How to Continue Paying your SSS Contributions as an OFW?

If you are already an SS Member (whether thru Employment or Self Employment), you can still continue your SSS Membership as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) if you happen to work abroad.  Here is a comprehensive article on How to Continue Paying your SSS Contributions as an OFW. Do you know that there are several privileges that the SSS OFW member compared to other types of membership?

Privilege of an OFW SSS Members:

1. Only OFW SSS Members are allowed for retroactive payments. Which means:
   • Payment of contributions for the months of January to December of a given year may be paid within the same year. For example, you can pay your whole year’s contribution (January – December) until December of the current year. While Employed, Self Employed and Voluntary members are only allowed to pay quarterly (e,g pay January to March contributions until April observing the check digit deadline).
   • October to December of a given year may also be paid on or before the 31st of January of the succeeding year.
   • However, aside from the relaxed payment schedule allowed for OFW, past years and months can no longer be paid. So take advantage to atleast pay your whole year’s contribution even once a year.
2. You are entitled to participate in SSS Flexi Fund. The SSS Flexi fund is a form of provident fund offered only for SSS OFW Member. The member should pay the maximum SSS Contribution Amount (e.g Php 1760/month ) and on top of that, contribute any amount not lower than Php200 to be credited on his/her Flexi Fund Account. Any contribution to the Flexi fund will be used for the member’s retirement, disability and death benefit. An early withdrawal is be allowed anytime for urgent cash needs (with pre termination fees if less than 1 year retention). Unlike the SSS Peso Fund, the Flexi Fund grants an annual incentive benefit (AIB) or dividend to qualified active members.  The SSS Flexi Fund is a secured investment opportunity for the SSS OFW member since it is managed by the government.
   You can learn more about the SSS OFW member here:
   • What is SSS Flexi Fund for OFW?
   • Comparison between SSS PESO Fund and Pagibig Modified 2

How to become an OFW SSS member?

1. If you have an existing SS Number, you can continue paying contributions thru getting the SSS Payment Reference Number and select the Overseas Worker as your SSS Membership Type. Make sure to indicate your correct SSS Number. Once your payment has been posted, your membership status will automatically be changed to OFW.
2. If you are an OFW but do not yet have an SS Number, you can accomplish and submit the SSS-E1 with the original or certified true copy of your Birth Certificate together with any of your ID. Or you may also obtain your SS Number online by selecting the OFW in the Purpose then enter the country where you are/will be working. Here is a Step by Step Guide on how to apply for an SS Number Online.

The effectivity of your SSS Coverage as an OFW member starts on the first payment of your SSS Contributions.

How to Continue Contributing to SSS while you are abroad:

1. You can assign a representative in the Philippines to remit your SSS contributions as an OFW member. Your spouse, your parents or siblings may pay your SSS Contributions even without a Letter of Authority, just make sure that they are using your correct SS Number and tick the OFW option in the SSS payment form.
2. You can directly remit your SSS contributions at any accredited collection partners abroad near you:

To pay your SSS Contributions as an OFW, you need to obtain your SSS Payment Reference Number thru the SSS Website. Some Payment Partners abroad has a facility to obtain your Payment Reference Number thru their system. Just make sure to present your correct SS Number and observe your Contributions Payment Schedule.

You can also pay your SSS Loan on the SSS accredited partners abroad or ask your relative or any representative to pay your SSS Loan on the SSS Branch or accredited collection partners anywhere in the Philippines.

Can I change my MSC or the amount of my SSS Contributions?

Minimum Monthly Salary Credit for OFW is 5,000 which means your minimum SSS Contribution should be Php550.00 (as of April 2018)

If you wish to increase your MSC or Monthly Salary Credit, it may be by one or two salary brackets without requiring the submission of documents to prove your earnings.

Monthly salary credit (MSC) is the compensation base for contributions and benefits related to the total earnings for the month. As of 2018, the maximum MSC is P16,000. Check the MSC column below.

However, in case the change will result to an MSC of lower than P5,000.00, or where the change will result in more than two salary brackets higher or lower than the present MSC, a Declaration of Earnings must be submitted to support the new earnings.

Members who are 55 years or older, if the present MSC is more than P10,000.00, the allowed increase is only one salary bracket regardless of whether the supporting documents are submitted or not.

How to Update your Personal Information in SSS Records?

To update or correct your personal records with the SSS, you must submit a duly filled-up Member’s Data Change (SS Form E-4) with supporting documents (e.g Birth Certificate of your child for adding a beneficiary, Marriage Contract if changing your Martital Status). You can submit your documents at the SSS Branch abroad near you, or any SSS Branch. If you wish to change your Contact Information in the SSS, you may do it thru the SSS Website. You may follow this link for the Step by Step Guide on how to Update your Contact Infomation online.

How to Pay SSS Contributions via Auto-Debit Arrangement System?

Auto-Debit Arrangement (ADA) System allows the one-time enrollment of the Self-Employed and Voluntary Member’s bank account for the automatic payment of their monthly SSS contributions and loan repayments. ADA is convenient because you don’t have to go to the SSS payment center or any accredited collection partner to pay your SSS contributions.

ADA is available at the following banks:

• United Coconut Planters Bank
• BDO (Banco de Oro Unibank)
• BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands)
• Metrobank (Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.)
• PNB (Philippine National Bank)
• Philippine Savings Bank
• Development Bank of the Philippines
• First Consolidated Bank

Here is a Comprehensive Guide on How to enroll on SSS Auto Debit Arrangement.

Is there a Contact Center for SSS OFW Members?

If you happen to still find a difficulty in continue paying your SSS Contributions as an OFW, you may reach the available SSS Contact services:

1. You may reach the OFW CONTACT SERVICE UNIT (CSU)
   • ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph
   • Philippines landline numbers
     • (632) 364-7796
     • (532) 354-7795
   • PHL mobile numbers
     • Globe (63) 977 804-8668
     • Sman (63) 998 847-4092
   • Pwede rin any instant messaging gamit ang Line, Viber at Wechat
2. International toll-free call services

MIDDLE EAST

• Qatar – 00800-100-260
• UAE – 800-0639-0038
• Saudi Arabia – 800-863-0022
• Bahrain – 8000-6094

ASIA

• Hongkong – 001-800-0225-5777
• Singapore – 001-800-0225-5777
• Malaysia – 00-800-0225-5777
• Taiwan – 00-800-0225-5777
• Brunei – 801-4275

EUROPE

• Italy – 00-800-0225-5777
• UK 00-800-0225-5777

3. International direct landline number

USA (San Francisco) – 760-797-218

How do I know if there is an SSS Branch near my place abroad?

You may check the list of SSS Foreign Branches in this link.