SSS urges barangay officials to join, contribute to pension fund

The Social Security System (SSS) is pushing for the inclusion of barangay officials nationwide in the social pension system.

In a news release on Thursday, the SSS said its president and CEO Rolando Macasaet had spoken with barangay officials who attended the Liga ng Mga Barangay’s National Congress on August 13 in Pasay City.

Macasaet called on barangay officials to become SSS members and receive a lifetime monthly pension when they retire from public service.
 
“Many of our barangay officials and workers serve their constituents for 10 or 20 years. However, when they retire from public service, they do not get any separation pay or monthly pension. Now, through the SSS membership, we are offering you an opportunity to get a monthly pension when you retire from being a barangay official,” said the SSS chief.
 
Macasaet urged barangay officials to secure an SS number and start paying their monthly contributions so they would automatically get social security coverage from SSS.
 
The SSS chief also told them to pay at least 120 monthly SSS contributions to receive a lifetime monthly pension once they have retired.
 
“Even if you pay your monthly SSS contributions intermittently, that is fine. If you continue to pay until you reach at least 120 monthly contributions, you will have a pension for life,” said Macasaet.
 
The pension fund chief said that they should consider contributing to the SSS as an investment in their future.

“Aside from retirement benefits, you will be entitled to sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, funeral, and death benefits,” he said.
 
Macasaet said that barangay officials can also take advantage of various SSS loan programs, such as salary and calamity, and get additional coverage from the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness or injury resulting in disability or death. — VBL, GMA Integrated News