By Chino S. Leyco
State-run Social Security System (SSS) is strongly urging its self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) members to pay their monthly contributions or loan repayments online for safer, faster and efficient transactions.
In a statement, Aurora C. Ignacio, SSS president and chief executive, said some members were failing to pay contribution or loan payments on time due to their busy schedules that resulted in penalties and eligibility for benefit claims.
For this reason, Ignacio said "we encourage our members to pay their contributions and loans online to avoid these problems and have a safer and more convenient means of settling their obligations with SSS.”
Aside from paying over the counter in SSS branches, self-employed, voluntary, and OFW members may pay online through BancNet online, UnionBank online, and Globe's GCash facility on or before the due date.
She noted that online payment transactions save time, money, and energy than paying over the counter in SSS branches.
SSS members who are ATM cardholders of a participating BancNet member can just pay their contributions through BancNet Online at www.bancnetonline.com with no required registration, no transaction fees, and no extra charges.
SSS members, who have accounts with UnionBank, may pay online via SSS Hub at their www.unionbankph.com website.
Meanwhile, SSS members who are Globe or Touch Mobile prepaid users and postpaid subscribers may pay their contributions using Globe's GCash facility.
It is a free mobile application that allows members to pay their SSS contributions, salary loans, and real estate loans. OFW members may also pay for their Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) Fund contributions using the GCash App.
SSS members and employers may simply register either by downloading the GCash app or dialing *143# to access the self-service menu using their Globe or TM mobile numbers.
Out of the 16.4 million paying members for the period January to September 2019, only a few use the online payment transactions.