SSS launches new voluntary retirement plan

MANILA, Philippines - The Social Security System (SSS) launched yesterday a new voluntary retirement savings plan in an effort to supplement the savings in the provident fund.

SSS president and CEO Emilio S. de Quiros Jr said the new program called the SSS Personal Equity and Savings Option (SSS PESO) fund is an alternative and tax-free investment that would help members accumulate adequate income in retirement and earn a reasonable rate of return.

Savings in this new fund are invested in sovereign guaranteed investments, where 65 percent of the total fund is allocated for retirement, and 35 percent is for medical and general purposes.

 “The portion for retirement is guaranteed to earn income based on interest rates of five-year Treasury yields, while earnings of the fund allotted for medical and general purposes will be based on 364-day Treasury bill rates,” De Quiros said.

Aside from the guaranteed earnings, De Quiros said SSS PESO Fund members may also get excess earnings which will be credited automatically to their accounts, depending on the actual year-end performance of the fund.

 “SSS PESO savings can be used to supplement the benefits available under the regular SSS program. It offers guaranteed earnings based on rates higher than those at brick-and-mortar banks.” De Quiros said.

All members below 55 years old with six consecutive SSS contributions within the last 12 months prior to enrollment and have not yet filed final claims with the SSS are eligible to join the program.

Qualified members can participate for a minimum contribution of P1,000 up to a maximum of P100,000 per year.

 “One’s membership will start upon receipt of first contribution. Succeeding SSS PESO Fund contributions can be made anytime as long as there is a corresponding SSS contribution on the month of contribution,” De Quiros said.

De Quiros said self-employed, voluntary and OFW members should be paying the maximum SSS contribution to qualify.

“They will also need to pay the maximum SSS contribution for the month they are to save in the SSS PESO Fund,” he added.

SSS PESO accounts will be charged a one-percent administration fee annually.

Savings in SSS PESO fund can be withdrawn upon the member’s effective date of retirement or total disability with the SSS either in monthly pensions over a minimum period of 12 months and P1,000 payment per month, in lumpsum, or combination of both.

 “In case they incur a need to withdraw funds early, they may only touch the portion of their equity allocated for medical and general purposes, and it will be subject to penalties and service fees if withdrawn earlier than five years,” De Quiros said.

If a member died before the maturity of his SSS PESO savings or eexpiration of the pension period, the member’s beneficiaries will receive the savings in the form of death benefit to be paid in lumpsum, he added.