SSS urged to delay premium increase

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker urged the Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday to delay the implementation of the 13-percent premium hike that is set to be implemented in January next year.

“Maybe we can delay it? At least until our workers are able to bounce back from the hardships being caused by the pandemic and the subsequent economic crunch,” Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said in a statement after the SSS said it would increase its monthly contributions from 12 percent to 13 percent starting January 2021. But Gaite cited a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that at least 48 percent of Filipino families feel that they are poor while at least 4 million families have experienced involuntary hunger.

“They won’t go bankrupt if they delay the additional contribution. In fact, its net income jumped to 224 percent in 2019,” he said, adding that the agency’s 8-percent revenue decline in September this year could be easily remedied through a more efficient collection.

The lawmaker urged SSS to “read the room” as many Filipinos are struggling due to high inflation rate and the pandemic’s impact on the economy.

“Let us help our citizens recover. They are struggling, let us not add to their burden,” he said. INQ