Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 9) — The Social Security System is reminding pensioners to comply with its annual confirmation requirement, as failure to do so would result in suspension of their monthly benefits beginning May next year.
The agency resumed its Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) program last month to ensure that the social security payments only go to rightful beneficiaries. Those required to comply are survivor, dependent, and total disability pensioners, as well as retirement pensioners living abroad.
Atty. Marissa Mapalo, SSS member education head, told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon on Tuesday that the deadline for compliance is on March 31, 2022.
She clarified, however, that pensioners are no longer asked to personally appear at SSS branches. She said they may instead send requirements through electronic or registered mail, or via the agency’s drop box system.
Total disability pensioners may also use the drop box option or may opt to write a request for a home visit, Mapalo added.
Meanwhile, pensioners residing abroad may schedule a video conference, based on the SSS website.
Requirements include a duly accomplished ACOP form; one primary or two secondary identification cards; and a half-body photo that shows the beneficiary holding a current newspaper, or with television news as background wherein the news headline and date are visible.
Survivor pensioners must also submit a self-declaration form of non-remarriage or non-cohabitation. Those with total disability, on the other hand, should provide a recent medical certificate and a certified true copy of their laboratory results conducted within one year from their birth month.
“Kapag po tayo ay confined sa mga institution, sa iba lang po ito applicable, kailangan po ng certificate galing doon sa institution kung saan po siya confined,” Mapalo added.
[Translation: For those confined in certain institutions, they would also need to provide a certificate issued by the institution where they are confined.]
The ACOP program was suspended last year until Sept. 30, 2021 due to COVID-19 risks.
