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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider SSS pensioners can now do 'proof of life' online

SSS pensioners can now do 'proof of life' online

Published Mar 11, 2026 05:35 pm
State-owned Social Security System (SSS) introduced a facial authentication feature to streamline the annual verification process for its millions of pensioners, moving another key government service into the digital sphere.
Robert Joseph M. de Claro, SSS president and chief executive officer, said the new system allows members to complete the annual confirmation of pensioners (ACOP) requirement through biometric liveness checks, eliminating the need for physical appearances at branches.
De Claro said the technology verifies identities in real-time to ensure that pension payments remain uninterrupted while strengthening the fund’s security protocols.
Under the new guidelines, the feature is immediately available to pensioners registered with the National ID System, also known as PhilSys. This includes retirement pensioners aged 80 and above residing in the Philippines, those living abroad, and survivorship or death pensioners.
By leveraging the Philippine Statistics Authority’s National ID eVerify system, the SSS is attempting to reduce the bureaucratic friction that has long plagued elderly and overseas members.
De Claro noted that the interface was designed for accessibility. Pensioners are not required to log into the My.SSS portal. Instead, they can access a dedicated ACOP icon on the official SSS website using any camera-enabled smartphone or computer.
The system then guides the user through a facial scan that takes less than a minute to complete. Once the biometric data is authenticated, the agency’s records are updated instantly.
The shift to digital verification is expected to mitigate fraudulent claims by confirming that a “live person” is present during the transaction. For members who do not have access to compatible hardware, the SSS will maintain its E-Centers at physical branches to provide technical assistance.
The agency will also continue to offer traditional compliance methods, including in-person visits and pre-scheduled video appointments, for those who prefer them.
The initiative comes as the SSS manages a growing pool of nearly four million pensioners worldwide. Agency officials framed the digital pivot as a response to rising living costs, noting that remote verification saves members the expense and physical burden of travel.
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