No more annual confirmation for old retirees: SSS exec

Retiree pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) who are 84 years old and above are no longer required to do the annual confirmation, an official of the agency said.(Photo: Philippine Social Security System/ Facebook)

MANILA – Retiree pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) who are 84 years old and above are no longer required to do the annual confirmation, an official of the agency said.

“The waiver of the ACOP (annual confirmation of pensioners) requirement for retiree pensioners here in the Philippines is one of our ways to bring better quality service to our members. This new guideline will allow our pensioners to save time and money,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dooc said in a statement.

However, pensioners who are abroad and have total disability still need to do the ACOP. The same goes for the survivor pensioners and minor or incapacitated dependent pensioners.

Dooc said the agency would instead conduct a verification procedure to confirm whether pensioners are still alive and are entitled to receive benefits.

Implemented in 2012, the ACOP program ensures that pensioners receive the benefits themselves and not by other people. It requires pensioners to report annually to SSS or their depository banks to ensure the continuous payment of their benefits.

SSS will do mandatory home visits to check pensioners who are 85 years old and above, and survivor pensioners who cannot report personally due to sickness, illness, or injury.

SSS also advised pensioners residing abroad to use the ACOP through video conference facility for easier and faster compliance.

Non-compliance with ACOP would result in the automatic suspension of pension a month after the birth month of the pensioner or SSS member, the agency said.