The online filing and registration of new employees as members of the Social Security System (SSS) were made mandatory as of July 15, the Department of Finance (DOF) said on Thursday.
This includes the submission of most forms and benefit claims in compliance with the directive of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to further improve services by shifting to digital technology.
The SSS said the release of loans and benefits to members, except for unbanked pensioners, was also made “cheque-less” using electronic payments systems including PesoNet.
The state-run firm is targeting to include unbanked pensioners by October this year, said SSS President-CEO Aurora Ignacio.
The filing of applications for the Calamity Loan and Salary Loan were made mandatory by the SSS since June 15, while the Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Claim of employers was required as of July 1 this year.
Since July 15, the submission of the Maternity Notification Form for pregnant female SSS members and the Sickness Notification Form were required to be done online by SSS. Also included is the Retirement Benefit Claim of members who are at least 65 years old and the application for Unemployment Insurance Benefit.
The online enrollment of bank accounts in the My.SSS or SSS online portal was made mandatory for members since June and for employers starting August this year.
This will enable the SSS to automatically deposit benefits to the member’s and employer’s enrolled bank account.
Dominguez, who is also the ex-officio chairman of the Social Security Commission, said modernizing the system would help cut overhead costs for the pension fund. Francis David T. Perez