More SSS updates available via SMS

MANILA, Philippines – More updates on Social Security System (SSS) pension benefits and other claims are now a text away.

SSS, the state-owned fund for private employees, has enhanced its existing short-messaging service (SMS) facility to include other information that members may want to access through their mobile phones.  

“We expanded our services to include inquiries on the status of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral claims,
as well as medical benefits under the Employees Compensation program, which SSS administers for private sector workers,” SSS Vice President for Member Services Mario Sibucao said.
 
The enhanced Text-SSS facility also provides the location of the branch nearest the inquiring member, as well as the list of required documents.

How to access

To access the facility, members seeking SSS coverage as overseas Filipino workers (OFW), self-employed individuals (SELF) or voluntary
members (VOL) can use Text-SSS services. They will be given a list of documents required to register when they send “SSS VOL >” to 2600.

To register, members can send their SSS number and birthdate using the format “SSS REG ” to 2600. Registered members will receive their Personal Identification Number (PIN) code, which is needed in Text-SSS transactions.

The service fee is P2.50 for Globe and Smart subscribers and P2 for Sun Cellular users. Members can get the list of keywords by sending
“SSS HELP” to 2600.

Inquiries

Launched in February 2010, the Text-SSS facility attracted 150,000 users. The facility provided members a faster and more convenient
means to inquire about their contributions, status of their loan applications and their loan balance.

“Text-SSS enables members to be in touch with SSS wherever they are,” Sibucao said. “It saves them time and money spent in going to SSS branches for inquiries. It also helps members and beneficiaries avoid making multiple visits to our offices because of incomplete requirements.”

The agency handles an average of 24,300 Text-SSS transactions every month.

For 2011, the pension fund posted a total of 291,600 Text-SSS transactions, with contribution inquiries comprising the biggest share
at 44%. – Rappler.com