peace of mind.
Merry Christmas to one and all. May peace reign in our hearts and homes.
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For more information about the Social Security System (SSS) and its programs, call our 24-hour call center at (632) 920-6446 to 55, Monday to Friday, or send an e-mail to member_relations@sss.gov.ph.
Susie G. Bugante is the vice president for public affairs and special events of the SSS. Send comments about this column to susiebugante.bmirror@gmail.com.