Prior to one’s retirement in the private sector, it is very important to check all your records with your company, most especially with SSS.
Years ago, I remember a close friend who consulted me in one of our get-together with other colleagues from the banking industry. After working for almost 35 years, she discovered that her name was different from what was on her birth certificate. Not only that, she realized that her birth year was also different from the birth year that she had been using in her school, employment and travel records.
Back in the 1980s, I still recall that the process in applying and assigning SS numbers were done manually. Before, employers had the authority to assign SS numbers too. I still remember my Personal Data Record (E-1) where my SS number was just handwritten, and this was done until the early 1990s when some of my nieces also applied with SSS and got handwritten entries to their respective SS numbers.
Generally, SSS was not strict during those years regarding the submission of basic documents such as birth certificates. We have observed, too, that most members during those times have discrepancies in their declared names and birthdates, which contribute to delays in the processing of loans and benefit claims. We have to confirm on our end the legitimacy of the declared name and birth year of SSS members, especially if it concerns final benefit claims such as Retirement, Total Disability and Death.
Current members and retirees are indeed fortunate since this is the generation where majority of all SSS transactions are done online. They can now easily view their information via their My.SSS accounts, in the convenience of their homes or offices without visiting any of our branch offices just for the purpose of checking if their records are accurate.
Particular records that they have to verify for updating, change or correction are usually the following: Name (First, Middle, Last), Date of Birth, Membership Type and Membership Status, Marital Status, Gender, Beneficiaries (Spouse, Children, others), Contact Information (Address, Telephone/Mobile Number, E-mail Address), and Bank Information. To make the changes, they need to fill out the Member Data Change Request Form (SS Form E-4), which can be secured from any SSS branch or can be downloaded from the SSS web site (www.sss.gov.ph).
The documentary requirements, which shall be submitted with the request form, vary according to the particular record to be updated or corrected, except for a copy of UMID or SSS ID Card or any two valid IDs for proper identification of account ownership.
For Change of Name and/or Correction of Date of Birth, members must submit their Birth Certificate or Passport, or in their absence, Certificate of Non-Availability of Birth Records from the City or Municipal Civil Registrar or Philippine Statistics Authority or National Archives and any two ID cards both with signature and one with photo or Documents at least one with date of birth. However, for change of membership type, there is no required documents for the change to Self-Employed or Voluntary. This will only apply if the change pertains to Non-Working Spouse, where they need to submit their Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate and working spouse’s consent.
For basic updating of membership status from “Temporary to Permanent,” they need to submit their Birth Certificate and, in its absence, Certificate of Non-Availability of Birth Records from the City or Municipal Civil Registrar or Philippine Statistics Authority and Baptismal Certificate or Driver’s License, or Passport, or PRC Card or Seaman’s Book, and in the absence of these ID cards, any two ID cards both with signature and one with photo or Documents both with the correct name and at least one with date of birth.
In cases where change of Marital or Civil Status from Single to Married is required, they have to submit their Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate; from Married to Legally Separated, they need to submit a Decree of Legal Separation; from Married to Widowed, submission of Death Certificate of spouse or Court Order on the Declaration of Presumptive Death of spouse.
For those with Correction of Sex or Gender, they have to submit their Birth Certificate, or Passport, or Copy of their SSS Personal Record where the correct gender is indicated, or Court Order granting petition for correction of gender if with erroneous entry of gender in the birth certificate, whichever is applicable.
Lastly, for Updating of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, they need to submit their Marriage Contract/Marriage Certificate if the Spouse is to be added, and Birth Certificate or Baptismal Certificate in case a child is to be reported. For the Deletion of previously reported Spouse, they have to submit a Decree of Legal Separation, if legally separated; Death Certificate, if due to the death of a spouse; Certificate of Finality of Annulment or Annotated Marriage Contract/Certificate, if due to annulled or void marriage.
There is no required document, however, for the Updating of Contact Information as this can be done thru the SSS Mobile App and via the member’s My.SSS account in the SSS website.
As we are still facing the threats of the Covid-19 pandemic, we advise our members to submit their Member Data Change Request Form together with their applicable required documents and IDs through our Drop Box System located in our branches nationwide. They must place the documents in a sealed envelope with their name, contact information and transaction details written outside. Notification will be done based on their given contact information and branch appointment schedule.
To our dear SSS members, I say, act now! Do verify your records; do not wait when it’s already time for you to file your applications. It is important to have an updated and correct record as this assures you a faster and hassle-free processing of loan and benefit applications.
Going back to the case of my friend, she had learned her lesson since the old adage “daig ng maagap ang masipag” rightfully applies to her. She also told me that it should have been her motto years ago, and I totally agree.
Have a great day!
Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.
We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss.gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.
8 comments
Good day mam/sir checked ko land po complete pa bang na hulogan sss ko from may company
Paano koh bah marecover u use id at passwork sa sss po
Ma’am paano ma activate ang sim # new sa sss
good day po mag papa correct po sana ng date of birth at mag pa de activate ng other number of sss
Hello po pano po magpabago ng benifeciares tpos po lalagay ko po name ng baby ko sa sss ko kailangan po ba sa sss outlet or pwde sa account po
Tanungin ko lang po….paano po Kaya ipabalik Yung last letter ng middle name ko sa dati?pinabago ko Po KC tas nalaman ko Po n Yung dating nkaregister Na last letter yun po Yung nkarehistro sa birtcertificate ko..kailangan ko Po b ulit mgpaaffidavit?
PWEDE PO BA MAG-UPDATE NG BENEFICIARIES THROUGH ONLINE?
Paano po i correct ang sss name po