Definition

A cash benefit paid either in monthly pension or as lump sum to the beneficiaries of a deceased member.

Types of Death Benefits

  1. Monthly pension – a lifetime cash benefit paid to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid at least thirty-six (36) monthly contributions before to the semester of death.
  2. Lump sum benefit – a one-time cash benefit paid to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. In the absence of the primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit.

 

Eligible Beneficiaries

The death benefit is granted to the primary beneficiaries of the deceased member. These are the dependent spouse, until he/she remarries, and the dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the member who are unmarried, not gainfully employed and not yet 21 years old or if over 21 years old, provided they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.

In the absence of primary beneficiaries, the death benefit is granted to the dependent parents of the deceased who are considered as secondary beneficiaries.  In their absence, any other person designated by the member in his/her SSS records. If there is no designated beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid to the deceased member’s legal heirs in accordance with the law of succession under the Family Code of the Philippines.

Benefit Details

Amount of Benefit

Monthly Pension                       

The amount of monthly pension will be the highest of:

  1. 300 + (20% x AMSC*) + (2% x AMSC) x (CYS** – 10); or
  2. 40% x AMSC; or
  3. Minimum pension of P1,000 if the member had less than ten (10) CYS; P1,200 if with at least ten (10) CYS; or P2,400 if with at least twenty (20) CYS, whichever is applicable. 

 *AMSC (Average Monthly Salary Credit)
**CYS (credited Years of Service)

 

Lump Sum Amount

The primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who had paid less than 36 monthly contributions shall be entitled to lump sum benefit, which shall be the higher of:

  • Monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions paid prior to the semester of death; or
  • Twelve (12) times the monthly pension.

The secondary beneficiaries of the deceased member shall be entitled to a lump sum benefit equivalent to:

  • 36 times the monthly pension – if the member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death; or
  • Monthly pension times the number of monthly contributions paid or twelve (12) times the monthly pension, whichever is higher – if the member has paid less than 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.

 

Benefit Payment

The death benefit, either in the form of a monthly pension or a lump sum amount, is paid thru the beneficiary’s UMID card enrolled as ATM. If without UMID card enrolled as ATM, the beneficiary shall have other options to receive their benefits thru PESONet Participating Banks/E-wallet/Remittance Transfer Companies (RTC)/Cash Payout Outlet (CPO).

For beneficiary/claimant confined in an institution such as penitentiary, correctional institution or rehabilitation center, the monthly pension shall be paid thru check.

           

Other benefits

The deceased member’s primary beneficiaries who are receiving monthly pension are also entitled to a 13th month pension payable every December and the funeral benefit, which is paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member.

All survivorship pensioners shall also receive P1,000 additional benefit payable every month effective January 1, 2017.

NOTE: 

  • If the deceased member has not paid any single contribution, are the beneficiaries still entitled to the death and funeral benefits?

 In cases where the deceased member has no monthly contribution/s but was duly reported for coverage, the deceased member’s beneficiary/ies shall be entitled to funeral benefit only.

 

Dependent’s Pension

The dependent legitimate, legitimate, legitimated or legally adopted and illegitimate children conceived/legally adopted/legitimated on or before the date of death of the member will each receive a dependents’ pension equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension or P250, whichever is higher. This is paid for each dependent child but not exceeding five (5) in number beginning with the youngest and without substitution.

In cases where there are five (5) or more dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted and illegitimate children, the dependent legitimate, legitimated and legally adopted children shall be preferred.

Dependent’s pension shall stop once the dependent child:

  •   Dies;
  •   Marries;
  •   Is gainfully employed; or
  •   Reaches 21 years old, except if they are incapacitated and incapable of self-support due to physical or mental disability which is congenital in nature or acquired during minority.

 

Possible deductions from the Death benefit

1. All unpaid short-term member loans of the deceased member, whether or not the term of payment has expired as of contingency date, shall be deducted in full from the proceeds of the benefit payments.

The date of contingency shall be the cut-off date for charging interest and penalty.

2. Overlapping sickness, maternity and partial disability benefits after the month of death;

3. Settled unemployment benefit in the event of the following: 

  1. When the involuntarily separated employee files a case/complaint against his/her employer and the final and executory resolution thereof showed:
    1. that substantive and procedural due process was complied with in the termination of employment based on any of the just cause/s under Article 297 (282) of P.D. No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended; or
    2. that the case/complaint resulted in re-instatement of the involuntarily separated employee with payment of backwages; and
  2. When the employee is rehired or re-employed within the compensable period, or within two (2) months from the date of involuntary separation. 

4. Pensions paid after the death of the deceased retiree/permanent total disability pensioner; and overpayment/undue payment of benefit to the member or his/her beneficiaries.

How to File

Applications for the death benefit may be filed over the counter (OTC) at any SSS branch office.

Required Documents

Present the original and submit photocopy of valid identification (ID) cards/documents for authentication purposes and present original/certified true copy and submit photocopy of supporting documents:

A. Basic Documentary Requirements

  1. Death Claim Application Form/Death Claim Application under Portability Law
  2. Member’s/Claimant’s Photo and Signature Card, if claimant has not been issued a UMID card
  3. Death Certificate of deceased member duly registered with the Local Civil Registry (LCR) or issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), if without settled funeral benefit.

If member died abroad, submit Death Certificate of deceased member issued by the Vital Statistics Office/County of Host Country or its equivalent or Report of Death issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General.

  1. UMID card enrolled as ATM or disbursement account from Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating banks/disbursement channels of the following:
    •   Passbook
    •   ATM card with name of claimant and account number
    •   Validated initial deposit slip
    •   Duly signed Bank Certificate/Statement issued within three (3) months prior to filing of claim with the following information:
      • Complete name of claimant
      • Savings account number
      • Bank branch
      • Complete bank address
    • UBP Quick Card
    • E-Wallet such as PayMaya, screenshot of the mobile app containing the full name and mobile/account number
    • RTCs/CPOs such as MLhuillier, mobile/account number

Notes:

    1. If ATM card of claimant is still under maiden name, submit Marriage Certificate.
    2. If claimant cannot open a single savings account or apply for a debit/cash card, submit written request for exemption from the Pensioner’s Remittance Program stating reason for the exemption.
    3. For cash cards issued by banks, please ensure that the bank allows the use of the same for SSS disbursement

5. Claimant’s ID cards/documents with photo, signature and underwent biometric data capture process, any of the following:

  •   UMID card
  •   SS ID card
  •   Alien Certificate of Registration
  •   Driver’s License
  •   Firearm Registration
  •   License to own and possess firearms
  •   National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  •   Permit to carry firearms outside of residence
  •   Postal Identity card
  •   Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (Seaman’s Book)
  •   Voter’s ID card

In the absence of primary ID card/document, filer must present the original and submit photocopy of any two (2) secondary ID card/documents, both with signature and at least one with photo.

 

B. Additional Documentary Requirements

If filed by Primary Beneficiary/ies (dependent legal spouse and dependent children) and is/are not reported in the deceased member’s Personal Record (E1/E4/RS1/ OW1/NW1) and/or there is discrepancy in information

  1. Marriage certificate of deceased member duly registered with the LCR or issued by the PSA

If married abroad

    • Marriage Certificate with English translation issued by foreign government or Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General
  1. Birth certificate of dependent child/ren duly registered with the LCR or issued by the PSA

If dependent child is born abroad

    • Birth Certificate issued by foreign government or Report of Birth issued by Philippine Embassy or Consulate General

 

If filed by Secondary Beneficiary/ies (dependent parents)

1. Birth Certificate of deceased member duly registered with LCR or issued by the PSA, if parents is/are not reported in the deceased member’s Personal Record (E1/E4/RS1/OW1/NW1) and/or there is discrepancy in information

2. Death Certificate duly registered with LCR or issued by the PSA of the following, whichever is applicable:

    1. Spouse, if deceased member is a widow/widower at the time of death
    2. Dependent child/ren
    3. Parent, if one of the parents is already deceased

3. Marriage Certificate of parents duly registered with LCR or issued by the PSA, if date of death of member is prior to 24 May 1997

 4. Affidavit attesting to the parent’s dependency for support from the deceased member (Prescribed Form)

Note: If the deceased member died at the age of sixty-five (65) years or above, death certificate of parents is no longer necessary.

 

If filed by designated beneficiary/ies (any other person designated by the deceased member in his/her Member’s Record)/Legal Heirs

1. Death Certificate duly registered with LCR or issued by the PSA of the following, whichever is applicable:

    1. Spouse, if deceased member is a widow/widower at the time of death
    2. Dependent child/ren
    3. ParentsNote: If the deceased member died at the age of sixty-five (65) years or above, death certificate of parents is no longer necessary.
    4. Other designated beneficiary/ies, if filed by designated beneficiary
    5. Legal heirs (in accordance with the law of succession under the Civil Code of the Philippines), if filed by legal heirs

Note: If deceased member is not yet 65 years old at the time of death but his/her parents are at least 65 years old, death certificate of grandparents are no longer necessary

2. Birth Certificate of the deceased member.

3. Joint Affidavit (CLD-1.3) preferably by the relatives of the deceased member

4. For legal heirs, birth certificate of at least two (2) legal heirs

 Note:

  • Documents issued in a foreign country should have English translation. Authentication by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General is not required if said documents are duly received and signed by the SSS Foreign Representative, Foreign Office.
  •   For claims filed abroad, photocopy of supporting document/s may be presented and submitted in the absence of the original/certified true copy, to be duly received and signed by the SSS Foreign Representative, Foreign Office.

 

Additional documents if filed by authorized representative of the claimant/s

  1. Two (2) valid ID cards/documents of the claimant and representative (refer to standard list of ID cards/document) s; and
  2. Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by the claimant or Special Power of Attorney (SPA) specifically stating the authority to file and/or sign for and in behalf of the claimant.

Note: LOA/SPA should have been made or executed within six (6) months if in the Philippines and one (1) year if abroad

 

C. Supporting Documents

In the absence of the Death Certificate

  1. Certificate of non-availability issued by the PSA/LCR or issued by foreign government indicating that death records of the office/agency concerned is intact but there is no record of death for the deceased member; and
  2. Certification of death issued by the parish/church; OR, Certification of burial issued by the cemetery administrator; OR, Certification of cremation.

 

In the absence of Marriage Certificate

  1. Certification of non-availability from PSA/LCR or issued by foreign government indicating that marriage records of the office/agency concerned is intact but there is no record of marriage for the requesting party; and
  2. Certificate of marriage issued by the parish/church/ministry/congregation/sect/other religious organizations/LGU/other person authorized to administer marriage OR Alien Certificate of Registration showing name of spouse

In the absence of the certificate of marriage:

    •  Certification of non-availability from the parish/church/ministry/congregation/other religious organizations; and
    •  Affidavit/Certificate of solemnizing officer stating the date and place of marriage and reason for non-registration, together with authority to administer marriage, if applicable OR Joint affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons who witnessed the marriage; and
    •  If with children, birth certificate of at least two (2) children wherein under both documents, the names of parents and the date and place of marriage are indicated

 

In the absence of Birth Certificate

  1. Certification of non-availability from PSA/LCR or issued by foreign government stating that birth records of the office/agency concerned is intact but there is no record of birth for the requesting party; and
  2. Baptismal/Dedication certificate or its equivalent issued by the parish/church/ministry/congregation/sect/other religious organizations (with date of birth of child and name of parents)

In the absence of the baptismal/dedication certificate or its equivalent:

    •  Certification of non-availability from parish/church/ministry/congregation/sect/ other religious organizations; and
    •  Any of the following documents where the name of dependent, date of birth and the name of parents are indicated:
      • School cards/record of dependent
      • Educational/insurance plans/health card record
      • Employment records of member
      • PhilHealth/GSIS/Pag-IBIG records
      • Income Tax Return of Member
      • Member’s record duly received by SSS prior to May 1997

Note: Baptismal/dedication certificate or its equivalent certificate must bear the original signature of the parish priest/head of church/ministry/congregation/ sect/other religious organizations or his authorized signatory, as well as the date of birth and the name of the parents.

 

Additional document if deceased member is married abroad and has previous marriage in the Philippines, whichever is applicable

  1. Certificate of finality of the judgment of annulment/nullity of marriage or annotated marriage certificate
  2. Certificate of naturalization prior to marriage abroad and decree of divorce after acquiring foreign citizenship, or its equivalent

 

Additional document if spouse has been separated in fact/legally separated from the deceased member (not living as husband and wife)

  1. Joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably nearest relatives of the deceased member who have personal knowledge of the separation stating the reason thereof and the fact of spouse’s dependency for support upon the deceased member and that the surviving spouse must not be the ground who gave ground for separation; or
  2. Affidavit of surviving spouse with undertaking stating that he/she has no known relative of the member, or that surviving spouse is not in good terms with the deceased member’s relative; or
  3. Court declaration that the member-spouse should continue to support the surviving spouse and that the surviving spouse must not be the one who gave ground for the separation.

 

Additional document for legally adopted children and birth certificate is without annotation

  • Decree of Adoption and Certificate of Finality of Judgment

Note: Date of adoption should be prior to date of death

 

Additional document if dependent child is incapacitated

Medical certificate issued by the attending physician (with license number, contact number and address of clinic/attending physician) within three (3) months from the date of filing of claim confirmed/certified by the Medical Specialist of SSS Physical Examination Centers (PECs)

 

Additional document if dependent child is under guardianship

  1. In-Trust for savings account
  2. Member’s/Claimant’s Photo and Signature Card of guardian, if guardian has not been issued a UMID card
  3. Application for Representative Payee and Guarantor’s Bond Form, if guardian is other than the surviving legal spouse of the deceased member

 

If dependent child is illegitimate and is not acknowledged by the deceased member in the birth certificate (in case dependent child is not reported in member’s Personal Record)

         Any proof of filiation, such as, but not limited to:

    1. Will Statement made before any judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings
    2. Any authentic writing signed by the father (e.g. letter, diary, or other document such as school records, employment records and other public records)
    3. Joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably nearest relatives of the deceased member as proof of acknowledgment/admission of paternity
    4. Duly received membership data record by other government agencies like PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, GSIS etc.

 

Additional document for claimant other than primary beneficiary, and the surviving spouse has abandoned the deceased member or cohabited/remarry or entered into a “live-in” relationship before or after the death of deceased member

  • Joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably nearest relatives who have knowledge of the case stating the reason thereof and the fact of the spouse’s dependency for support upon the deceased member

 

If claimant is filing pursuant to an existing Bilateral Social Security Agreement (SSA)

  1. Liaison forms as provided for under the Administrative Agreement of the Bilateral SSA with the following information:
    •   claim application details
    •   insurance periods under the SS Law of other country
  1. Photocopies of two (2) valid IDs of claimant certified by counterpart liaison agencies as provided for under the Bilateral SSA, in lieu of the claimant’s photo and signature

 

Additional document if claimant is applying under the Portability Law

  • Certificate of total contributions issued by the GSIS including the period of contributions

 

Additional document if cause of death is work-connected

  1. Report of Death (BPN-105)
  2. Any of the following documents as proof that cause of death is work-connected:
    •   Pre-employment medical records, if cause of death is due to illness
    •   Statement of duties and responsibilities duly signed by the employer
    •   Mission/Jon or Travel order duly signed by the employer, if applicable
    •   Photocopy of page in company logbook/record of accident signed by the employer/print out of electronic file
    •   Police investigation report of employer’s report of injury, death or casualty spot report, if applicable
  1. If company was already closed, joint affidavit of two (2) co-workers of deceased member who have personal knowledge of the accident or injury and attesting that said accident or injury which caused the death of the member was work-related
  2. If with dependent illegitimate children, joint affidavit of two (2) persons preferably relatives of the deceased member that the deceased member and the common-law spouse have no legal impediment to marry