SSS Retirement Benefits – How Much Is SSS Retirement Benefit

The Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines provides a Retirement Benefit to members who can no longer work due to old age. This benefit is offered either as a monthly pension or a lump sum amount, depending on the member’s total contributions and age at retirement. To qualify, members must meet specific age and contribution requirements. The SSS Retirement Benefit aims to ensure financial security for retirees, allowing them to maintain a stable income during their retirement years.

The Social Security System (SSS) Retirement Benefits is a vital financial support mechanism for Filipino workers transitioning into retirement. Designed to provide continuous income, it ensures that members maintain financial stability after concluding their active employment years.

Types of SSS Retirement Benefits

SSS offers two primary types of retirement benefits:

1. Monthly Pension: This is a lifetime cash benefit disbursed monthly to retirees who have contributed at least 120 months to the SSS before the semester of their retirement. The pension amount is calculated based on the member’s paid contributions, credited years of service, and the number of dependent minor children, with a cap of five.
2. Lump Sum Benefit: A one-time payment granted to retirees who haven’t met the required 120 monthly contributions. The lump sum is equivalent to the total contributions paid by the member and their employers, plus interest.

1. The member must have paid at least one hundred twenty (120) monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement; and

A. Has reached the age of sixty (60) and is no longer employed or self-employed, except:

• An underground mineworker (R.A. No. 8558) must be at least 55 years old as of 13 March 1998; and
• Underground or surface mineworkers (R.A. No. 10757), at least fifty (50) years of age as of 27 April 2016; or

B. At least sixty-five (65) years of age, except:

• If you are an underground mineworker effective 13 March 1998 (R.A. 19858) or a surface mineworker effective 27 April 2016 (R.A. 10757), at least sixty (60) years of age, and a member of the union, you qualify for this program.
• For racehorse jockeys (R.A. No. 10789), 55 years of age or older as of 24 May 2016.

2. A former retiree-pensioner whose monthly pension was suspended due to re-employment or self-employment, and who is now separated from employment or has ceased to be self-employed.

Here are some benefits

Lump Sum Benefits

If the member has reached the age of 60 (or 50 if they are underground or surface miners) for optional retirement or 65 (or 60 years if they are underground or surface miners; 55 years if they are racehorses jockeys) for technical retirement but has made fewer than 120 monthly payments.

When a member files for retirement benefits and has paid less than 120 monthly contributions, he or she will be given the option to continue paying the contributions as a VM for the remainder of the 120 months to be able to take advantage of the full pension benefits.

Monthly Pension

If a member meets the qualifications, the amount of the monthly pension will be the highest result of the following formula:

• 300 + (20% x AMSC*) + (2% x AMSC) x (CYS** – 10); or
• 40% x AMSC; or

Minimum pension (P1,200 for those with 10 or more CYS or P2,400 for those with at least 20 CYS).

• AMSC (Average Monthly Salary Credit)
• CYS (Credited Years of Service)

Read also: SSS Pension Calculator – How to Use the SSS Pension Calculator

Payment mode

A retiree’s retirement benefits, whether in the form of a monthly pension or a lump sum amount, shall be credited to the member’s Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card that is set up as an ATM card. Those without UMID cards enrolled as ATMs will have their retirement benefit credited to their preferred disbursement account via the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) under the E-Services menu on My.SSS.

NOTE: In the absence of a DAEM-enrolled UMID card for ATM use, members are required to enroll a disbursement account in the My.SSS Portal prior to filing for a retirement benefit claim (either online or in person).

18 Months Pension in Advance

A member can receive in advance the first 18 monthly pensions in lump sums, discounted at a preferential interest rate determined by SSS. When filing the initial retirement claim, the option should be exercised.

When the member is confined in a penitentiary, correctional institution, or rehabilitation center, a check will be issued for the monthly pension or lump sum benefit.

A possible deduction from retirement benefits

• Unpaid short-term member loans of members claiming retirement benefits, regardless of whether the payment term has expired as of contingency date, shall be deducted in full from the proceeds of the benefit payments. A contingency date shall be the cutoff date for charging interest and penalties.
• An amount of settled unemployment benefits may be deducted either partially or fully from a member’s retirement benefits in the following situations:

i. If the involuntarily separated employee files a complaint or case against his/her employer, the final and executory resolution will show:

• That substantive and procedural due process was followed in terminating employment for any of the just causes listed in Article 297 (282) of P.D. No. 442 or the Philippines Labor Code, as amended; or
• A re-instatement of the involuntarily separated employee with back wages was the result of the case/complaint; and

ii. The employee is rehired or re-employed within the compensable period, or within two (2) months following the involuntary separation date.

• The proceeds from overlapping sickness and partial disability benefits shall be deducted from the proceeds of the payments.
• The amount of overpaid pension due to the death, employment or marriage of a dependent is deducted from the pension each month.

Other benefits

A retiree is entitled to a 13th month’s pension, which is paid every December. The retirement pensioners will receive an additional P1,000 benefit on top of their monthly pension as of January 1, 2017.

Dependents’ pension

A retired member’s dependent children are entitled to Dependent’s Pension, which equals ten percent (10%) of their monthly pension, or P250, whichever is greater. Each dependent child conceived or legally adopted on or before the date of retirement of the member will receive a payment, up to a maximum of five (5) children starting with the youngest and without substitution.

As dependent children, the following should be considered:

• Child who is legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, or illegitimate
• Unmarried;
• No gainful employment; and

Whether the person has not reached the age of 21 or if the person has reached the age of 21, he/she is congenitally incapacitated or while still a minor, was permanently incapacitated and incapable of self-support, either physically or mentally.

Those children who have entered into a common-law relationship and have not reached the age of 18, but have not yet turned 18. However, once the child reaches age 18, he or she should no longer be entitled to receive dependent’s pensions.

In cases where there are five (5) or more dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate children, the dependent legitimate, legitimated and legally adopted children shall be given priority.

If there are fewer than 5 legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted children, illegitimate children shall be considered as part of the maximum 5 dependents.

A dependent child’s pension will cease once the dependent child:

• Dies;
• A minor who reaches 21 years of age, unless congenitally incapacitated; or a minor who becomes physically or mentally incapacitated and unable to support themselves;
• Employed in a gainful capacity;
• Marries;
• The individual enters into a common-law relationship once he or she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years;
• In a common-law relationship, the individual attains the age of eighteen (18).

“Gainfully employed” refers to one who is employed/self-employed (SE) if he/she renders regular work and receives compensation or derives income for at least six (6) continuous months in any given year, as indicated in the member’s contribution records/Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP), or based on findings.

The suspended dependent pensions of gainfully employed dependents may be resumed if the dependent has proven that indeed, she or he has been separated from employment, or that she is no longer an SE, and as long as they are unmarried and have not reached the age of 21; or if they are over 21, they are congenitally incapacitated, or they have been permanently incapacitated and unable to sustain themselves physically or mentally while still a minor.

All qualified employee members, self-employed members (SEs), voluntary members (VMs) and land-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) members are required to file their retirement benefit claims online through the My.SSS portal in accordance with Circular No. 2021-021 dated 28 December 2021.

Special Cases for Over-the-Counter (OTC) Filing

If the member meets the following conditions, he or she may submit an OTC claim:

• The member has a dependent child or children;
• A member who is incapacitated or under guardianship, or is confined in an applicable institution, such as a penitentiary, a correctional facility, or a rehabilitation facility;
• The member is applying under the Portability Act or a bilateral social security agreement; or
• There is an outstanding balance on the member’s Stock Investment Loan Program (SILP), Privatization Loan Program, Education Loan, and Vocational Technology Loan. The outstanding loan balance shall be for salary/calamity or the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP).

OTC Filing Prerequisites for Members-Claimants

• The SSS website must be registered; and
• The applicant must already have an approved disbursement account with SSS, which may be accessed through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) on the SSS website.

Note: For members confined to an applicable institution, none of the prerequisites above will be required.

Please provide the original as well as a photocopy of a valid ID card/document for authentication purposes and also provide the original/certified true copy of supporting documents, as well as the photocopy of supporting documentation:

REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC DOCUMENTATION

Note: If you wish to submit an original, certified true copy and a photocopy of your valid identification cards/documents for authentication purposes, you will need to present your original/certified true copy with your application submission.

• The Retirement Claim Application (RCA) or the Portability Claim Application, if applicable (1 original copy).
• If the member/guardian has not yet been issued a UMID card, a photo and signature card must be provided (1 copy, original).
• Provide proof of disbursement in one of the following forms:

• PESONet bank account through any participating bank

• Passbook
• Name and account number on ATM cards
• A valid deposit slip
• Certificate/statement of bank issued within three (3) months of filing

• Maya or GCash are electronic wallets
• Pick-up arrangement with Remittance Transfer Companies (RTCs) and Cash Payout Outlets (CPOs)

• Identification cards/documents of members (1 copy, original)

Primary identification cards shall consist of UMID Cards (SSS/GSIS) and other government-issued identification documents with photo, signature and biometric data capture, including but not limited to:

• Card for Social Security (SS)
• PhilID (Philippine Identification)
• Certificate of Registration for Alien
• License for driving
• Registration of firearms
• Licence to Own and Possess a Firearm
• NBI clearance
• Passport
• Firearms Carrying Permit Outside the Residence
• New postal ID
• Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book
• A voter’s identification card (Seaman’s Book)

Note: The member shall present/submit at least two (2) ID cards/documents, one (1) with a photo and the other (1) with a signature in the absence of a primary ID card/document.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, if applicable:

A member must be at least 60 years old but no older than 65 years old

For employed/household helper

• The last employer’s certificate of separation or all employers’ certificates (if you have worked for multiple employers) (1 copy, a photocopy); or
• SSS Form: affidavit of separation from employment/cease of self-employment with undertaking, regardless of the status of the employer.
• Note: If a member has not made any contributions in the twelve (12) months prior to retirement, he or she will not need to submit a Certificate of Separation.

For Self-Employed (SE) Member

• The certificate of non-renewal for all of the members’ business permits/licenses issued by the appropriate government offices/transfer of ownership (e.g. Business Permit and Licensing Office) (1 copy, 1 photocopy); or
• A certificate of cessation of business issued by the duly elected Barangay Official where the business or residence was located (1 copy, one photocopy); or
• SSS Form: Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment, together with a Certification of Discontinuance of Employment

For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), Voluntary Member (VM) and Technical Retirement

• A proof of separation from employment, cessation of business, termination of contract, or inactivity is not required in order to apply.

For members of a Cooperative or registered Association (e.g. TODA, Card Inc., market vendors association)

• SSS Form: Affidavit for Separation from Employment or for Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking; or
• The certificate of termination of membership must be signed by the authorized representative of the company or the signatories on the Specimen Signature Card of the cooperative.

If the member is an Underground/Surface Mineworker

• The employer’s certification that the member was employed underground/surface mining, indicating the period of employment and the job description (photocopy or original);
• An affidavit signed by two (2) co-workers attesting that the applicant was an underground/surface mineworker, detailing the period of employment and job description.

Additional requirements if underground/surface mineworker is 50 years old, but under 60 years old (for retirement date no earlier than 27 April 2016) or 55 years old, but not yet 60 years old (for actual retirement date before 27 April 2016), depending on the last coverage status of the member:

• Certificate of separation from the last employer; or from all employers (if you have had multiple employers) (1 copy, photocopy); or
• SSS Form: Affidavit of Separation from Employment/Cessation of Self-employment with Undertaking, regardless of the status of the employer
• The certificate of non-renewal for all member’s business permits and licenses issued by the appropriate government offices, or the certificate of transfer of ownership (1 copy, a photocopy); or
• A certificate of cessation of business from the municipality/non-renewal of business from the appropriate government office (1 copy, photocopy)

If the member is a racehorse jockey,

• Certification stating that the member has provided evidence of his employment as a racehorse jockey by an employer who must be duly licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) indicating the duration of the employee’s employment.

OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

If filed by an authorized representative

• One (1) of his or her original primary identification cards/documents or two (2) identification cards/documents, each with a signature and at least one (1) with a photograph;
• An original letter of authority (LOA) or special power of attorney (SPA) should be provided

LIST OF OTHER/ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

More than five (5) legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate children,

A copy of the birth certificate of any dependent child/ren duly registered with the LCR or issued by the PSA if the child/ren are not listed on the member’s Personal Record (E1/E4/RS1/OW1/NW1) or there is a discrepancy in the information.

A child born abroad with a dependent parent

If applicable, a Birth Certificate issued by a foreign government or a Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General must be submitted.

The marriage certificate of the member must be duly registered in the LCR or issued by the PSA if the spouse is not included in the member’s Personal Record (E1/E4/RS1/OW1/NW1) or if the information is inconsistent

If you are married abroad

The Philippine Embassy or Consulate General can issue a Marriage Certificate issued by a foreign government or a Report of Marriage issued by a foreign government

Note:

• The documents issued in a foreign country must be translated into English before they can be used. The Philippine Embassy or Consulate General does not require the authentication of the documents if they are duly received and signed by the Foreign Representative of the SSS, Foreign Office.
• In the case of retirement claims filed abroad, in the absence of the original/certified true copy, it may be possible to submit a copy of the supporting document/s that are translated into English, to be duly accepted and signed by the agent of the SSS abroad.

Addition Documents if member is incapacitated and under guardianship

A photo and signature card of the guardian, if the guardian does not already have a UMID card

• The medical certificate issued by his/her attending physician (with the license number and address of clinic) within three (3) months of the date of filing the guardianship claim confirmed/certified by the SSS Physical Examination Center medical specialist (PEC) within three (3) months of the filing date of the guardianship claim.
• Savings account in trust
• Affidavit of Guardianship for Incompetent Pensioner, if guardian is spouse
• The Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form, if there is no legal spouse as guardian

Absent a marriage certificate

• Obtain a certificate of non-availability from LCR/PSA or from a foreign government indicating that marriage records are intact in the office/agency concerned, but no marriage records are available for the requestor.
• Obtain a marriage certificate from your parish/church/ministry/congregation/sect/other religious organizations/local government/other person authorized to administer the marriage

A marriage certificate from a parish, church, ministry, congregation, sect, or other religious organization is not available

• A certification of non-availability from the parish, church, ministry, congregation, sect, or other religious organization;
• The affidavit/certificate of the solemnizing officer should state the following, along with an authorization to administer marriage, if applicable:

• Marriage date
• Marriage place
• Non-registration reasons; and
• If applicable, authority to administer marriages.

A joint affidavit signed by two (2) witnesses to the marriage and the witness to the marriage

• Obtain a copy of the birth certificates of at least two children in which the name of the parents, the date and place of their marriage are listed (if applicable) on both documents.

If member is married abroad and has had a previous marriage in the Philippines, additional document is required

• Obtain a Certificate of Finality of Annulment/Nullity or an annotated Marriage Contract/Certificate.
• Prior to marriage abroad, the naturalization certificate must be obtained and the decree of divorce must be obtained after acquiring foreign citizenship, or an equivalent document.

An absence of a birth certificate

• Obtain certification of non-availability from LCR/PSA or from a foreign government; and
• A baptism/dedication certificate issued by the parish/church/ministry/congregation/sect/other religious organization (with the child’s date of birth and parents’ names)

When a baptismal/dedication certificate or its equivalent is not available

A certificate of non-availability from the parish, church, ministry, congregation, sect, or other religious organization; and

If the dependent’s name, date of birth, and parents’ names are indicated on any of the following documents:

• Card/record of dependent’s schooling
• Records of education, insurance, and health cards
• Records of member employment
• Records from Philhealth, GSIS, and Pag-IBIG
• Member’s Income Tax Return
• SSS received a member’s personal record before May 1997

Note:

• A baptismal/dedication certificate or its equivalent must carry the original signature of the Parish Priest/Head of the Church/Ministry/Congregation/Sect/Other Religious Organizations or his authorized representative.
• A dedication certificate may be issued by the Ministry/Congregation/Sect/other religious organizations in lieu of a baptismal certificate with the date of birth of the child and the names of the parents.

Legally adopted child/ren’s additional document and birth certificate don’t have annotations

• Certificate of Finality or Adoption Decree
• Note: The adoption date should be prior to the retirement date.

An additional document for an illegitimate child/children

Proof of filiation may include, but is not limited to:

• A birth certificate signed by the father as informant
• Affidavit of acknowledgement signed by the father with the birth certificate
• Will
• A statement made before a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding
• The father’s own authentic writing (e.g., letters, diaries, or other documents like school records)

Document if dependent child is incapacitated

Medical certificate issued by the attending physician (with license number and clinic address) within 3 months from the date of filing the claim for dependent’s pension, confirmed/certified by the Medical Specialist of PECs.

Add documents required if the child is under guardianship

• Account in trust for
• A member’s or claimant’s photo and signature card (for the guardian), if no UMID card has been issued to the guardian
• Dependent’s Pension Benefit Claim form, if guardian is the parent and legal spouse separated from the member
• If the guardian is not the parent, please complete the Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form.

Read also: SSS Pension Calculator – How to Use the SSS Pension Calculator

The following steps should be followed when filing an online claim for SSS retirement benefits:

• Visit the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph to log into My.SSS account.
• Select the Member Account option.
• Select Submit Retirement Claim Application from the E-Services page.
• Provide the date of the covered employee’s separation.
• Verify the accuracy of the address, contact information, employment history, and other personal information. Next, check if you qualify for a retirement benefit.
• Provide answers to the questions about having dependent children and working in the mining industry.
• If you are eligible for the deposit, the funds will be deposited into the UMID-ATM or the bank account listed on the Bank Enrollment Module.

Prior to filing a retirement claim with SSS, members should also ensure the following:

• They do not have any canceled Social Security numbers
• They do not have more than one Social Security number
• They have no dependents

The following loans do not have any outstanding balances:

• Program for Privatization Fund Loans
• Program for Stock Investment Loans
• Loan program for vocational technology or education

Note: This program only applies to calamity loans or unpaid SSS salaries, including salary loans taken out through the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program.

A maximum monthly pension of ₱20,300 will be paid by the Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines as of 2025. As far as the retiree is concerned, this is for retirees who contributed at the highest rate of salary credit during their working years.

Factors that affect SSS pension

• Contributions: Pension payments are determined in part by contributions made by the retiree.
• Years of service: The number of years of service a retiree has is an important consideration in determining their pension.
• Salary credit: The pension is calculated using the average monthly salary credit (AMSC)

Note: A pension loan is also available from the SSS, with a maximum loan amount of ₱200,000.

In response to the evolving needs of retirees, the SSS has introduced several enhancements:

• Pension Increase: As of 2025, the SSS announced a pension increase ranging from 14.5% to 15%. This adjustment aims to align the pension benefits with the rising cost of living and inflation rates.
• MySSS Pension Booster: Launched in June 2024, this program offers a 7.2% annual rate of return, allowing members to augment their retirement savings. It comprises both mandatory and voluntary schemes, providing flexibility for members to enhance their pension benefits.

How much is the SSS retirement benefit?

Ans: When a member qualifies, the amount of his or her monthly pension is determined by the formula below: 300 + (20% x AMSC*) + (2% x AMSC) x (CYS** – 10); Or, 40% x AMSC. Minimum pension (P1,200 if you have at least 10 CYS or P2,400 if you have at least 20 CYS).

How can I check my SSS retirement benefits?

Ans: To check the status of your retirement benefit, you can visit and register in our My.SSS Portal at www.sss.gov.ph. If you have other concerns or questions, you can visit our uSSSap Tayo CRMS Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph.

How do I claim my SSS retirement benefits?

Ans: All they need to do is log in to My.SSS, click Apply for Retirement Benefit under the E-Services tab, provide the necessary information, and submit the required supporting documentation,” Regino explained.

The SSS Retirement Benefit ensures financial stability for retirees by providing either a monthly pension or a lump sum payment, depending on contributions and age. It supports members who meet the eligibility criteria, offering additional benefits such as a 13th-month pension and dependent’s pension. The application process is streamlined through the My.SSS portal, ensuring accessibility. Ultimately, the SSS Retirement Benefit provides essential financial security for Filipino workers in their later years.