How to Apply for SSS Death Benefit?

How to Apply for SSS Death Benefit?

The SSS Death Benefit is a cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or lumpsum to the beneficiaries of the deceased members.

Lumpsum or Pension?

• Monthly Pension – If the deceased member has at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death, the monthly pension is granted to the primary beneficiaries.
• Lump sum – granted to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. In case of secondary beneficiaries, they are paid a lump sum benefit only.

Who are qualified to receive the death benefit of the deceased member?

• Primary beneficiaries of the deceased member – legitimate spouse, (until he/she remarries), and the dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the member who are not yet 21 year old or over 21 years old for children who are incapacitated and incapable of self support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.
• In absence of primary beneficiaries, the dependent parents are considered the secondary beneficiaries. Or if in absence of parents, any other designated by the member in his/her SSS records (E1 or E4) are considered beneficiary. If there is no designated beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid to the deceased member’s legal heir in accordance with the law of succession under the Family Code of the Philippines.

How much is the monthly pension?

• The monthly pension depends on the member’s paid contributions, including the Credited years of service and the number of dependent minor children, which should not exceed five. The monthly pension is paid for not less than 60 months:

The amount of monthly pension will be the highest of the following:

• The sum of P300 plus twenty percent (20%) of the average monthly salary credit (AMSC) plus two percent (2%) of the AMSC for each CYS in excess of ten (10) years; or
• Forty percent (40%) of the AMSC; or
• P1,000 if the member had less than ten (10) CYS; P1,200 if with at least ten (10) CYS; or P2,400 if with less than twenty (20) CYS.

The Monthly pension is paid thru the beneficiary’s designated bank.

How much is the lump sum benefit?

• The primary benefit of the deceased member who paid less than 36 monthly contributions shall be entitled to lump sum benefit, which shall be higher of:
  • Monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions paid prior to the semester of death
  • Twelve times the monthly pension
• Secondary beneficiaries of the deceased member shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to:
  • 36 times the monthly pension – if the member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death
  • Monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid or twelve times the monthly pension, whichever is higher – if the member has paid less than 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

Effective May 2016, the beneficiary may opt to receive the lump sum benefits thru his or her bank account, instead of receiving the check through the mail.

Until when can a beneficiary file for a death benefit?

There is no prescriptive period for the filing of the initial death benefit.

However, the filing of a request for re adjudication or adjustment of settled death benefit claim must be filed within 10 years.

What are the Requirements for filing a Death Benefit claim?

1. Death Claim Application (DCA) Form
   1. Application for DDR Benefit under the Portability Law, if applying under Portability Law
2. Claimant’s Photo and Signature Form
3. Filer’s Affidavit or Sinumpaang Salaysay
4. Certified true copy of death certificate of the deceased member, duly registered with the Local Civil Registry and signed by the authorized signatory of the Office of the Civil Registrar, or issued by PSA (formerly, NSO).
5. SSS Form CLD-1.3A (Affidavit of Death Benefit) if claimants are primary or secondary beneficiaries
6. Other requirements, if applicable
   1. If benefit is pension, Single savings account passbook/ATM card/validated initial deposit slip/accomplished Visa Cash Card Enrollment
      1. If Name and Account Number is not embossed in the ATM, the initial deposit slip is required
      2. If claimant cannot open a savings account, a written request for exemption from the “SSS Pensioner’s Remittance thru Bank Program” stating valid reason for exemption
   2. If the cause of death of the member is work connected:
      1. Form BPN 105 (Report of Death)
      2. Pre employment medical records, if cause of death is due to illness

• Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the employer

1. Mission/Job or Travel order duly assigned by employer, if applicable
2. Photocopy of page in the company logbook/record of accident assigned by the ER
3. Police investigation report or employer’s report of injury, death or casualty spot report, when applicable

1. If death claim was filed by spouse beyond 5 years from the death of death, a written explanation is needed.

How to apply for Death benefit?

1. Prepare complete requirements as stated above. If the requirements are incomplete or incorrect, your benefit application may not be received, or may be delayed in processing.
   1. Make sure to accomplish Contact Information and Address correctly and legibly. The SSS contacts the beneficiaries for the status of their benefits application especially when additional documentations or process are necessary.
2. Go to the nearest SSS Branch and secure your queue number. Go early to avoid long queue.
3. Once your number is called, go to the SSS Representative window and they will perform initial evaluation on your claim and requirements.
4. Once application is received, wait for the SSS to contact you. SSS Death Benefit processing ranges from 10-45 days depending on the complexity of the case. This processing time is based on the experience of other SSS members who filed a death benefit.

You may check the status of your benefit claim logingin in the SSS member’s online account (if you know his/her online credentials).

If after two weeks, you haven’t heard from SSS, go again to the SSS Branch and inquire for the status of your claim.

Upon approval of the claim, the SSS will mail a notice voucher to the beneficiary informing him/her when to withdraw the benefit from the bank.