Dead SSS members’ legal spouses urged to file benefits claims online

Social Security System. INQUIRER PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Legal spouses of Social Security System (SSS) members who passed away now need to file death benefits claims online, the state-run pension fund said.

Applying for death benefits via the My.SSS portal was one way to automate, simplify, and streamline benefit processes, as mandated under Republic Act (RA) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Law, SSS president and chief executive Michael Regino said in an April 19 circular.

Online filing covered all qualified legal spouses of deceased SSS members “who have not re-married, cohabitated or entered in ‘live-in’ relationships before or after the members’ death,” Regino said.

Unmarried couples as well as those who had “mere sexual or dating relationship from either opposite or same-sex” cannot benefit from their partners’ death claims, the SSS chief said.

Claimants need to have social security (SS) numbers as well as UMID cards enrolled as an ATM card or any approved SSS disbursement accounts.

They also need to provide the SS number of their deceased spouse, alongside supporting documentary requirements for death benefit claims.

Once approved by the SSS, death benefit claims will be directly credited to their beneficiaries’ preferred disbursement channels.

Full implementation of mandatory online filing of all death benefit claims with the SSS will take effect six months from the circular’s effectivity, or in October of this year.

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