How a retiree can get pension while abroad

This has reference to the letter of Natividad Guevara asking for the transfer of her pension from Bank of the Philippine Islands to TD Canada Trust.

Guevara said: “I sent an e-mail to ssemail@info.com.ph and to gonzaloep@sss. gov.ph to request the transfer of my monthly SSS pension from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to TD Canada Trust. As a permanent resident in Canada, I cannot personally renew my ATM card for my savings account for my SSS pension every year. My going back to the Philippines to renew my ATM card is very costly and impractical. My e-mail to ssemail@info.com.ph and to gonzaloep@sss.gov.ph was undelivered. I do not know the cause of the failure to deliver it. Through the Inquirer, I hope my request will reach SSS and be given prompt and kind attention by the SSS itself.”

Guevara’s request did not reach the SSS for the following reasons:

The e-mail address gonzaloep@sss.gov. ph belongs to a former employee who has retired from the service. Our address available for members is member_relations@sss. gov.ph not ssemail@info.com.ph.

Guevara’s request to transfer her pension to TD Canada Trust is not possible because we have not accredited any bank abroad. But Guevara can apply for the China Trust Visa Cash Card which can be used in withdrawing pension overseas. Her monthly pension, which will be deposited to the Visa Cash Card, will be automatically converted to the currency of the country where she is a resident.

Guevara needs to submit the following documents so that the SSS can process her application for China Trust Visa Cash Card:

DDR-2 (Pensioner’s Data Change Request Form)

China Trust Visa Cash Card Application Form. (We can send this form and the DDR-2 to Guevara if she prefers.)

Photocopy of SSS ID. If she does not have an SS Card, photocopy of two valid IDs both with signature and at least one with photo.

Photocopy of passport

We will get in touch with Guevara via her e-mail to assist her regarding her request.

—JOEL P. PALACIOS,

assistant vice president,

Media Affairs Department,

Social Security System