What you need to know & how to claim SSS death benefits

The Philippine Social Security System (SSS) grants cash aid to its deceased member`s beneficiaries through monthly pension or lump sum paid under the agency`s SSS Death Benefit program.

Want to claim the benefit of a recently deceased beloved who is a member of SSS? Check out below and find out the eligibility, requirements, and process of the claim.

Eligibility and beneficiaries

Primary beneficiary/ies:

• Dependent spouse until they remarry;
• Dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted and illegitimate children below 21 years old, not gainfully employed, not married.

Secondary beneficiary/ies:

• Dependent parents

Primary beneficiaries will receive a monthly death pension of the deceased member who had paid at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of passing.

If a deceased member  paid less than 36 monthly dues prior to the semester of death, their primary beneficiaries  receive a lump sum.

: Without  primary and secondary beneficiaries, the designated or statutory heirs are considered.

Note. The death benefit does not expire. As long as the listed  beneficiaries are present, they may qualify for the benefit. benefit amount

The deceased member's eligible primary beneficiary  will receive the monthly death benefit and the 13th month benefit in December of each year.

If the member has dependent minor children, they are given a Dependent`s Pension equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member`s monthly pension, or Php 250, whichever is higher. Moreover, only five (5) minor children, beginning from the youngest, may claim this benefit. Note: No substitution is allowed.

The minimum monthly Death Pension is Php 1,000 if the member had less than ten (10) Credit Years of Service (CYS); Php 1,200 if with at least ten CYS; and Php 2,400 if at least 20 CYS plus a Php 1,00 additional benefit effective January 2017.

Required documents

See below for the required documents needed upon claiming the benefit.

SSS Application Forms

• Death Claim Application (part 1 & 2)
• Sinumpaang Salaysay
• Affidavit (SSS Form CLD – 1.3 A) for primary and secondary beneficiary claimants
• Affidavit (SSS Form CLD – 1.3) for designated and legal heir claimants

Supporting documents for Primary beneficiaries:

• Death Certificate of Deceased Member
• Marriage Certificate of Deceased Member
• Birth/Baptismal Certificate of Dependent Children
• Single Savings Account (Passbook or ATM)

Supporting Documents for Secondary beneficiaries:

• Death Certificate of Deceased Member
• Marriage Certificate of Parents of the Deceased Member
• Birth certificate of Deceased Member
• CENOMAR of Member

Supporting Documents for Designated beneficiaries:

• Birth Certificate of claimant (plus marriage certificate) if payee is a married female (PSA copy or certified true copy issued by LCR)
• Birth certificate and CENOMAR of deceased member (if single)
• Death Certificate of member’s spouse (if member is a widow/widower)
• Death Certificate of member’s parents (if single)

Supporting Documents for Legal Heirs beneficiaries:

• Birth Certificate of claimant (plus marriage certificate) if payee is a married female (PSA copy or certified true copy issued by LCR)
• Birth certificate and CENOMAR of deceased member (if single)
• Death Certificate of member’s spouse (if member is a widow/widower)
• Death Certificate of member’s parents (if single)
• Death Certificate of other deceased legal heirs (to equally divide benefits to living heirs only)

Death claim application submission guide

Unfortunately, applying to claim the deceased member`s death benefit is not yet available in the My.SSS portal and should be done in person at any SSS branch or representative office near you.

However, you may set an appointment for a visit via the online portal.

To do this, log in to your My.SSS portal (or through the account of the deceased if credentials are available). Hover over the main menu Member Info > select Appointment System > choose Death Claim Application and the location of the nearby SSS branch.

Once done booking, make sure to take note of the date, time, and schedule ticket, and show this when visiting the branch to avoid inconvenience.

Subject to the terms of the SSS, the death benefits, together with the SPF pension fund and total disability, must be credited to the Eligible Participant's beneficiary's bank account  within three (3) business days  of the benefit entitlement being approved.