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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SSS: Self-employed, voluntary membership increase by 20.2%

SSS: Self-employed, voluntary membership increase by 20.2%

Published Jul 21, 2021 03:02 pm

The number of self-employed and voluntary members (SEVM) of the Social Security System (SSS) increased by 20.2 percent to 8.43 million as of May 2021.

(Photo from Unsplash)

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said Monday that the double-digit jump in voluntary SEVM is a clear indicator that more individuals now recognize the value of SSS coverage, particularly the benefits and privileges of the pension fund offers during these challenging times.

“While mobility is affected as a result of community quarantines and lockdowns, the pandemic did not stop SSS in its campaign for universal coverage, especially for those in the informal sector. We made sure that our online facilities—particularly our social media accounts, online seminar sessions, and e-learning portal—remained active and widely accessible to continuously inform the public and our members that social security protection is an affordable investment and savings option during this pandemic and in the future,” Ignacio said.

Of the 40.52 million total covered SSS members as of May 2021, about 8.3 percent or 3.36 million are self-employed, while 12.5 percent of 5.07 million are voluntary members.

“It is also important for SSS to focus our promotion to self-employed professionals and non-working spouses who are not yet SSS members, as well as employees who were separated from employment so that they can benefit from social protection," Ignacio said.

"Being part of the 3.73 million unemployed individuals (per the latest Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority, as of May 2021), they are deemed as the most vulnerable members of the society. SSS coverage is the most affordable form of social security they can avail of,” she added.

A self-employed member should not be over 60 years old and has no employer other than themselves and derives a monthly income of P3,250 below from trade, business, or occupation.

A voluntary member, meanwhile, could either be a non-working spouse (NWS) of an SSS member or a separated member.

NWS members are those who are legally married or currently employed and actively paying SSS members, devoting full time in the management of household and family affairs, and have never been a member of the SSS.

SEVMs are also entitled to the same social security benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral benefits.

They are also qualified to avail of member loans for salary, calamity, and educational assistance, and pension loans.

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