SSS registers over 3,000 new members

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY --- Over 3,000 residents of Albay are expected to benefit from the government’s social protection services as new registered Social Security System (SSS) members.

Jeanette Mapa, SSS Legazpi communications officer, said a total of 3,297 new members were registered and issued with their social security (SS) number as part of the intensified campaign for inclusive and wider security protection coverage.

This includes the regionwide onsite registration activities from June 14 – July 15. About 10,000 residents from Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate were registered as new SSS members.

The last day culminated in the nationwide registration day. In Albay, it was held at the Camalig Municipal Hall and Ligao City Pavillion.

Moreover, Mapa clarified that the issuance of SS number does not immediately qualify the members for coverage or benefits.

“Our members must first pay the contributions as savings for the future and basis for the granting of social security benefits in times of contingencies,” she said.

SSS benefits and privileges

SSS Luzon Bicol Division Vice President Elenita Samblero said the nationwide activity was conducted in various areas in the country to personally reach out and bring their services closer to the public.

“There is an agency that can answer their needs in time of contingencies, like SSS. As a member, the purpose is for security. We give benefits starting from womb to tomb. After birth, we have maternity benefits. There are also benefits for sickness, retirement, death, and funeral,” Samblero said.

Aside from the benefits, being an SSS member also comes with privileges.

“This includes salary loans and calamity loans. Those members na natanggal sa trabaho dahil nagkaproblema ang kompanya nila, they can apply for unemployment benefit. Ito po, di na kailangan bayaran unlike sa loans,” she said.

(Members who were laid off from work due to problems in their company can also apply for the unemployment benefit. There’s no need to pay this unlike the loan.)

Employed SSS members who want added savings and a bigger pension upon retirement can also pay a separate contribution for the MySSS Pension booster.

“For SSS contribution, you are merely paying for the benefits but if you have an SSS pension booster, you will have an additional lump sum pension paid one- time aside from the retirement benefit. Minimum contribution is P500,” Elenita said.

She further urged the youth and young professionals to start saving as SSS members.

“Our young people can learn to save this early through the SSS. Definitely the longer they become SSS members, the more beneficial on their part. If you start now, it’s a big relief especially that you get used to saving,” Elenita said.

Aside from SSS registration and issuance of SS numbers, other services such as application for salary and pension loans and benefit claims, updating of records, and other online services were also brought closer to the public.

Gina Balingbing, LGU Ligao information officer, expressed her gratefulness as one of its beneficiaries.

“I was able to know and update the status of my remittance and monthly deductions from my previous employment several years ago in private institutions. This is a big help for us since we don’t have to spend on transportation and food in going to their Legazpi office,” she said. (PIA5/Albay)

SSS Legazpi and Tabaco joined the nationwide SSS Registration Day on July 15 at the Camalig Municipal Hall and Ligao City Pavillion. (PIA Albay photo)