State-run Social Security System (SSS) has amended the guidelines on the temporary suspension of the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP) following the imposed quarantine measures due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

Under the amended guidelines, SSS President and CEO Aurora Ignacio said pensioners who have not complied with the ACOP for calendar year 2020, covering birth months from January up to the end of the community quarantine, will continue to receive monthly pensions until the following month of the last day of quarantine.

"Despite the gradual easing of community quarantine restrictions, we have decided to err on the side of caution and extend the temporary ACOP suspension. The health and safety of our members and pensioners remain our top concern," Ignacio said.

She said that once all quarantine restrictions have been lifted, the pensioners will be given 60 days to comply with the ACOP requirement. 

Should they fail to comply within the given period, only then will their monthly pensions be suspended, she added.

Ignacio pointed out that verification processes or activities are continuously being implemented by the SSS for pensioners residing in the Philippines.

Pensioners whose pensions were already "suspended due to non-compliance with the ACOP" before the community quarantine will be given an online option to comply.

They may file their ACOP compliance by submitting a duly accomplished ACOP form, which is downloadable at the SSS website, with photocopies of their identification cards or documents.

For those residing abroad, they may send the documents through email at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph or to the corporate email of the SSS foreign office in the area. For those residing in the Philippines, they may send them at member_relations@sss.gov.ph or the corporate email of the SSS branch concerned.

Pensioners residing in the Philippines may also submit their ACOP compliance through a representative or personally, if possible, at SSS drop boxes located in its branches nationwide.

The SSS reminds the transacting public to follow the government's minimum public health standards to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The ACOP is a program launched in 2012 that requires pensioners to annually report to the SSS to ensure the continuous payment of their benefits under the Social Security Law.

Prior to the pandemic, ACOP compliance must be done by retiree pensioners residing abroad and total disability pensioners on their birth month, while dependents are required to do so on the birth month of the deceased member.