How to Claim SSS or GSIS Death Benefits in the Philippines

A practical, legally grounded guide (Philippine context).

This article explains, end-to-end, how surviving families (or the person who paid for the funeral) can claim death-related benefits from the Social Security System (SSS) or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), including who qualifies, what to prepare, where to file, how benefits are computed at a high level, special situations (e.g., mixed government/private service, work-related deaths), and common pitfalls. It cites the governing laws in plain language and keeps amounts/formulas generic to avoid outdated figures.

1) First things first: Which agency covers the deceased?

SSS covers private-sector employees, kasambahay, OFWs, self-employed, voluntary members, and job-order/contract-of-service workers in government (who are not GSIS members).
GSIS covers most career government personnel and many GOCC employees (unless specifically under SSS).
If the deceased had both private and government stints at different times, both systems may be relevant (see Totalization in §9).

2) What benefits are available?

Under SSS

Death Benefit
- Monthly pension (survivorship) for eligible primary beneficiaries if the member satisfied the minimum contribution requirement; otherwise
- Lump-sum (one-time cash) if contribution minimum for pension is not met.
- Dependent’s pension (a small add-on) for up to five eligible minor/disabled children, on top of the basic survivorship pension.
Funeral Benefit
- A separate cash benefit for whoever paid the funeral (may be the spouse, a child, or even a non-heir). OR/contract is required.
Employees’ Compensation (EC) Death Benefits (if death was work-related)
- EC monthly survivorship (separate from SSS regular death benefit) and an EC funeral grant.

Under GSIS

Survivorship Pension
- For the legal spouse and dependent children when a pensioner dies, or when an active member dies and service conditions for survivorship are met.
- Children may also receive a dependent’s pension (capped count).
Cash Payment (Lump-sum)
- Payable in cases where survivorship pension conditions aren’t met (e.g., insufficient service), or in combination with survivorship in some scenarios under GSIS rules (e.g., guaranteed period balances).
Funeral Benefit
- Fixed grant (amount set by GSIS rules) payable to the person who paid the funeral.
Employees’ Compensation (EC) (for work-related deaths)
- Separate EC survivorship and EC funeral benefits via GSIS.

Tax note: Statutory SSS/GSIS benefits are generally not subject to income tax. Estate tax rules may still apply to the deceased’s estate, but SSS/GSIS death/survivorship benefits themselves are typically excluded from gross income.

3) Who can claim? (Beneficiary hierarchy & eligibility)

Definitions that matter

Primary beneficiaries (take first priority):
- Legal spouse (until remarriage) and dependent children (legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and—subject to agency rules—illegitimate children), who are minor (usually under 21) or incapacitated.
Secondary beneficiaries (only if no primary beneficiaries):
- Dependent parents.
Others (only if no primary/secondary):
- Designated beneficiaries on record (where recognized), or otherwise legal heirs per the Civil Code.

Notable nuances

Common-law partners are not “primary beneficiaries” under SSS/GSIS statutes. They may still claim the funeral benefit if they paid, and in rare cases be legal heirs if qualified under civil law and in the absence of primary/secondary beneficiaries.
Separated in fact but still legally married → the legal spouse remains a primary beneficiary (survivorship stops upon remarriage).
Illegitimate children may be entitled, but sharing versus legitimate/adopted children follows agency-specific rules. Agencies compute the split.
Minor/disabled children: benefits stop on 21st birthday (or earlier on marriage/adoption/employment); permanently incapacitated children may continue subject to medical proof.

4) Do we qualify for pension or only lump-sum?

SSS: A monthly survivorship pension is payable if the deceased met the minimum number of paid monthly contributions (longstanding rule: monthly pension becomes possible once a baseline number of contributions is reached; otherwise, lump-sum). If the deceased was already an SSS pensioner, the primary beneficiaries generally receive the survivor’s pension based on that pension.
GSIS: Survivorship pension usually requires that the deceased was already a pensioner or, if dying in service, had sufficient service to qualify. Otherwise, cash payment may apply.
EC (SSS/GSIS): If work-related, EC survivorship can be on top of the regular SSS/GSIS benefit.

Exact thresholds, floors, and pesos change over time. Agencies apply the current schedule when you file.

5) What documents do we need? (Checklists)

Core proofs (both SSS and GSIS)

Proof of death: PSA-issued Death Certificate (or LCR/Coroner with PSA endorsement).
Valid IDs of claimant(s) and the deceased; UMID if available.
Proof of relationship (as applicable):
- Marriage Certificate (PSA) for spouse;
- Birth Certificates (PSA) for children; adoption papers if adopted;
- Deceased’s Birth Certificate for parent-claimants;
- For illegitimate child, proof of filiation (e.g., birth certificate naming the member, acknowledgment, or paternity/maternity evidence).
Bank details for electronic disbursement (e.g., PESONet-participating account/UMID-ATM for SSS; eCard/UMID for GSIS).
Claim forms: the system-specific Death/Survivorship application forms (plus data update forms if records need correction).

Extra for the Funeral Benefit

Official Receipt(s) and funeral contract showing who actually paid.
Sometimes: photos/program, burial/cremation permits.

Extra for Employees’ Compensation (EC)

Medical/accident reports, employer’s accident report, police/incident report if applicable, and documents showing the death was work-related (injury in the course of employment or compensable occupational disease).

For minors receiving benefits

Agency form for guardian payee; if amounts exceed agency limits, a court guardianship order may be required.
School/enrollment certificate or medical proof for incapacity, if claiming extended eligibility.

Data corrections (e.g., misspelled names, unreported marriage/children): file member data amendment with PSA civil registry proofs first; this often unlocks otherwise delayed claims.

6) Where and how to file

SSS

Identify the claim types you’ll file: Death, Funeral, and EC (if work-related).
File online (where available via My.SSS) or at an SSS Branch (set an appointment if required).
Present original IDs/PSA docs; submit forms; enroll the correct bank account for benefit crediting.
Non-beneficiary funeral claimants file separately for the funeral grant with the OR.
Keep your claim reference number and copies.

GSIS

Go to a GSIS Branch (or use GSIS digital channels where available) and file a Survivorship (and Funeral) claim; include EC if work-related.
If the deceased was a pensioner, bring the pension info/eCard details.
For active members who died, GSIS will determine whether survivorship pension vs. cash payment applies, based on service.

From overseas: claims can be lodged through Philippine posts/representatives with SPA (special power of attorney) and authenticated documents.

7) How benefits are computed (plain-English overview)

SSS

The basic survivorship pension is derived from the deceased member’s average monthly salary credit (AMSC) and credited years of service under SSS formulas.
Dependent’s pension: each eligible child typically gets an additional percentage of the basic pension (capped number of children).
If the deceased didn’t meet the contribution threshold, lump-sum applies (agency computes, often referencing contributions and/or notional pension).
13th-month pension (paid in December) practices and minimum floors are agency-set and may change; the agency applies whichever is in effect.
Funeral benefit: a separate fixed/scheduled amount (not deducted from death benefits).

GSIS

If the deceased was a pensioner, the survivorship pension is based on that existing pension (subject to dependent add-ons, caps, and rules).
If death in service, GSIS checks years of service and average monthly compensation (AMC) to determine survivorship vs. cash payment (some plans have a guaranteed-period balance).
Dependent’s pension for eligible children is available (capped).
Funeral benefit: fixed per GSIS schedule, separate from survivorship.

EC (both systems)

EC survivorship is computed separately from regular SSS/GSIS and is in addition where the death is compensable.

Agencies will give you the official computation after filing. Keep expectations flexible; rules (floors, caps, minimums) are periodically adjusted.

8) Deadlines (prescriptive periods) & follow-through

File as early as possible.
Regular SSS death claims: historically allowed within a relatively long window (commonly understood to be up to 10 years);
EC (work-related) claims: historically shorter window (commonly 3 years).
GSIS survivorship/cash claims: file promptly to avoid delays and any applicable prescription.

These time limits come from statute and EC rules. When in doubt, file now and let the agency determine timeliness.

After approval (ongoing duties)

Proof-of-life compliance for payees (e.g., periodic appearance or certification) to avoid pension suspension.
Report: remarriage of the spouse; a child turning 21; employment/marriage/adoption; a change in guardian or bank account.

9) Special situations & advanced topics

Work-related death (EC): You may receive both the regular SSS/GSIS death benefit and EC survivorship/funeral (they are distinct programs).
Mixed careers (SSS + GSIS): RA 7699 (Portability/Totalization Law) lets you combine creditable service/contributions across SSS and GSIS to qualify when neither system alone suffices; each system pays its pro-rated share. Lodge the claim with the system of last coverage or as directed by either agency’s totalization desk.
Illegitimate and legitimate children together: entitlement exists for both classes of children, but sharing rules are technical and agency-specific. The agency will compute the exact apportionment.
Common-law partner: may claim funeral if they paid, and inherit only if recognized as a legal heir under civil law and absent primary/secondary beneficiaries; not a statutory primary beneficiary under SSS/GSIS.
Separated/annulled marriages:
- Annulment/nullity finalized before death → former spouse not a beneficiary.
- Separated in fact (no annulment) → legal spouse remains primary (until remarriage).
Guardianship: If a child’s benefit exceeds administrative thresholds, agencies may require court-appointed guardian and bonding.
Disputed claims: Agencies will interplead or hold payment pending resolution (e.g., competing spouses, paternity disputes). DNA or court orders may be required.
Overseas death: Secure foreign death record plus Philippine consular authentication/PSA annotation.
Data mismatches (e.g., “Jose/Joseph”, wrong birthdate): fix via civil registry corrections (PSA/LCR) and member data amendment first.

10) Step-by-step quick guides

SSS – Death/Survivorship

Confirm coverage (SSS) and list all possible primary beneficiaries.
Fix records first (names, dates, marriage/children in SSS data).
Prepare Death Certificate, IDs, Marriage/Birth certificates, bank details, and claim form.
File the Death Claim (branch or online where available).
If work-related, file EC simultaneously (with employer incident report/medical proofs).
Separate funeral claim: the payer files with OR.
Monitor claim; comply with any proof-of-life requirements once on pension.

GSIS – Survivorship

Verify GSIS coverage and whether the deceased was a pensioner or died in service.
Gather Death Certificate, IDs, Marriage/Birth certificates, service records (if any), and bank/eCard info.
File Survivorship (and Funeral, EC if applicable) at GSIS.
Respond to any requests on service computation (for in-service deaths) or dependents’ proofs.
Once approved, comply with annual revalidation as directed.

11) Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Unreported marriage/children → causes denials/suspensions. Update member data with PSA proofs.
Wrong bank account (non-PESONet/incorrect name) → bounced credits. Use an account in the payee’s name that meets agency rules.
Late EC filing → EC denial. File EC as soon as you suspect work-relation.
Overlooking illegitimate/adopted children → later disputes/overpayments. Disclose all potential dependents.
Skipping guardianship where required → delayed child benefits. Ask early if a court order is needed.
Relying on photocopies → bring originals for authentication.

12) Mini-FAQ

Q: Can we receive both SSS (or GSIS) death benefit and EC survivorship? A: Yes, if death is work-related, EC is in addition to the regular program.

Q: I paid the funeral but I’m not a spouse/child/parent. Can I get reimbursed? A: Yes. The Funeral Benefit is payable to the payer, regardless of heir status (submit the OR and funeral contract).

Q: When does the spouse’s survivorship stop? A: On remarriage (and, in some cases, cohabitation per agency rules). Agencies require notice.

Q: Do we need to pay taxes on the pension? A: Statutory SSS/GSIS death/survivorship benefits are generally tax-exempt from income tax. (Estate tax is a separate matter for the decedent’s estate.)

Q: The deceased worked in government, then in private sector. Can we claim from both? A: Possibly. Totalization (RA 7699) lets you combine service to qualify and receive pro-rated benefits from each system.

13) Legal bases (plain-English pointers)

SSS Law: RA 8282 as amended by RA 11199 — death, disability, retirement, contributions, beneficiaries.
GSIS Law: RA 8291 — survivorship, cash benefits, service requirements.
Employees’ Compensation: PD 626 and rules — work-related death benefits through SSS/GSIS.
Portability/Totalization: RA 7699 — combining SSS and GSIS creditable service.
Family Code & Civil Code — heirs and filiation (used if no statutory beneficiaries).

14) Practical checklist (print-friendly)

Identify coverage (SSS, GSIS, or both; EC if work-related).
List all primary beneficiaries (spouse + all eligible children).
Fix data errors (names, dates, marital/child entries).
Gather PSA civil docs and valid IDs.
Prepare bank/eCard in the payee’s name.
Funeral payer prepares OR/contract.
File Death/Survivorship (and EC, Funeral) with the right agency.
Track and comply with proof-of-life/reporting duties (remarriage; child turning 21).
Keep copies of all submissions and the claim reference.

Final note

Rules on minimum contributions, benefit floors, and fixed funeral amounts are periodically updated by SSS and GSIS. The structure above stays the same, but peso values and some thresholds move. When you file, the agency will apply the current schedule and give an official computation. If you want, tell me your situation (SSS or GSIS, who the survivors are, and whether the death was work-related), and I’ll tailor this into a step-by-step filing plan and checklist just for your family.