QUEZON CITY | The Social Security System (SSS) marked its 69th anniversary on September 2 with a renewed commitment to strengthen social protection, expand services and maintain the long-term financial sustainability of the pension fund.
Under the theme “Bawat Isa Protektado, Bawat Bukas Sigurado,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. de Claro highlighted the agency’s latest programs and financial performance during an anniversary press conference at the SSS Main Office in Quezon City.
From January to July 2026, SSS released ₱205.56 billion in benefits to members, pensioners and beneficiaries. Retirement and death benefits accounted for the largest portion at ₱180.86 billion, including ₱110.83 billion for regular pensioners and ₱43.89 billion for survivor pensioners.
The agency is also implementing its first multi-year Pension Reform Program, which provides annual pension increases from 2025 to 2027. For 2026, retirement and disability pensioners received a 10% increase, while death and survivor pensioners received a 5% increase. About ₱6 billion in additional pension benefits had been released by July.
SSS said member contributions reached ₱235.33 billion during the first seven months of the year, while its investment portfolio stood at ₱1.29 trillion as of July. The figures are part of the agency’s efforts to maintain sufficient funds for present and future benefit obligations.
The agency has likewise expanded financial assistance. Its Enhanced Emergency Loan Program allows qualified members to borrow up to ₱20,000 at 7% annual interest, with a six-month repayment moratorium. SSS has also introduced the digital SSS LoanLite program through partner financial institutions.
As of July, SSS had 44.25 million covered members, more than one million active employers, 292 local offices and 30 foreign offices. It is also expanding retirement savings through the Mandatory Provident Fund and Pension Booster programs.
The agency is preparing additional programs, including an Energy Sustainability Loan that would allow qualified members with Mandatory Provident Fund accounts to borrow up to ₱400,000 for home solar panel installations, payable over seven years at 6% annual interest.
SSS was established on September 1, 1957, under Republic Act No. 1161, or the Social Security Act of 1954. Its original coverage and benefits have expanded substantially over the decades, with Republic Act No. 8282, the Social Security Act of 1997, further strengthening the system and providing for government responsibility for its solvency.
As SSS approaches its 70th year, the agency said it will continue expanding coverage and digital services while strengthening its financial foundation to provide social security protection to Filipino workers, pensioners and their families.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
