Built for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) wrapping up their SSS journey—what you can claim, when you qualify, how to file from abroad, and how to fix records before you click “submit.”

1) Ground rules: how SSS works (and what it’s not)

Insurance, not a bank. You don’t “withdraw contributions” at will. You receive benefits when a legally defined contingency occurs (retirement, disability, death).
120-month hinge. With ≥120 posted monthly contributions, you typically qualify for a lifetime retirement pension. With <120, data-preserve-html-node="true" you generally receive a retirement lump-sum (and you may continue paying until you reach 120 before filing, subject to age rules).
OFW coverage = self-employed logic. You choose your Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) within limits (older members face caps on rapid increases), pay via overseas or online channels, and file claims remotely.
Tax. SSS retirement pensions are tax-exempt in the Philippines; foreign tax treatment follows the law where you live.

2) Retirement eligibility, at a glance

Age windows

Optional retirement: at 60; traditionally tied to being not gainfully employed at filing (affects when pension accrues).
Mandatory retirement: at 65—pension starts regardless of work status.

Contribution thresholds

Pension if ≥120 paid months at filing.
Lump-sum if <120; data-preserve-html-node="true" or continue paying as voluntary/OFW to reach 120 before you file (retroactive backpay is generally not allowed).

Late-career MSC jumps

Expect limits on sudden increases near/after age 55 without proof of income; SSS may cap your MSC step-ups.

3) What you can actually receive

Retirement benefit (core)
- Monthly pension (if ≥120 months) + 13th-month every December.
- Dependent’s pension: an increment for up to five minor/eligible children.
Provident tracks (if enrolled)
- WISP / WISP Plus balances—claimed separately; typically lump-sum or installments per program rules.
Accrued entitlements
- Unclaimed prior benefits (e.g., disability) may affect retirement; ask SSS to audit overlaps.

4) Prep work: clean your records before you file

One SS number only. If you somehow have multiple SSNs, merge them first (IDs + affidavits).
Identity & civil status. Align names across passport/UMID/PhilID and PSA certificates.
Contribution gaps. Compile receipts/bank slips for overseas payments; reconcile missing postings.
Employment history. Ensure PH employers reported you correctly; request copies of historical R3/R5 postings if needed.
Dependents & beneficiaries. Update spouse/children to avoid delays in dependent’s pension or survivorship flow.

5) Filing channels for OFWs

A) Online (My.SSS) — fastest

File the Retirement Claim Application (RCA).
Enroll payout via DAEM (Disbursement Account Enrollment Module) using an SSS-accepted Philippine bank/e-wallet account under your name.
Upload IDs and supporting PDFs/JPEGs (e.g., proof of separation if filing at 60, civil registry for dependents).

B) Through embassies/foreign posts/partners

Submit forms and certified document copies; identity is verified in person.
Provide a Philippine-based payout account (or as allowed by SSS arrangements).

C) Already 65+

File even if you delayed; pension accrues based on mandatory retirement rules once your claim is processed.

6) Documents you’ll likely need

Valid ID (passport; UMID/PhilID if available).
PSA Birth Certificate (member); PSA marriage and children’s birth certificates if claiming dependents.
Proof of separation from work/business (optional retirement).
Bank proof matching your DAEM enrollment (passbook/statement/e-certificate).
WISP/WISP Plus statements (if applicable).
For treaty totalization (see §7): foreign coverage certificates/employment proofs.

Keep scans clear (front/back), legible, and under the portal’s size limits.

7) Totalization with foreign systems (social security agreements)

If you worked in a country with a bilateral social security agreement with the Philippines, you may combine foreign coverage periods with SSS to qualify (e.g., reach 120 months). Each treaty states:

Which periods count and how they’re aggregated;
The liaison agency (who you file with);
That each system pays its own computed portion (no double-pay for the same period).

No treaty? You can still claim separately from each system; you just can’t combine months.

8) Payout, banking, and living abroad

Philippine bank credit is standard; some channels allow cross-border arrangements subject to SSS policies.
DAEM enrollment must match your name exactly.
ACOP (Annual Confirmation of Pensioners). If residing abroad, comply through SSS’ approved remote methods; non-compliance suspends pension until reinstated.

9) If you have <120 data-preserve-html-node="true" months when retiring

Expect a retirement lump-sum equal to your posted contributions (including employer shares for PH employment) plus applicable crediting.
You may continue as a voluntary/OFW member to reach 120 before filing; after you take the lump-sum, you can’t convert it later into a pension for the same coverage.

10) Interactions with other benefits

Disability → Retirement. Prior disability benefits can interact with retirement; avoid double-counting periods—SSS will net these out.
Death/Survivorship. If you pass away, eligible beneficiaries claim survivorship pension or death lump-sum depending on your coverage. Keep dependents updated.
Funeral benefit. Payable to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses (documentary proof required).

11) WISP & WISP Plus (if you paid into them)

Separate pots from the basic pension.
Claim upon retirement/disability/death per program rules—often as lump-sum or scheduled payouts.
File parallel requests if the portal doesn’t auto-trigger them with your retirement claim.

12) Special situations (and fixes)

Name mismatch / middle name variants. Submit IDs + PSA docs; ask SSS for record correction first.
Multiple citizenship / new surname. Update civil status/citizenship in SSS before filing to avoid hold.
Unposted OFW payments. Send receipts/remittance proofs; request manual posting.
Two SSNs from old days. Petition for merger; claims won’t pay out until reconciled.

13) Strategy: maximize value, minimize delay

Hit 120 months if you’re close—project lifetime pension vs. a one-time lump-sum.
Don’t over-inflate MSC late without income proof; it can be trimmed.
Enroll the correct bank early (DAEM errors are the most common cause of payout delays).
File at 60 only when you understand how “gainful employment” affects start of pension; many OFWs wait until separation or 65.
Bundle documents neatly: one PDF per requirement, named clearly.

14) Step-by-step (checklist you can follow)

Audit My.SSS: identity, employment, contribution months, WISP balances.
Fix any duplicates/names/gaps; update dependents/beneficiaries.
Decide: pension now vs. continue to 120 months; consider treaty totalization.
Enroll DAEM with a valid payout account under your name.
Prepare PDFs: IDs, PSA docs, separation proof (if at 60), bank proof.
File RCA online (or via embassy/partner); note your transaction/reference no.
File WISP/WISP Plus claims (if any) in parallel.
After approval, monitor crediting and do ACOP annually (especially abroad).

15) FAQs

Can I choose a lump-sum even if I qualify for a pension? Generally no—the retirement mode is pension, with limited commutation features if offered by SSS. The true lump-sum route is for those with <120 data-preserve-html-node="true" months.

I’m still employed overseas at 60—can I apply? You may, but accrual of pension depends on employment status rules. Many wait until separation or to age 65.

Can I backpay old missed months? Retroactive backpay is generally disallowed except in narrow programs. You can resume or increase prospectively (subject to MSC step-up rules).

Will my foreign pension reduce my SSS pension? No. Each system pays its own benefit. With a treaty, periods may combine for eligibility, but payments remain separate.

What if my bank rejects the credit? Fix DAEM (correct name/account type), re-enroll an accepted bank/e-wallet, and request re-credit.

16) Common pitfalls (avoid these)

Filing with name/SSN issues unresolved → processing hold.
Wrong payout account (not under your name / non-accepted channel) → failed credit.
Assuming refund of all contributions regardless of rules → mismatched expectations.
Skipping ACOP abroad → suspended pension.
Late MSC inflation without proof → downward adjustment.

17) Bottom line

For retired OFWs, everything turns on the 120-month rule, clean records, and a valid payout setup. If you’re short, consider continuing to 120 or explore treaty totalization. File online, keep documents tight, claim WISP/WISP Plus separately, and stay current with ACOP if you reside abroad. Do these right and your SSS retirement benefit will arrive smoothly—and pay for life.