Self-employed, voluntary SSS members up 20%

MANILA, Philippines — The number of self-employed and voluntary members (SEVMs) of the state-run Social Security System (SSS) rose 20 percent to 8.43 million as of end-May, making up one in every five members of the provident fund’s 40.52 million membership base.

SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio said the agency would sustain efforts to register more SEVMs and provide social security benefits to individuals displaced by the pandemic.

Based on the latest labor statistics, around 3.73 million Filipinos remain unemployed due to the recession.

“Being part of the 3.73 million unemployed individuals, they are deemed as the most vulnerable members of society. SSS coverage is the most affordable form of social security they can avail of,” Ignacio said.

Similar to their regular counterparts, SEVMs are entitled to apply for social security on sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral.

SEVMs are also qualified to secure loans for salary, calamity and education, as well as pension by the time they retire.

Ignacio added self-employed members are covered by benefits extended under the Employees’ Compensation Program, such that they may obtain additional security in the event of sickness, injury, disability or death due to work.

On the other hand, Ignacio appealed with SEVMs to pay their contributions as scheduled, either on a monthly or quarterly basis, or before the deadline of remittance. She also pleaded that they pay their loans on time to avoid incurring the one percent penalty per month.

Under SSS rules, individuals who work with no employer but himself/herself and earns P3,250 or below monthly can register with the SSS as a self-employed member. Contractual workers in state agencies not covered by the Government Service Insurance System may apply as well under this category.

Non-working spouses legally married to a regular SSS member, devoting their time in managing family affairs and have never registered with the SSS may enlist as voluntary members.

Last year the number of paying SSS members fell by about 1.5 million to 16.1 million, from 17.6 million in 2019, as millions of workers lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 lockdowns that forced employers out of business.