MANILA – The Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday said it has raised its maximum amount of funeral benefits to PHP60,000 to incentivize active membership.
It noted that the implementation of the enhanced guidelines for the Funeral Benefit Program started on Oct. 20.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the provision of funeral benefits to claimants will also be streamlined “especially for surviving legal spouses.”
The claimants of deceased members with 36 or more monthly contributions may receive a variable amount from PHP20,000 to PHP60,000 in SSS funeral benefits under the new guidelines.
However, this depends on the member’s number of paid contributions and average monthly salary credit.
The funeral benefit for members who paid at least one but less than 36 monthly contributions up to the month of death shall be a fixed amount of PHP12,000.
“As we continue to pursue the provision of meaningful social security protection through simpler, faster, and more convenient processes, we also want to emphasize that actively paying SSS contributions will not only enable our members to qualify or remain qualified to our benefit and loan programs but also allow them to attain higher and better benefits,” Macasaet said.
The enhanced funeral benefit shall cover embalming services, burial transfer services and permits, funeral services (including church fees or its equivalent in other religions), cremation or interment services, purchase or rent of coffin, purchase, or rent of niche/cemetery/memorial lot/columbarium, and memorial/funeral insurance plan.
The funeral expenses as indicated in the proof of payment, shall also be reimbursed, but not to exceed the computed funeral benefit due.
The prescriptive filing period of applications for funeral benefits will be 10 years from the month of death of the member or pensioner, subject to terms and conditions as may be determined by the SSS.
SSS member-claimants are advised to file their funeral benefit applications online through their My.SSS account. Non-member claimants may file their applications at any SSS branch. (PNA)
