The Social Security System (SSS) is a state-run agency that provides social security protection to Filipino workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Canada. Members are entitled to sickness, maternity, disability, and other benefits.
In cases of emergency, such as a natural disaster or sudden loss of job, SSS members may avail of calamity loans or salary loans. When they retire, they will also receive regular pension from SSS, enabling them to live comfortably after many years of work.
Contents
Canada OFW’s Guide to Paying SSS Contributions
In Canada, the Social Security System (SSS) operates from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), which have office locations in Toronto and Vancouver. These offices provide various services to the Filipino and Filipino-Canadian community.
What is SSS?
As mentioned earlier, the SSS is a government-run social insurance program. It caters to Filipino workers in the private, professional, and informal sectors, providing them and their dependents with different kinds of benefits and services.
Vision and Mission
The SSS is envisioned to be “a viable security institution providing universal and equitable social protection through word-class service,” according to the agency’s official website.
The mission of 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.”
Programs and Benefits
SSS members can expect to receive short-term as well as long-term benefits. Short-benefits include maternity, sickness, unemployment, and funeral benefits. On the other hand, long-term benefits include retirement, disability, and death benefits.
In addition, depending on their situation, SSS members can apply for calamity loans, salary loans, and pension loans.
Coverage for Overseas Filipinos
Membership in the SSS is compulsory for all OFWs, including land-based and sea-based workers. In particular, land-based OFWs are considered in the same manner as “self-employed” workers in the Philippines, whereas sea-based OFWs are considered as employees of their manning agencies or “principals” based on SSS’ regulations.
Meanwhile, membership in the SSS is optional or voluntary for overseas Filipinos who are immigrants, permanent citizens, or naturalized citizens in their host countries.
Contribution and Payments
The SSS contribution is based on a member’s Monthly Salary Credit (MSC), which, in turn, is based on his/her monthly earnings declared at the time of registration. That being said, for land-based OFWs, the minimum MSC is PHP 8,000.
For sea-based OFWs, their SSS contribution is based on their monthly salary. And just like other private sector workers in the Philippines, their monthly SSS contribution consists of the employer’s contribution plus the employee’s contribution.
Video: All About MySSS Mobile App
At present, the Philippine government is focused on “digitalization,” providing online methods for various government services and transactions. In the case of the SSS, the MySSS mobile app was introduced, enabling members to view records, pay contributions, and perform other activities online.
Here’s a video presenting the features of MySSS, as shared by the Philippine Social Security System – SSS Facebook page:
Where to Pay SSS Contributions
SSS members in the Philippines and overseas can pay their contributions through “over the counter” or “online” methods.
Over the Counter Payments
In the Philippines, individual payors can make “over the counter” payments at SSS Tellering Branches, SM Business Centers, Bayad centers, ECPay centers, USSC centers, and SSS’ partner banks.
OFWs abroad can also make over the counter payments when they visit these overseas partners of the SSS: Bank of Commerce, Philippine National Bank, Asia United Bank, Pinoy Express, and Ventaja. These banks and remittance companies have partnered with other banks and remittance globally, thus allowing overseas Filipinos to pay their SSS contributions from anywhere in the world!
Online Payment Facilities
If you’re an individual payor or an OFW, and you don’t have time to make over the counter payments, don’t worry because there are online options available: SSS mobile app, SSS website, and others.
Through the SSS mobile app, you can pay your contributions using BPI online, Maya, GCash, and banks cards (i.e. American Express, JCB, Mastercard, Visa). On the SSS website, you can make payments through Billeroo and AltPayNet.
Other than these, mobile apps such as PayRemit, Security Bank, Rewire, Shopee Pay, UnionBank, and Robinsons Bank apps may also be utilized to pay SSS contributions.
How to Pay SSS Contribution Online
Having a MySSS mobile app is a convenient way to pay contributions, check records, update your data, and make other transactions. Here’s a guide on how you can pay contributions through the MySSS mobile app, which can be downloanded from Google Play Store and App Store. Be sure to create a MySSS account first before paying your contributions.
- Open the MySSS mobile app, input your MySSS user ID and password, then click “Sign In.”
- Select “Generate PRN” to generate a Payment Reference Number. Tap “Create,” then click “Generate.”
- Fill up the required fields (i.e. membership type, applicable period, SSS contribution amount), select “Submit,” then “OK.”
- The screen will display your PRN. You can download a PDF copy of your PRN by clicking the download icon on the upper right corner. Tap the back arrow to proceed with your payment
- Click “Pay,” then select “Credit Card/Debit Card” (other payment methods displayed include BPI, Maya, and GCash).
- Tap “OK,” then “Proceed.”
- Review the summary of payment details displayed onscreen.
- Provide 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 select “Submit.”
- The screen will display “Payment Successful.” You can choose to receive a receipt by entering your email address or mobile number in the field provided.
- The screen will display a notification about your successful SSS Mobile Payment.
- To check or confirm your payment, view “Actual Premiums” on the MySSS app, which displays posted payments. You can also see the status of your payment on the app’s “Activity History.”
NOTE: For SSS contributions covering the period of January to September, the deadline for payments is on December 31st of the year covered. On the other hand, contributions for the period of October to December must be paid on January 31st of the next year.
Contact Information: SSS Offices in Canada
In Canada, SSS offices are located in the Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Toronto and Vancouver. Below are their respective contact details and location maps.
SSS Toronto
Address: Suite 200, 160 Eglinton Ave., E, Toronto, ON, Canada, Ontario
Telephone: (416) 485.2999
Email: toronto@sss.gov.ph
Website: https://torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph/about-the-phl/partner-agencies/social-security-system-sss-toronto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWOToronto/
Google Map Location:
SSS Vancouver
Address: Suite 601, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C3E1
Telephone: +1 604 641 1234
Email: vancouver@sss.gov.ph
Website: https://www.vancouverpcg.org/migrant-workers-office-mwo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/SSS-Vancouver-100063920957466/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
The SSS is a great way to boost your savings and make sure that you’ll have a regular monthly pension when you retire. You can also take advantage of other benefits like maternity benefit, sickness benefit, salary loan, calamity loan, and more.
Speaking of savings, there may be times when you’ll need financial assistance for emergencies like hospitalization, recovery from calamities, and so on. If this is the case, check out these options for acquiring emergency cash immediately here in Canada.