The Social Security System (SSS) not only covers Filipino workers in the country, but those who are outside the country (i.e. overseas Filipino workers or OFWs) as well. These include OFWs in Kuwait, who can avail of the benefits offered by this state-run program.
Among the benefits provided by the SSS to its members are sickness, maternity, disability, and unemployment benefits. Upon retirement, benefits can also look forward to receiving a pension every month. Of course, while the member is working, it’s important for him/her to pay SSS contributions regularly.
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Kuwait OFW’s Guide to Paying SSS Contributions
If you are an OFW based in Bahrain, here’s all you need to know about Social Security System (SSS) membership, benefits, contributions, and payment options.
What is SSS?
The SSS is a social insurance program overseen by the Philippine government. It covers Filipino workers in the private, professional, and informal sectors — both inside and outside the country. SSS provides different types of benefits and services to its members and their dependents.
Vision and Mission
As stated in its official website, the vision and mission statements of the SSS are as follows:
Vision. “A viable security institution providing universal and equitable social protection through word-class service.”
Mission. “To manage a sound and viable social security system which shall promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden.”
Coverage for Overseas Filipinos
Membership in the SSS is mandatory for all overseas Filipinos, including land-based and sea-based OFWs. Land-based OFWs are regarded in the same way as “self-employed” workers or individual payors in the Philippines. Meanwhile, sea-based OFWs are regarded as employees of their manning agencies or “principals,” in accordance with the policies and regulations of the SSS.
When an OFW’s employment abroad comes to an end, he/she can continue paying SSS contributions as a voluntary member, so that he/she can maintain the rights to getting full SSS benefits.
As for overseas Filipinos that are immigrants, permanent citizens, or naturalized citizens in their host countries — they can opt to join the SSS as voluntary members.
Programs and Benefits
SSS members, including OFWs, are entitled to short-term as well as long-term benefits. Short-term benefits refer to maternity, sickness, unemployment, and funeral benefits. On the other hand, long-term benefits refer to retirement (pension), disability, and death benefits.
In addition to these benefits, members can apply for a salary loan, calamity loan, and pension loan — depending on their conditions and specific situations.
Contribution and Payments
For land-based OFWs, SSS contributions are determined based on their Monthly Salary Credit (MSC), which depends on their monthly earnings declared at the time of registration. Currently, the minimum MSC for land-based OFWs is PHP 8,000.
For sea-based OFWs, SSS contributions are based on their monthly salary as employees of manning agencies. This is the same as the process for private sector workers in the Philippines, whose contribution includes the employee’s plus the employer’s portions.
Video: Kwentong SSS OFW
The SSS Facebook page occasionally features a “Kwentong OFW” (OFW Story), where overseas Filipinos share about their experiences as SSS members. The following video features a Dubai-based OFW, Melanie Lopez, who talks about her SSS benefits:
Where to Pay SSS Contributions
There are two ways in which members can pay their contributions: online, or “over the counter” through an SSS branch office, bank or remittance company.
Over the Counter Payments
For self-employed or individual payors, they can pay their contributions at SSS Tellering Branches, Bayad centers, ECPay centers, SM Business Centers, USSC centers, and SSS partner banks.
For OFWs in Kuwai and other countries, they can pay contributions to branches and collecting partners of Asia United Bank, Philippine National Bank, Bank of Commerce, Ventaja, and Pinoy Express. These banks and remittance companies are overseas partners of the SSS.
Online Payment Facilities
If you don’t have time to make over the counter payments, you can always pay online. The MySSS mobile app accepts payments, as long as you have BPI online, Maya, GCash, or bank cards (i.e. American Express, JCB, Mastercard, and Visa).
Additionally, payments through the SSS website can be done through Billeroo and AltPayNet. Moreover, other online payment channels are PayRemit, Security Bank, Rewire, Shopee Pay, UnionBank, and Robinsons Bank mobile apps.
How to Pay SSS Contributions Online
The MySSS mobile is a convenient way to pay contributions. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play Store, create an account, then log in to start paying your SSS contributions!
Once you have created a MySSS account, follow these steps to pay your contribution:
- Open the MySSS mobile app, provide your MySSS user ID and password, then select “Sign In.”
- Choose “Generate PRN” to generate a Payment Reference Number. Click “Create,” then select “Generate.”
- Fill up the required fields (i.e. membership type, applicable period, SSS contribution amount), choose “Submit,” then “OK.”
- The screen will show your PRN. You can download a PDF copy of your PRN by clicking the download icon on the upper right corner. Click the back arrow to proceed with your payment.
- Select “Pay,” then choose “Credit Card/Debit Card” (other payment methods displayed include Maya, GCash, and BPI). Choose “OK,” then “Proceed.”
- Review the summary of payment details displayed onscreen.
- Provide your account details, then click “Complete Order.”
- Wait for your payment to be processed.
- Provide the One-Time PIN (OTP) that will be sent to your registered mobile number with the servicing bank, then select “Submit.”
- The screen will display “Payment Successful.” You can opt to receive the receipt by providing your email address or mobile number in the field on screen.
- The screen will display a notification regarding your successful SSS Mobile Payment.
- To check or confirm your payment, go to “Actual Premiums” on the MySSS app, which displays posted payments. You can also view the status of your payment on the app’s “Activity History.” That’s it!
NOTE: For SSS contributions covering the months of January to September, the deadline for payments is on December 31st of the year covered. On the other hand, contributions for the months of October to December should be paid on January 31st of the following year.
Contact Information: SSS Kuwait
The Social Security System (SSS) office in Kuwait is based in the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), which is the operating arm of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Kingdom. If you have any SSS-related questions, you can get in touch with the office through the following contact details:
Address: Building 256, Street 213, Block 2, Sabah Al Salem Area, Kuwait
Telephone: +965 6996 0266
Email: kuwait@sss.gov.ph
Website: https://kuwaitpe.dfa.gov.ph/the-embassy/sss
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSSKUWAITBRANCH/
Google Map Location:
Final Thoughts
When you are sick, pregnant, or suddenly unemployed, you can apply for benefits as an SSS member-OFW. When you retire, it’s also reassuring to know that you can receive retirement benefits. So make sure that you pay your SSS contributions regularly!
Speaking of OFWs, are you thinking about relocating to another place in Kuwait? If so, check out this article that features the best places to live as an expat in Kuwait.