“Halina na kabayan, sali na kayo!” With these words, Roberto “Bobby” V. Roldan, SSS Representative in Toronto, Ontario is extending his government corporation’s invitation to Filipino Canadians in Ontario to register and/or re-enlist as a member of the Philippine Social Security System to enjoy the benefits and privileges, most especially receiving retirement pensions, under the new “Overseas Filipino Workers SSS Coverage Program.”
In an interview with the engaging Pinoy SSS officer, R. V. Roldan strongly encourages prospective pensioners to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to support and join the System and be covered by the Program in order to receive loan privileges, pension and other related benefits now and in the future. Roldan said that it is not “only a sound financial investment move but also a way of helping your relatives back home and our bayang sinilangan in general.”
Registered members, new or old, are entitled to various benefits and privileges, after meeting qualifying conditions for entitlements such as: sickness, maternity, retirement, disability, death or funeral benefits and salary or housing / housing repair- improvement loans.
The membership is open to all Filipinos who are of any of the following immigration status: naturalized Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary foreign worker, live-in caregiver, visa student, or employees of foreign- based companies.
In order to qualify as a new member, one must be: 1) a Philippine-born Canada-based resident, and 2) at least 18 -but- not over 60 years old by time of registration. Thus, children of immigrants and citizens who grew up in Canada are eligible to start their membership. For previous SSS members, to resume an old or “stalled” membership, one must re-register and be willing to continue paying monthly contributions.
To register, one must secure and complete the “Overseas Record Form” (SSS Form OW1) at: SSS Toronto Representative Office, Philippine Consulate General, 160 Eglinton Avenue East, Room 202, Toronto or download from SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph. Submit the Form with any copy of the following documents: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Driver’s Licence, Passport, OHIP Card, or SSS Card. Old Pensioners are now required to submit in person their “Annual Confirmation of Pensioner Forms thru the Toronto branch.
Coverage of a member takes effect upon payment of the first monthly contribution. The monthly contributions will be based on the monthly earnings or one’s financial capacity ranging from Php 550 to Php 1,760 per month or its equivalent in Canadian dollars. To ensure higher benefits and privileges, one can continue to pay monthly contributions until the age of 60 (optional) or 65 years old (mandatory).
SSS contributions or loan amortizations may be paid through any of the accredited Philippine banks or remittance centres such as PNB Global Remit or IRemit in Toronto. January to December contribution payments are due anytime during the applicable year.
At this point in time, if one is due for retirement for example and has met the qualifying condition of 120 monthly contributions or 10 credited years of service (CSY), the minimum monthly pension is Php 1,200 to Php 3,680; with 20 years CYS, it is from Php 2,400 to Php 6,390/ mo. plus 13th month pension. If less than 120 monthly contributions, the Retiree will receive a Lump Sum of total contributions paid plus interest. A Survivor’s pension is calculated at about 90% of the Retiree’s monthly pension entitlement. The monthly pension shall be deposited under the Retiree’s Philippine bank of choice.
For further inquiries and information on other member benefits and loans, one may contact the SSS Toronto Representative at Tel. 416-485-2999 or Email: roldanrv@sss.gov.ph. “Tara na, sali na tayo para pag-uwi o pag-bakasyon natin sa Pinas, may nakahandang baong pera na tayo.” “Buti na lang may SSS!”