In the Philippines, private sector workers who are members of the Social Security System (SSS) can avail of maternity benefits, sickness benefits, unemployment benefits, retirement benefits, and other forms of assistance. The same goes for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who are also required to be part of the SSS.
For SSS-related concerns, OFWs in Taiwan can go to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), which serves as the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan. With a main office in Taipei, MECO also has extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung.
Taiwan OFW’s Guide to Paying SSS Contributions
Before anything else, here’s a quick overview of the SSS, its programs and benefits, and how OFW members can pay their SSS contributions, even while outside the Philippines.
What is the SSS?
The Social Security System or SSS is a government program that provides benefits to Filipino workers at different stages of their lives — from the moment they start working up to retirement. Its members include workers in the private, professional, and informal sectors, both inside and outside the Philippines.
In the Philippines, the SSS has offices across the country, in all regions and provinces. Outside the Philippines, SSS-related services are usually coursed through Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) worldwide. In the case of Taiwan, these services may be accessed through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).
Vision and Mission
Based on the official website of the SSS, it is envisioned to be “a viable security institution providing universal and equitable social protection through word-class service.”
Correspondingly, the mission statement of the SSS is “to manage a sound and viable social security system which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden.”
SSS Coverage for OFWs
Membership to the SSS is mandatory for OFWs. In contrast, membership is voluntary for Filipinos who are immigrants, permanent citizens, or naturalized citizens abroad.
OFW members of the SSS include land-based and sea-based workers. As per the guidelines and policies of the SSS, land-based OFWs are considered as similar to “self-employed” members who are based in the Philippines. Meanwhile, sea-based OFWs are regarded as employees of their “principals” or manning agencies.
SSS Programs and Benefits
As cited earlier, the SSS provides different types of benefits to its members. Short-term benefits include maternity benefits, sickness benefits, and unemployment benefits. On the other hand, long-term benefits include retirement (pension) and disability benefits, depending on the case. Also provided are death and funeral benefits.
SSS members are also eligible for loans, depending on their needs and circumstances. These loans include salary loans, calamity loans, and pension loans.
SSS Contributions and Payments
The SSS contribution of each member is determined by his/her Monthly Salary Credit (MSC). In turn, the MSC is based on the member’s declared monthly earnings during the time of registration.
For land-based OFWs, the minimum MSC is currently at PHP 8,000. Meanwhile, for sea-based OFWs, since they are considered as employees of their manning agencies, their SSS contribution is based on their monthly salaries. The amount to be paid to SSS includes the employee’s plus the employer’s contributions.
How to Pay SSS Contributions
Generally speaking, there are two ways for members to pay SSS contributions: “over the counter,” or online.
Over the Counter Payments
To make “over the counter” payments, members in the Philippines can pay contributions at SSS Tellering Branches, Bayad Centers, ECPay Centers, SM Business Centers, USSC Centers, and other agencies.
Outside the country, members can pay contributions through the SSS’ partner banks/companies: Asia United Bank (AUB), Bank of Commerce (BOC) and Philippine National Bank (PNB). Also included are the accredited collecting agencies of these banks or companies.
Online Payment Facilities
For online payments, one option is the MySSS mobile app, which allows members to pay contributions online. The app accepts payments made via cards such as American Express, JCB, MasterCard, or Visa, as well as digital wallets like GCash or Maya.
Aside from the MySSS mobile app, members can pay contributions through the mobile applications of Robinsons Bank, Security Bank, UnionBank, PayRemit, Rewire, and Shopee Pay.
How to Pay SSS Contributions Online
To make online payments, members can use the MySSS mobile app, which can be download from the App Store and Google Play Store. Using this app, here’s a guide to paying SSS contributions online:
- Open the MySSS mobile app. Enter your user ID and password, then click “Sign In.”
- Tap “Generate PRN” to generate a Payment Reference Number. Click “Create,” then select “Generate.”
- Enter the necessary details (i.e. membership type, applicable period, SSS contribution amount). Click “Submit” and “OK.”
- The screen will show your PRN. You can download a PDF copy of this by selecting the download icon on the upper right corner. Then, click the back arrow to proceed with your online payment.
- Select “Pay,” then choose the payment method (i.e. credit card/debit card, GCash, Maya, BPI, etc.).
- Click “OK,” then “Proceed.”
- Check and review your payment details shown onscreen.
Enter your account details, then click “Complete Order.” - Wait for your payment to be processed.
- Enter the One-Time PIN (OTP) that will be sent to your registered mobile number with the servicing bank, then click “Submit.”
- The screen will show “Payment Successful.” You can opt to receive the receipt by providing your email address or mobile number.
- The screen will show a notification regarding your online payment.
- To check or confirm your payment, go to “Actual Premiums” on the MySSS app, which displays posted payments. Also, you can check the status of your payment through the app’s “Activity History.”
NOTE: SSS contributions covering the period of January to September should be paid on or before December 31st of the year covered. Meanwhile, contributions for the period of October to December should be paid by January 31st of the following year.
Video: SSS Benefits and Services
Last July 26, 2024, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) talked about SSS benefits and services through its “MECOlive” presentation online. Watch this video of the discussion, as featured through the MECO Facebook page:
Contact Information: MECO Taiwan
For more information about SSS-related matters, you can get in touch with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) online. Notably, this office also provides passport services, visa services, notarial services, assistance to nationals (ATN), and more.
Address: 2F, Chang Hong New Era Building, 55 & 57 Zhouzi St., Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: +886 2 2658 8825
Website: https://www.meco.org.tw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MECO.official
Google Map:
For OFWs in Taiwan, getting support for SSS-related services is easy, thanks to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ representative office in the country.