SSS plans to raise pension benefits by 10%

THE Social Security System is planning to increase by 10 percent pension benefits among pensioners.

Emilio S. de Quiros, SSS president and chief executive officer, said the plan had been submitted to the SSS board and was subject for its approval.

Quiros said he couldn’t give a specific date for the proposal’s approval and when it would be implemented.

The SSS has at least 1.5 million pensioners.

Quiros was in Cebu recently to discuss the government agency’s new programs.

These include amending the guidelines for business and social loans under the Omnibus credit line which started in July, the new enhancements on the SSS website, and the issuance of new SSS identification cards.

Quiros said SSS members could use the SSS website to secure downloadable forms for remittances and payments for employers, and provide secured profile for employers and employees.

He said about 1.2 million current SSS members had already registered online.

The SSS has already started issuing the new SSS ID cards, which is a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification Card (UMID).

The new SSS ID can be used for Philhealth and Pag-ibig transactions.

He said the new ID was free for new members.

New members, who want to avail of the new ID, will have to pay P300.

He said SSS had to outsource another company for the data capture information process resulting to the more expensive new ID. /Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell