SSS ends 2025 with pension reforms, eyes 2026

QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) closed 2025 with the implementation of the Emergency Loan Program, capping a year of reforms that strengthened social protection for millions of Filipinos through pension increases, loan enhancements, expanded coverage and accelerated digital transformation.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said 2025 marked a turning point for the agency following directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and guidance from former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and current Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go.

“This year was a turning point for SSS,” De Claro said.

“From the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and with guidance from former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and current Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, we delivered on our promise to provide better benefits and programs, faster services, and wider coverage for our members,” he said.

“These milestones reflect our unwavering commitment to social security protection for all Filipino workers and their beneficiaries,” he added.

Among the major achievements in 2025 was the launch of the SSS Pension Reform Program, which provides annual pension increases every September from 2025 to 2027.

The program covers 3.8 million pensioners and includes a 10 percent increase for retirement and disability pensioners and a 5 percent increase for survivor pensioners.

The Salary Loan Program was enhanced with a reduced interest rate of 8 percent from 10 percent, benefiting more than 600,000 member-borrowers.

The Calamity Loan Program was also enhanced with a reduced interest rate of 7 percent from 10 percent and faster activation for about 630,000 member-borrowers.

SSS implemented a Pension Loan Program for retiree and surviving spouse pensioners, offering loanable amounts of up to PHP 300,000 for retiree pensioners and PHP 150,000 for survivor pensioners.

The pension loan program benefited more than 30,000 pensioner-borrowers during the year.

SSS also issued the MySSS Card with 2-in-1 functionality, serving as a valid SSS ID and an automatic disbursement account enrollment.

Nearly 10,000 MySSS cards were received by members, while almost 100,000 disbursement accounts were enrolled.

The Emergency Loan Program was rolled out with a low interest rate of 7 percent and a six-month moratorium on loan repayment, assisting more than 26,000 member-borrowers.

SSS launched the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program led by Double Dragon Corp., which paid PHP 18.2 million to fully subsidize SSS contributions of 2,000 informal sector self-employed workers in Iloilo City and Roxas City for 12 months.

Local government units, religious groups and other organizations also registered as subsidy providers under the program.

The agency accredited 25 cooperatives as coverage and collection partners to facilitate SSS registration, contribution collection, and benefit and loan applications for more than 200,000 cooperative members.

SSS partnered with various government entities to expand social security coverage for job order and contract of service workers not covered by the Government Service Insurance System.

More than 500,000 job order workers were registered, with over 200,000 regularly paying SSS contributions.

SSS also implemented the Run After Contribution Evaders program nationwide to enforce compliance among delinquent employers.

Looking ahead, SSS said it will continue existing programs, develop new initiatives, strengthen member services, and expand its footprint nationwide and overseas in 2026.

“We also look forward to 2026, where we continue implementation of existing programs, develop new ones, strengthen member servicing, and expand the footprint of SSS nationwide and abroad,” De Claro said.

In September 2026, pensioners will receive Tranche 2 of the Pension Reform Program, marking another round of pension increases.

The Emergency Loan Program will also remain available until Dec. 9, 2026, or until calamity declarations are lifted.

SSS said a microloan program is expected to be implemented in early 2026 following the approval of its guidelines by the Social Security Commission on Dec. 17, 2025.

“With guidance from Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, SSS is looking to implement this micro loan program through partner institutions very soon as a safer and affordable option to borrow cash for short-term needs with a 15- to 90-day tenor and interest rate of 8 percent per annum or 0.67 percent per month,” De Claro said.

To expand access, SSS plans to open new local and overseas branches in 2026 to ensure broader coverage for Filipino workers.

The agency is targeting the establishment of foreign representative offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, alongside the opening of 10 new branches in the Philippines.

SSS is also planning to hire about 1,800 personnel in 2026 to fully staff frontline services, both physical and virtual.

The recruitment drive aims to address service delivery gaps and improve the handling of assistance requests and complaints.

Other initiatives being explored for 2026 include a potential partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners program.

SSS is also studying special programs for gig economy workers and a contribution subsidy program for 2,000 overseas Filipino workers supported by a PHP 28.8 million commitment from Double Dragon Corp.

“Looking back at 2025 and forward to 2026, we remain committed to our goal of making SSS relevant in the life of every Filipino at every point in their lives by providing quality social protection, continuous enhancement of member servicing platforms, and espousing the value of saving for the future,” De Claro said.

For more information, members may contact SSS through hotline 1455, email usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph, or visit SSS branches nationwide.

Updates and instructional materials are also available on the official SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph and on its social media accounts under the MYSSSPH handle.