Need for and ways to comply with SSS program

This is in reference to the letter of Manuel Almario titled “SSS adopts scrapped onerous GSIS requirement” (Inquirer, 9/12/12). Almario cited his concerns regarding the Social Security System’s Acop (Annual Confirmation of Pensioners) program, which requires pensioners to report once a year to confirm their continuing eligibility for SSS pensions.

The SSS introduced Acop back in 2004 to ensure that only rightful members and beneficiaries get to receive their pension. The enhanced Acop, which started implementation this year, aims to further shield the pension funds of members from fraudulent claims. As of August 2012, thanks to Acop, the SSS has so far uncovered 1,284 pensioners no longer qualified to receive pensions, and thus is saving P3.37 million per month.

We are aware of the difficulties pensioners may face in complying with Acop. To make the process convenient, the SSS required pensioners to present themselves at their respective depository banks as a way of complying with the Acop requirement to maximize the banks’ extensive network of branches. After all, 99 percent of our pensioners receive their monthly pensions through savings accounts. Pensioners may also opt to go to the nearest SSS branch if any of our offices is more accessible to them.

We made special concessions for pensioners who are physically unable to travel due to medical conditions or old age by accepting requests for home visits. Pensioners based overseas or under confinement, such as those who are hospitalized or in nursing homes, may submit the required documents through mail or a representative.

Almario has proposed the coordination between SSS and the National Statistics Office (NSO) as among the “other reliable means to check whether a member has died.” But the pensioner’s death is only one of several conditions for cancellation of SSS pensions.

Under the law, SSS pensions must stop if the member recovers from disability or, if below age 65, becomes re-employed. Surviving spouses who remarry or cohabit become ineligible to the death pension, while minor children are no longer entitled to dependent’s pension when they turn 21, or when they enter employment, marry or cohabit before the age of 21. Many of these conditions are not reported to the NSO, except perhaps for marriage and death, which is why SSS and accredited banks interview pensioners during their Acop visit.

—MARISSU G. BUGANTE, vice president,

Public Affairs and Special Events Division,

Social Security System