The Social Security System (SSS) marked its 69th anniversary Tuesday, reaffirming its commitment to Filipino workers and their families while working to strengthen its financial sustainability and expand access to services.

The anniversary, themed “Bawat Isa Protektado, Bawat Bukas Sigurado” (“Everyone Protected, Every Tomorrow Secure”), comes as the agency approaches its 70th year of operation.

SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph M. de Claro outlined the agency’s recent performance and initiatives during a press conference at SSS’ main office in Quezon City, citing expanded benefits, financial assistance, retirement savings programs and digital services.

“For 69 years, SSS has been a steadfast partner of Filipino workers and their families, providing protection when they need it most,” de Claro said. “As we move toward our 70th year, we are focused on making that protection stronger, more accessible, and more responsive while ensuring that SSS remains financially sustainable for generations to come.”

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, who chairs the Social Security Commission, said a stronger fund translates directly into the agency’s ability to pay pensions and benefits.

“A stronger fund means a stronger capacity to pay pensions and benefits,” Go said. “It means greater assurance that when today’s worker retires, or when hardship strikes a member’s family, SSS will have the capacity to respond.”

BENEFITS AND FINANCES

SSS released P205.56 billion pesos in benefit payments to members, pensioners and beneficiaries from January through July. Retirement and death benefits made up the largest share, at P180.86 billion pesos, including P110.83 billion pesos for P2.7 million regular pensioners and P43.89 billion pesos for 1.23 million survivor pensioners.

Member contributions totaled P235.33 billion pesos over the same period. The agency reported P268.14 billion pesos in total revenue and P212.64 billion pesos in expenditures, for a net revenue of P55.50 billion pesos. Operating expenses were P7.09 billion pesos, or 24.3% of the agency’s P29.22-billion-peso charter limit.

Under the Pension Reform Program — the first multiyear pension increase in SSS history — retirement and disability pensioners are receiving annual 10% increases each September from 2025 through 2027, while death and survivor pensioners are receiving 5% increases. The agency has disbursed about P6 billion pesos in additional pension benefits this year, released in June to help offset inflation and rising energy costs.

As of July, the average basic monthly pension stood at P5,704 pesos, including supplemental benefits of P1,000 pesos for Social Security pensioners and P1,150 pesos for Employees’ Compensation pensioners.

INVESTMENTS

The agency’s investment portfolio totaled P1.29 trillion pesos as of July, posting an annualized return of 4.64%. Government securities made up 49% of the portfolio, followed by equities (14%), member and pensioner loans (13%), real estate (12%) and corporate notes and bonds (8%), with the remainder in bank deposits and managed and mutual funds.

LOAN PROGRAMS

SSS has expanded its loan offerings in response to inflation and rising energy costs. Its Enhanced Emergency Loan Program, in effect since May 1, offers qualified members up to P20,000 pesos at 7% annual interest with a six-month repayment moratorium, and lowered the contribution requirement from 36 to 18 months for members with at least six posted contributions in the past year.

The agency also launched SSS LoanLite, a fully digital microloan program for employed members offered through partner financial institutions. UnionDigital Bank is the first to offer it through its mobile app; Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, UnionBank of the Philippines and Standard Economics are also partners and are expected to roll out the service on their platforms.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND COVERAGE

Contributions to the agency’s Mandatory Provident Fund reached P263.12 billion pesos from 9.18 million members as of July, while its Pension Booster program recorded P2.09 billion pesos in contributions from 95,745 members.

SSS reported 44.25 million covered members as of July, including employed, self-employed, voluntary and overseas Filipino workers, served through 292 local offices and 30 foreign offices. The agency said it also serves more than 1 million active employers.

LOOKING AHEAD

SSS is developing an Energy Sustainability Loan Program that would let members with Mandatory Provident Fund accounts borrow up to P400,000 pesos to install home solar panel systems, payable over seven years at 6% annual interest. The agency is also developing a Mandatory Provident Fund loan and a pensioners’ card.

Anniversary events continue through September, including Pensioners’ Day on Sept. 11; the opening of an SSS foreign office in Madrid the same day, which will serve more than 70,000 Filipinos in Spain; SSS Global Kabayan Day events in Hong Kong on Sept. 12-13 and in Barcelona on Sept. 13; and the Balikat ng Bayan Awards on Sept. 21 recognizing agency partners and stakeholders.