With modern technology, it is now possible for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners to comply with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (Acop) program wherever they are in the world. The Acop is the SSS’s way of ensuring that the rightful beneficiary continues to enjoy his or her pension benefit by making an appearance once a year during his or her birth month at the nearest SSS branch or at his or her depository bank.
For pensioners living or residing abroad, it could be very difficult to comply with this requirement. Thankfully, there is Skype, a free application that enables anyone to do video calls for free. Using Skype, SSS pensioners abroad can now comply with Acop through videoconference.
During the birth month of the retiree pensioner or the deceased member, in the case of the death- pension beneficiary, the pensioner living abroad must first make an appointment for a voice conference by sending an e-mail to ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph or to member_relations@sss.gov.ph indicating “Skype (ACOP), pensioner’s name and SS number” as the subject of the e-mail. The pensioner should have a Skype account and provide the account information to the SSS.
Among the other pieces of information to be provided in the e-mail should include retiree pensioner’s or deceased member’s name; social-security number; date of birth; guardian’s name, if retiree or death beneficiary is incapacitated; dependent’s name, if any; contact information (e-mail address, mobile number and landline); complete address (local and abroad); user name to be used in videoconference; and preferred schedule of videoconference, based on Philippine time (Monday to Friday, from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m.).
An e-mail will be sent back to the pensioner confirming the appointment for the Acop voice conference together with a reference number. On the appointed date and time, an SSS agent will make a video call during which time, the pensioner must present the reference number and valid IDs. After the videoconference, the pensioner will receive an e-mail confirming his or her compliance with the Acop.
The identification documents that the pensioner must present during the videoconference may be any of the following: SSS unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card; or passport; or any two valid IDs issued by the host country governmental unit showing the photo and signature of the pensioner.
Indeed, it is a lot easier now for pensioners living abroad to comply with the Acop. Through online videoconferencing, they can transact with the SSS right at the comfort of their homes!
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For more details on SSS programs, members can drop by the nearest SSS branch, visit the SSS web site (www.sss.gov.ph), or contact the SSS call center at 920-6446 to 55, which accepts calls from 7 a.m. on Mondays all the way to 7 a.m. on Saturdays.
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.
8 comments
Reason, video call ofw seaman Date available weekend if posible sat. And sun… Subject Acop_marife A. Ouano SSS#33-3484369-7… Death claim
Reason, need report to my SSS pension everymonth
request video call for annual confirmation
Request po ng video call via skype for annual confirmation
report as sss spouse working oversees
Good day po. Sir/ madam
Nais ko lng po malaman bkt po nahold ang aking pension..nag acop po aq bgo aq umalis ng bansa…ksalukuyan nand2 po aq sa alfaisaliah dammam nagtratrabaho bilang kasambahay..sabi po sa sss pinalitan po ng guardian..panu po mangyayari wla nman aq pinirmahan na anuman papeles pra ilipat sa aking byenan ang guardian ng aking mga anak…saka hiniram nila mga anak ko..tas ngaun pati pension ay aangkinin nila..hndi po aq papayag..nais ko po magawan ng aksyon..
Goodday maam/sir,
Tanong kolang po sana dito po ako sa saudi ngwowork bilang kasambahay tanong kolang po maam kong paano po ako makakacomply for my pension sa asawa ko nakailang send na po ako ng email pero wala paring comply ang sss tapos ipanafollow up ko sa kapatid k sa province may nkausap ako isa sa kanila na ngwowork sa sss bkit hindi nlang po nila inaccept na nkita nman po nila ako sa vc na ngreport bkit kong saan saan pa po ako tinutulak na website para lang mgcomply ehh..sss branch na pi mismo nkausap ko kong saan ako ngpepension please maam pagtuunan nyo nman po ng pansin ung complaint ko
Nais ko pong mag skype schedule for my Acop for 2020 sa Marso 2, alas 8 ng umaga Manila time. Ako po si efren Concepcion with sss no. 03-4471950-7.Salamat po.