When they retire due to inconsistent contributions, at least half of the entire Social Security System (SSS) members may not be able to take use of their pension.

The SSS acknowledged that some of its members might not be eligible for substantial rewards when they retire during a hearing of the Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprise.

According to SSS Chief Actuary Edgar Cruz, there are currently 40.97 million registered SSS members, but not all of them routinely pay, putting retirement benefits in jeopardy.

Even though we have 41 million subscribers, not all of them actively pay. 

"This means they are SSS members but will not receive any significant benefits." "Our estimate is that close to 20 million (members) will be uninsured," he said.

It should be noted that members' benefits after retirement are calculated using their regular contributions to SSS while they were still working.

Members make monthly contributions to a state-run pension fund, which is used for benefits such as retirement and other SSS loans.

Currently, the contribution rate is 13% of a person's monthly salary credit, which is shared by the employer and employee in an 8.5:4.5 ratio.

An SSS member who retires is entitled to a monthly income that could be anything between P2,000 and P20,000.


Before the implementation of the tax reform program, the SSS requested an increase equal to 14% of the monthly salary credit.


The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, according to the SSS, should be followed because it effectively improved Filipinos' take-home pay while lowering personal income taxes.


The Social Security Act of 2018 required an increase in members' contributions, which will begin in 2021 and be repeated in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

However, the law also granted the President the authority to halt contribution increases in the event of an emergency or disaster.


SSS previously reported that it has paid out a record P1.1 trillion in benefit payments to its members, pensioners, and other recipients between 2016 and 2021.


The total amount for the six years of the Duterte administration is double the P550 billion in payments made from 2010 to 2015, or during the presidency of the late Benigno Aquino III, who died in office.


SSS stated that the reforms carried out in recent years, such as the Social Security Act in 2018, the Expanded Maternity Leave Law in 2019, and the additional P1,000 benefit pension award which began in 2017, are significantly responsible for the improvement in benefit disbursements.

In light of the anticipated rise in paying members brought on by the expansion of SSS's membership coverage and increases in contribution rates, the SSS fund life is currently projected to extend until 2054.