SSS eyes new local, overseas branches next year

CEBU, Philippines — Wider access to its services awaits members of the Social Security System (SSS) in 2026 as it sets its sights on expanding its presence locally and abroad, a vision anchored in ending the year with the rollout of key reforms and loan programs.

In a statement, SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro assessed 2025 as a “turning point” for the agency, citing major achievements in pension reforms, loan program enhancements, expanded coverage, and digital transformation.

To De Claro, SSS programs were carried out under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and were guided by former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and current Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go.

“We delivered on our promise to provide better benefits and programs, faster services, and wider coverage for our members,” De Claro said in a statement.

Among the highlights of SSS’ accomplishments in 2025 was the launch of the Pension Reform Program, which provides annual pension increases from 2025 to 2027 for 3.8 million pensioners, including a 10 percent increase for retirement and disability pensioners and five percent for survivor pensioners.

The agency also enhanced several loan programs, including the Salary Loan Program, Calamity Loan Program, and Emergency Loan Program, all featuring reduced interest rates and faster access to financial assistance.

New initiatives such as the Pension Loan Program and the issuance of the MySSS Card further expanded benefits and improved service delivery.

SSS also widened membership coverage through partnerships with cooperatives, private corporations, and government agencies, registering hundreds of thousands of workers, including job order and contract of service employees not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

For next year, SSS said 2026 will focus on expanding its footprint nationwide and overseas to ensure that no Filipino worker is left behind.

The agency plans to open ten new SSS branches across the country and establish Foreign Representative Offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, catering to the growing number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in these areas.

“These expansions will allow us to bring SSS services closer to our members, both here and abroad,” De Claro said, adding that improving physical access to SSS services remains a key priority alongside digital platforms.

SSS will also continue the second tranche of the Pension Reform Program in September 2026, granting another round of pension increases. The Emergency Loan Program will remain available until December 9, 2026, or until calamity declarations are lifted.

The agency is likewise preparing to roll out a microloan program in early 2026 following the approval of its guidelines by the Social Security Commission.

The program will offer short-term loans with a 15- to 90-day tenor and an interest rate of eight percent per annum, aimed at providing a safer alternative for members with urgent cash needs.

To support expanded operations, SSS plans to hire about 1,800 new personnel in 2026, bolstering frontline services both onsite and through digital channels.

Other initiatives under consideration include partnerships with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program, special coverage programs for gig economy workers, and a contribution subsidy program for 2,000 OFWs through a P28.8-million commitment from Double Dragon Corporation.

“Looking back at 2025 and forward to 2026, we remain committed to making SSS relevant in the life of every Filipino at every point in their lives,” De Claro said.

De Claro added that their goal remains to provide quality social protection, strengthen member services, and promote the value of saving for the future. — (FREEMAN)