SSS marks 2025 with pension reform and program upgrades; Looks forward to 2026

QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) capped off 2025 with the implementation of its Emergency Loan Program (ELP), marking a year of major reforms and expanded services that strengthened social protection for millions of Filipino workers and pensioners.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said 2025 marked a turning point for the state-run pension fund, citing reforms that delivered improved benefits, faster services, and wider coverage for members nationwide.

“This year was a turning point for SSS. Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and with the guidance of former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and current Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, we fulfilled our commitment to provide better benefits and programs, faster services, and broader coverage,” De Claro said.

Among the agency’s key accomplishments in 2025 was the rollout of the Pension Reform Program, which provides annual pension increases every September from 2025 to 2027. Under the program, retirement and disability pensioners receive a 10 percent increase, while survivor pensioners receive a five percent increase, benefitting an estimated 3.8 million pensioners.

Loan programs were also enhanced during the year, with the Salary Loan Program interest rate reduced to eight percent from 10 percent, benefitting more than 600,000 member-borrowers. The Calamity Loan Program interest rate was lowered to seven percent with faster activation, assisting around 630,000 borrowers. Meanwhile, the Pension Loan Program was introduced, allowing retiree pensioners to borrow up to P300,000 and survivor pensioners up to P150,000, benefitting more than 30,000 pensioner-borrowers.

SSS also implemented the Emergency Loan Program, offering a seven percent interest rate and a six-month moratorium on loan repayment to more than 26,000 members affected by calamities.

In support of digital transformation, SSS issued the MySSS Card with dual functionality as a valid SSS ID and automatic enrollment as a disbursement account. Nearly 10,000 cards have been received by members, while close to 100,000 disbursement accounts have been enrolled.

To expand coverage, SSS rolled out the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program, led by Double Dragon Corporation, which committed P18.2 million to subsidize contributions of 2,000 informal sector workers in Iloilo City and Roxas City. The agency also accredited 25 cooperatives as Coverage and Collection Partners, extending SSS services to more than 200,000 cooperative members.

SSS further partnered with government agencies to register job order and contract of service workers not covered by GSIS, resulting in the registration of over 500,000 workers, with more than 200,000 regularly paying contributions. Nationwide Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations were likewise intensified to ensure employer compliance.

Looking ahead to 2026, De Claro said the agency will continue implementing existing programs while developing new ones, strengthening member services, and expanding its footprint both locally and overseas.

The second tranche of the Pension Reform Program is set for September 2026, /PR