1. Social Security Protection of OFWs through the Social Security System ATTY. JOSE SONNY G. MATULA Social Security Commissioner Presentation to the FFW Symposium on Migration, February 10, 2007, Regency Inn, Davao City

2. Outline of Presentation • SSS Mission and Vision • Reaching out to OFWs • Bilateral Agreements • Voluntary OFW Coverage • SSS Foreign Representative Offices • OFW Coverage and Collection

3. The SSS Mission • To promote social justice and provide meaningful protection to members and their beneficiaries against hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, and death resulting in loss of income or financial burden through a sound and viable social security system

4. The SSS Vision • Viable • Universal • Equitable • World-class service

5. Reaching out to OFWs • SSS’ two-pronged approach: Social Security Bilateral Agreements Voluntary OFW Coverage Program Voluntary Flexi-Fund Program

6. Bilateral Agreements • Existing Agreements • Austria (1982) • United Kingdom (1989) • Spain(1989) • France (1994) • Canada (1997) • Quebec (1998) • Netherlands (2001) • Switzerland (2001) • Belgium (2001) • South Korea (2005)

7. Bilateral Agreements • Salient Features • Mutual assistance • Equality of treatment • Export of social security benefits • Totalization of membership periods

8. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Milestones • Started Voluntary OFW Coverage in 1995 • Forged MOA with DFA/DOLE in 1997 • Started deployment of SSS representatives in foreign countries in 1998 • Who are covered? • Any OFW not over 60 years old, whether previously an SSS member or not

9. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • First-time Registration • Secure an Overseas Worker Record Form (OW-1) from an SSS office or download the form from the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) • Submit the form with any of the following documents (original and photocopies): • Birth Certificate l Driver’s License • Baptismal Certificate l Seaman’s Book • Valid Passport l PRC Card

10. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • No need for OFW registration if already a prior member with an existing SS number • OFW registration needed only for those who wish to join the Flexi-Fund Program • Effectivity of Coverage • Upon payment of first monthly contribution • Basis of Monthly Contribution • Monthly earnings, set minimum of P5,000

11. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Monthly Contribution Rate • 10.4% of the OFW’s salary, not exceeding P15,000 per month • Minimum: P 520 • Maximum: P1,560

12. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Accredited Collecting Banks / Tie-ups - Allied Bank - LBC Bank - Asiatrust Bank - Metrobank - Bank of the Phil. Islands - Philippine National Bank - Equitable-PCI Bank - RCBC - Export and Industry Bank - Security Bank - International Exchange Bank - United Coconut Planters Bank - Land Bank - Bank of Commerce - Chinabank - Development Bank of Phils. - Asia United Bank - East-West Bank

13. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Benefits • Retirement • Disability • Death • Funeral • Sickness • Maternity

14. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Retirement • Cash benefit, in either monthly pension or lump sum, paid to a member who can no longer work due to old age. Qualifications: 1) 60 years old, separated from employment or ceased to be self employed. 2) 65 years old, whether employed or not. 3) Has paid at least 120 monthly contributions before semester of retirement.

15. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Disability - Cash benefit, in either monthly pension or lump sum, paid to a member who becomes disabled, either partially or totally. Qualifications: 1) suffering from partial or total disability. 2) with at least one month contribution paid to SSS prior to the semester of contingency. Less than 36 premium payments = LUMP SUM 36 or more premium payments = PENSION Dependent’s Pension is given to qualified minor children of a totally disabled pensioner

16. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Death • Cash benefit, in either monthly pension or lump sum, paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased member. • Pension - payable to primary beneficiaries of a member who has paid 36 or more premium payments prior to the semester of contingency. • Lump sum - payable to primary beneficiaries of a member who has paid less than 36 premium payments. Payable also to the secondary beneficiaries. • Dependent’s Pension - payable to qualified minor children (not more than five) of a death pensioner.

17. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Funeral • a funeral grant of P20,000 is given to whoever paid the burial expense of the deceased member.

18. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Sickness • A daily cash allowance paid to a member for the number of days he is unable to work due to sickness or injury. • The cash allowance is equivalent to 90% of average daily salary credit, for a maximum of 120 days per year. Qualifications: 1) Unable to work due to sickness or injury. 2) Confined at home/hospital for at least 4 days. 3) With at least 3 premium payments within the last 12 months before the semester of contingency. 4) Must have notified the SSS.

19. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Maternity • A daily cash allowance granted to a female member who is unable to work due to childbirth or miscarriage. • The cash allowance is equivalent to 100% of member’s average daily salary credit granted for 60 days for normal delivery or miscarriage or 78 days for caesarian delivery (for first 4 deliveries/miscarriages only) Qualifications: • Must have notified the SSS. • With at least 3 premium payments within the last 12 months before the semester of contingency.

20. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Loans • Salary • Housing • House Repair & Improvement • Business Development

21. Voluntary OFW Coverage Program • Flexi - Fund (National Provident Fund) • Provident Fund for OFW-members that allows them to save part of their earnings abroad for future needs • Offers flexible payment terms, high-interest and tax-exempt earnings through secure/risk-free investments Benefits: • Retirement • Disability • Death • Early Withdrawal

22. Foreign Representative Offices

23. *Jan-Sept. only Chart 1: No. of Registered OFWs (Cumulative)

24. In Million Pesos *Jan-Sept. only Chart 2: OFW Collections for the Year

25. End of Presentation THANK YOU!!!