SSS issues ACOP guidelines

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Social Security System (SSS) recently issued the consolidated guidelines for the annual confirmation of its member-pensioners which would ensure its members are continuously receiving their benefits from the state fund.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Dooc signed Circular 2017-12, laying out the process and requirements for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP).

This is in compliance with Social Security Commission Resolution 674, series of 2017 approving the consolidated guidelines and policies pertaining to the ACOP.

ACOP is a measure which requires pensioners to annually report to the SSS to ensure the continuous payment of their benefits under the Social Security Law.

The program covers all retirees residing abroad, total disability or survivor pensioners, as well as their dependents with guardians. Retiree pensioners residing in the Philippines are no longer required to comply with the ACOP.

According to the circular, retiree pensioners residing abroad and total disability pensioners are required to report to the SSS during the month of their birth. Survivor pensioners and dependents of SSS members should also report during the month of birth of the member or deceased member.

Meanwhile, SSS pensioners residing in the Philippines, whose compliance is through a representative or through mail, are required to undergo the Fact of Pensioner’s Existence (FPE) or a Medical Fieldwork Service (MFS) conducted by their concerned SSS branches.

The state fund said the conduct of the FPE is mandatory for retiree pensioners who are 85 years old and above, while the MFS is for total disability pensioners.

“The branch office that conducted the FPE/MFS shall make the recommendation on the benefit claim and the updating of pensioner’s records based on the result of the ACOP,” the circular read.

The SSS warned that non-compliance to the ACOP may result to the automatic suspension of the member’s benefits.

A member’s pension may also be suspended in cases, such as failure to present death certificate of SSS member, failure to establish pensioner’s identity, suspected fraudulent claim, and failure to locate pensioner at given address.

Meanwhile, pension may also be cancelled due to death of pensioner, remarriage or cohabitation of a survivor pensioner, recovery from total disability, re-employment of pensioner, gainful employment of dependent, and marriage of dependent.

The pension of dependents will also be automatically cancelled once they reach their 21st birthday, the SSS said.

“The pension of a pensioner shall be suspended or cancelled based on the result of FPE or MFS and based on the report from informants,” the circular added.

Meanwhile, the SSS said the receipt of pension will be resumed within two months from the date of the re-compliance of the pensioner.