Health protocols being implemented by the government these days have limited our personal meetings, socialization and conversations to the use of Zoom, Google Meet, MS Teams and other digital platforms.
We have embraced modern technology amid the pandemic that we now conduct our transactions online, especially in the payment of bills and other services.
While this is good for most of us, I was disappointed to learn that there are some people who take advantage of retirees who are not exposed to social media and online platforms, that they charge fees in exchange of helping the retirees to register or apply for benefits or loans online with SSS.
I would like to emphasize here that SSS does not charge any payment for its services except when you have to re-apply for a Unified Multi-Purpose ID card. Promoting our digitalization services is indeed one of our significant contributions to society and to our members and pensioners amid the pandemic situation. This is what our campaign, expreSSS, is all about—faster, easier and simpler transactions—which we launched in September 2020 during our 63rd Anniversary.
How do you register online? First, you need to access the SSS web site, www.sss.gov.ph.
We made sure that the SSS portal is user-friendly and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Second, click on the portal that corresponds to your type of membership, whether as member or as employer, and supply the needed details. SSS members, employers, and pensioners may also access their social security records through the SSS mobile app that can be downloaded from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Huawei App Gallery, by using their My.SSS account’s user ID and password.
Through the My.SSS app and SSS web site, a member can also access and view his/her membership information, contributions, salary loan balance, and benefit claim applications status. Likewise, updating member contact information and submitting your salary loan application and maternity notification may be done as well.
Should you need help in registering or filing your benefits, claims, or loans through the SSS app or My.SSS account, better solicit help from people whom you trust. The SSS shall not be held accountable if the member or pensioner is found to have connived with a fixer.
During these days when connecting to social media is the new norm, you may follow SSS in “Philippine Social Security System” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, “mysssphilippines” on YouTube, and “MYSSSPH Updates” on Viber. SSS hotline numbers are also made available by calling 1455 or 1-800-10-2255-777 (toll-free), or send an e-mail to member_relations@sss.gov.ph for general inquiries, onlineserviceassistance@sss.gov.ph for electronic facilities and web-related inquiries, PRNHelpline@sss.gov.ph for PRN generation and technical support, and ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph for OFW Contact Service Unit.
There are about 10 million SSS members, and 325,636 pensioners who are enrolled in the My.SSS portal, as of February 2021.
Because of this large number, we are taking all necessary actions to make sure that we maintain the high level of safety and security of all members’ digital records, and will never give them to unsecured sites and organizations. This is in compliance with Republic Act 10173, or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.”
If any of our members or pensioners encounter these online scammers and fixers, we highly encourage them to report these incidents to the Special Investigation Department by sending an e-mail at fid@sss.gov.ph because this is a clear violation of Section 17 of Republic Act 11199 or the “Social Security Act of 1997” and RA 11032, or the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.”
SSS is taking the necessary steps to make sure that the members and pensioners can reach us anytime, anywhere. Just ignore or say no to these online scammers and fixers.
We at SSS highly discourage our members, retirees, and pensioners to seek the services or assistance of possible scammers in registering for My.SSS and for filing of loans and benefits because this may pose a security threat to their SSS account. Would you hand over your password and personal details to a stranger? We’re sure you won’t.
Always be vigilant in keeping your data and passwords for all your online accounts safe and secure. Because we, here at SSS, are also vigilant in doing so.
Have a productive week ahead!
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.