In this article, we will go through the details of the SSS Death Benefits as well as the process of filing and claiming the SSS Death Benefits after the unfortunate circumstance of a family member’s passing. Given that the deceased family member is a member of SSS as well as a regular contributor to their benefits funds. Read further to find out everything you need to know about the SSS Death Benefits.
What is the SSS Death Benefit?
The SSS Death Benefit is a cash benefit that’s paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased SSS member. It’s paid either in monthly pension or lump sum.
What are the two types of Death Benefits?
There are two types of death benefits the beneficiaries of the deceased SSS member can avail. These two are:
- Monthly Pension
The monthly pension is granted to only the primary beneficiary of the deceased SSS member who paid 36 monthly contributions to the SSS before the semester of their death.
- Lump Sum
The lump sum is granted to the primary beneficiary of the deceased SSS member who had less than 36 monthly contributions to the SSS before the semester of their death. Secondary beneficiaries of the deceased SSS member are also entitled to a lump sum benefit.
Who are eligible beneficiaries of the SSS Death Benefit?
There are two types of beneficiaries of the deceased member’s SSS Death Benefits. These types of beneficiaries are:
- Primary Beneficiaries – the primary beneficiaries of the deceased SSS members are their legal spouse (which ceases when they are remarried), dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the deceased member who are all under the age of 21. The children of the deceased member who are over the age of 21 can still be a primary beneficiary if they are incapacitated or incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental disability that is congenital in nature or acquired when they were minors.
- Secondary Beneficiaries – the secondary beneficiaries are chosen in the absence of primary beneficiaries. This can be the dependent parent. If there are no dependent parent, the next option would be a designated beneficiary by the deceased member on their SSS records (E1 or E4). If there is no designated beneficiary, the deceased member’s legal heir under the law of succession under the Legal Code of the Philippines shall be given the deceased member’s SSS Death Benefits.
How much is the monthly pension?
The deceased member’s monthly pension depends on their paid monthly contribution, credited years of service (CYS), and the number of their dependent minor children that should not exceed five.
The monthly pension is whichever the highest amount that resulted from these three formulae:
- The sum of 300 PHP, 20% of the average monthly salary credit, and 2% of the average monthly salary credit for each CYS in the excess of 10 years.
- 40% of the average monthly salary credit.
- 1000 PHP is the CYS is less than 10; 1200 PHP if the CYS is at least 10; or 2400 PHP if the CYS is 20 or more.
How much is the dependent’s allowance?
If the deceased member is survived by less than five of their dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted minor children, their illegitimate minor children shall be entitled to 50% of the dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted minor children’s basic pension as well as 100% of the dependence allowance.
The illegitimate member of the deceased member shall only be given 100% of the basic pension plus the dependence allowance if the deceased member has no dependent legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted minor children.
Dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate children of the deceased member conceived on or before their death each shall receive a dependent’s allowance equivalent to either 250 PHP or 10% of the deceased member’s monthly pension.
Only five minor children, beginning from the youngest, shall be given a dependent’s allowance. There will be no substitution allowed. If the deceased member has more than five legitimate and illegitimate children, legitimate children will be prioritized.
How to is the monthly pension paid?
The monthly pension is paid through the beneficiary’s designated bank. The beneficiary has the option to choose their preferred bank that is nearest to their residence where they can receive their pension benefits. The beneficiary’s ability to designate their preferred bank is possible under the mandatory program called “Mag-impok sa Banko” effective on September 1, 1993.
The beneficiary must open a single savings account at their preferred bank and upon the filing of the application at the SSS, must submit their savings accounts number and a copy of their passbook or ATM card. For authentication purposes, the original passbook or ATM card must be presented.
Upon the approval of the Death claim, the SSS will mail the beneficiary a notice voucher with the information when they can withdraw their benefits from their designated bank.
Other benefits the beneficiaries can avail
Survivorship pensioners before the effectivity of RA 7875 on March 4, 1995, are entitled to hospitalization benefits under PhilHealth. They need to register to PhilHealth and must submit a DRR-print-out that should indicate that the type of claim is survivorship in nature as well as the effectivity date of the pension. If the DRR-print-out is not available, they can also submit a copy of a Death/Survivorship Certificated issued by the SSS that indicates the effectivity of the pension.
Survivorship pensioners under the effectivity under the RA 7875 on March 4, 1995, and thereafter are no longer covered.
The beneficiaries of the deceased member are also entitled to a 13th-month pension that is payable every December as well as a funeral benefit that is paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member.
How much is the lump sum?
The lump sum benefit will be granted to the primary beneficiaries of the deceased member who has paid less than 36 monthly contributions to the SSS. The lump sum amount will be the higher of either:
- The monthly pension multiply by the number of monthly contributions paid before the semester of death.
- 12 times the monthly pension.
The secondary beneficiary of the deceased member shall be entitled to a lump sum amount equivalent to:
- 36 times the monthly pension if the deceased member has paid at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death.
- Whichever is higher between the monthly pension multiplied by the number of monthly contributions paid or 12 times the monthly pension. This is applicable if the members paid less than 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death.
What is a funeral grant?
A funeral grant or funeral benefit became effective on September 1, 2000, in which whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member or pensioner will be granted 2000 PHP by the SSS.
Required documents for death claims
The following are the required documents to file for a Death Benefits claim to the SSS:
- Duly completed Death Claim Application (SSS Form DDR-1.3A)
- If the claimant is a secondary beneficiary, a duly completed Affidavit of Death Benefit (SSS Form CLD-1.3A)
- Filer’s Affidavit (Sinumpaang Sanaysay)
- Other Affidavit, whichever is applicable:
- Joint Affidavit between Two (2) Disinterested Persons (SSS Form CLD-1.3), if the claimant is a legal heir or a designated beneficiary.
- Application for Appointment as Representative Payee (SSS Form CLD-15), if the claimant is a guardian.
- Report of Death (SSS Form BPN-105), if the cause of death is work-related.
- Claimant’s photo, signature form, and valid IDs
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates of minor children, if the claimant is the spouse of the deceased member
- The deceased member’s birth certificate and marriage certificate of parents, if the deceased member is single
- A certified true copy of the deceased member’s Death Certificate
- If the deceased member died abroad, the Death Certificate must be issued by a vital/statistics office or other equivalent agencies and is certified by the Philippine Embassy/Consultant
- For pension – Single savings account passbook or ATM card with a validated deposit slip or Cash Card Enrollment Form (including a photocopy and a presentation of the original for validation purposes.
It should be noted that other documents may be required if they are found necessary for the processing of the SSS Death Benefits Claim.
Required documents for funeral claims
The following are the required documents to claim the SSS Funeral Benefits:
- Duly completed Claim for Funeral Benefits (SSS Form BPN-103)
- Death certificate duly certified by local Civil Registrar
- Receipt of payment issued by the funeral parlor
- Affidavit of funeral expenses
- Report of Death (SSS Form BPN-105), if the cause of death is work-related.
- Claimant’s photo, signature form, and valid IDs
It should be noted that original or certified true copies of the required documents should be presented during the filing of the claims.
Where to file and claim the death or funeral benefits
The filing and claiming of the death benefits or funeral benefits can be done at any nearby SSS branch or representative offices.
References:
Death Benefit (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/appmanager/pages.jsp?page=deathpension
How to Claim SSS Benefits (Philipphines) – Death Beneficiary. (2014, August 27). Retrieved from https://sssbenefits.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-claim-sss-benefits-philippines.html
SSS Death Benefit: Requirements and How to Claim. (2014, May 31). Retrieved from https://www.coolbuster.net/2014/05/sss-death-benefit-requirements-how-to-claim.html
