Duties and Responsibilities of SSS Members

What are the duties and responsibilities of SSS employee-members?An SSS member should:

1. secure their SS numbers;
2. ensure that they are reported for coverage under the SSS by their employers;
3. pay their monthly share of contributions and ensure that these contributions are remitted to the SSS by their employers;
4. ensure that SSS Form R3’s (Contributions Collection Lists) where their name are included, are submitted to the SSS by their employers;
5. pay their monthly loan amortization, if any, thru salary deduction and to ensure that these payments are remitted to the SSS by their employers;
6. update or correct their personal records with the SSS by submitting a duly filled-up SSS Form E-4 (Member’s Data Amendment) and supporting document/s to avoid delays in the processing of benefit claims; and
7. be conscious of changes and improvements in SSS policies and benefit structure.

What are the duties and responsibilities of an SSS employer-member?
An employer is obliged to:

1. require the presentation of the SS number of a prospective employee;
2. report all employees for SS coverage within thirty (30) days from the date of employment by submitting an accomplished SSS Form R-1A (Employment Report ) at the nearest SSS office;
3. deduct from the employees the monthly SS contributions based on the schedule of contributions; pay their share of contributions including Employees’ Compensation (EC) and remit these contributions to the SSS or accredited banks within the first the (10) calendar days following the month when said contributions are due and applicable.
4. Submit a summary of all employees’ contributions thru SSS Form R-3’s (Contribution Collection List) together with a copy of the Special Bank Receipt (SBR) and SSS Form R-5 ( Payment Return Form) within 10 days after the applicable quarter;
   
   An employer may also participate in the SSSNet, a computer service using the electronic data interchange technology, designed to hasten the posting of employees contributions for faster processing and availment of benefits and loan privileges.
   
   Or, the employer may opt to participate in the R3 Tape/Diskette Project which allows the submission of the monthly summary of employees’ contribution thru a computer tape or diskette. This system is a better alternative to manual reporting as its minimizes encoding errors and processing time.
   
5. issue official receipts and maintain official records of employment and deductions for all contributions subtracted from their employees every month or indicate such deductions from the employees’ pay envelopes;
   
   A household employer should submit an accomplished SSS Form R-3 (Contributions Collection List) and indicate in the appropriate box as a household employer. Submit this together with the SSS Form R5’s at the nearest SSS office. Household employers may enroll in the Auto-Debit Arrangement System which allows the one-time enrollment of the employer’s bank account for the automatic payment of monthly SSS contributions and loan repayments. This arrangement is open at the United Coconut Planters Bank, Equitable-PCI Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., Philippine National Bank; Asia Trust Bank; Philippine Savings Bank; Development Bank of the Philippines; and more bank soon.
   
6. remit to the SSS all salary, educational, stocks investment or privatization loan amortization of their employees and submit an accomplished SSS Form ML-1 (Monthly Salary/Calamity/Emergency/Stock Investment Loan Payment Return) to any of the SSS accredited banks within the first ten (10) calendar days following the month when said amortizations are due and applicable;
   
   
7. submit a summary of all employees’ loan amortization thru an accomplished SSS Form ML-2 (Collection List) with copies of the SBRs and SSS Form ML-1 on or before the tenth day following the applicable month to the nearest branch;
   
   An employer may also participate in the Salary Loan Repayment Tape/Diskette project which allows the submission of the monthly summary of employees’ loan repayment thru a computer tape or diskette. This system provides employers with convenience and hastens the posting of member’s loan repayments.
   
   
8. advance SS and EC sickness benefits due their employees once these are approved by the SSS;
   
   
9. advance SS maternity benefits due to qualified female employees;
   
   
10. file for reimbursement for all legally advanced sickness and maternity benefits;
    
    
11. keep their employees updated on the changes in SSS policies and increases in their benefits;
    
    
12. ensure that all forms submitted are properly and accurately accomplished;
    
    
13. inform SSS of any change in company address, business name or temporary/permanent cessation of business operations through the submission of a duly notarized SSS Form R-8 ( Employer Data Change Request);
    
    
14. submit annually an updated SSS Form L-501 (Specimen Signature Card); and,
    
    
15. certify SSS-related documents for the employees when required for purposes of their claims.
    
    

What are the duties and responsibilities of a voluntary/self-employed member?
Self-employed/voluntary members should:

1. pay their monthly contributions using SSS Form RS-5 (Contributions Payment Return Form) monthly in accordance with the prescribed schedule;
   
   Beginning 01 January 2004, self-employed and voluntary members, including OFWs may change their MSC monthly. The change may be by one or two salary brackets without requiring the submission of documents to prove their earnings. In case the change will result to an MSC of lower than P5, 000.00, or where the change will result to more than the present MSC, a Declaration of Earnings must be submitted to support the new earnings. However, if the age of the member is 55 years or older and the present MSC is more than P10, 000.00, the allowed increase is only one salary bracket regardless of whether the supporting documents are submitted or not.
   
   For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the minimum MSC was increased from P3, 000.00 to P5, 000.00, or beginning 01 January 2004
   
   
2. update or correct their personal records with the SSS by submitting a duly filled-up SSS Form E-4 (Member’s Data Amendment) with supporting documents.
   
   
3. be conscious of changes and improvements in SSS policies and benefit structure.
   
   Self-employed and voluntary members may enroll in the Auto-Debit Arrangement System which allows the one-time enrollment of the employer’s bank account for the automatic payment of monthly SSS contributions and loan repayments. This arrangement is open at the United Coconut Planters Bank, Equitable/PCI Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., Philippine National Bank, Asia Trust Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, Development Bank of the Philippines; and more banks soon.