SSS Death Benefits – The Social Security System (SSS) is a government agency that provides social protection programs to Filipinos. One of the programs that SSS offers is the Death Benefit, which provides financial assistance to the family of a deceased SSS member. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about SSS Death Benefits.
What are SSS Death Benefits?
SSS Death Benefits are financial assistance provided by the Social Security System to the primary beneficiaries of a deceased SSS member. These benefits aim to help the family cope with the financial burden brought about by the member’s death.
The amount of the benefit depends on the member’s contributions and the number of eligible beneficiaries. The primary beneficiaries who are eligible to receive SSS Death Benefits are the legal spouse and dependent children of the deceased SSS member.
In case the member has no legal spouse or dependent children, the benefits will be given to the dependent parents of the member. The benefit can be paid either in a lump sum or in monthly pensions, depending on the primary beneficiaries’ preference.
To claim the benefit, the primary beneficiaries must submit the necessary documents to the nearest SSS branch and wait for the SSS to process their claim.
Who are eligible to receive SSS Death Benefits?
The primary beneficiaries who are eligible to receive SSS Death Benefits are the legal spouse and dependent children of the deceased SSS member. In case the member has no legal spouse or dependent children, the benefits will be given to the dependent parents of the member.
The legal spouse must be validly married to the SSS member at the time of his or her death. On the other hand, the dependent children must be legitimate, legitimated, or legally adopted by the member.
If the deceased member has no primary beneficiaries, the benefit will be given to the secondary beneficiaries, who are the dependent brothers or sisters of the member who are unmarried and not gainfully employed. It is important to note that only the designated beneficiaries can claim the SSS Death Benefits.
How to claim SSS Death Benefits?
To claim SSS Death Benefits, the primary beneficiaries must submit the following documents to the nearest SSS branch:
- Death certificate of the SSS member
- SSS ID or two valid IDs of the primary beneficiaries
- SSS ID or two valid IDs of the representative, if the primary beneficiaries cannot claim the benefit personally
- Funeral receipt or any document showing the cost of the funeral expenses
- After submitting the documents, the primary beneficiaries must wait for the SSS to process their claim. The processing time usually takes 10-30 days.
In case there are any missing or incomplete requirements, the SSS will notify the primary beneficiaries for additional documents or information.
How much are the SSS Death Benefits?
The amount of benefit for SSS Death Benefits is determined by the member’s monthly pension and the number of primary beneficiaries. If the member had less than ten (10) Credited Years of Service (CYS), the minimum monthly Death Pension is P1,000. For those with at least ten (10 CYS), the minimum is P1,200. And for those with at least twenty (20) CYS, the minimum is P2,400.
In addition to the Death Pension, the primary beneficiary is also entitled to a 13th Month Pension every December. If the member has dependent minor children, they are given a Dependent’s Pension equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the member’s monthly pension, or P250.00 whichever is higher.
However, only five (5) minor children are entitled to the Dependent’s Pension starting from the youngest, and no substitution is allowed. Effective January 2017, an additional benefit of P1,000 is also given. In some cases, other supporting documents may be requested depending on the claim.
The benefit can be paid either in a lump sum or in monthly pensions. The primary beneficiaries can choose which mode of payment they prefer.
Also read: SSS Retirement Benefits
What are the modes of payment for SSS Death Benefits?
After the primary beneficiaries have filed a claim for the SSS Death Benefits and it has been approved, they can choose between two modes of payment. The first option is a lump sum payment where the full amount of the benefit is paid in a single transaction. This option is suitable for beneficiaries who need immediate financial assistance to cover expenses related to the death of the SSS member.
The second option is a monthly pension, where the benefit is paid in portions over a specific period. This mode of payment is appropriate for beneficiaries who prefer a steady stream of income for a longer period. The amount of the monthly pension depends on the age of the primary beneficiary and the number of eligible dependents.
To choose between the two modes of payment, the primary beneficiaries must consider their financial needs and their long-term plans. They can make the selection upon filing the claim, and the chosen mode of payment cannot be changed after the benefit has been released.
Overall, the SSS Death Benefits provide financial assistance to the family of a deceased SSS member, and the modes of payment offer flexibility to the beneficiaries in how they receive the benefit.
Conclusion
SSS Death Benefits provide financial assistance to the family of a deceased SSS member. The amount of the benefit depends on the member’s contributions and the number of eligible beneficiaries. The primary beneficiaries who are eligible to receive SSS Death Benefits are the legal spouse and dependent children of the deceased SSS member.
In case the member has no legal spouse or dependent children, the benefits will be given to the dependent parents of the member. To claim the benefit, the primary beneficiaries must submit the necessary documents to the nearest SSS branch. The benefit can be paid either in a lump sum or in monthly pensions.