This article explains—in practical, legal, and procedural terms—how survivors can claim Social Security System (SSS) death benefits and funeral benefits in the Philippines. It covers eligibility, beneficiary hierarchy, documents, filing pathways, computation basics, common pitfalls, special cases, and remedies.

1) What benefits may be claimed upon a member’s death?

Death Benefit (Survivorship)
- Form: Either a monthly pension or a lump-sum amount, depending on the member’s contribution record and the presence of eligible “primary beneficiaries.”
- Who receives it: The member’s primary beneficiaries (see §2). If there are no primary beneficiaries, the benefit may be paid to secondary beneficiaries (dependent parents). If none, payment goes to designated beneficiaries or legal heirs as a lump sum.
Funeral Benefit
- Form: A fixed amount reimbursing the person who paid for the funeral/burial. The payor (not necessarily an SSS beneficiary) files this separately from the death benefit.
- Who receives it: The payor of funeral expenses (individual or funeral parlor authorized by the family).

A family may claim both: the funeral benefit (to the payor) and the death benefit (to the eligible beneficiaries).

2) Who are the beneficiaries, in what order?

SSS law and rules observe a hierarchy:

Primary beneficiaries (have priority):
- The dependent spouse (the legal spouse at the time of death, generally until remarriage), and
- The dependent children: legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate children below 21, unmarried, and not gainfully employed. A child over 21 who is permanently incapacitated and dependent upon the member is also treated as a primary beneficiary.
Secondary beneficiaries (only if there are no primary beneficiaries):
- The member’s dependent parents.
Designated beneficiaries / Legal heirs:
- If no primary or secondary beneficiaries exist, SSS pays a lump sum to any designated beneficiary on record; if none, to legal heirs under the Civil Code rules on intestacy.

Important nuances

Spouse: Must be legally married to the member and marriage must subsist at death. A spouse in a void/voidable marriage typically has no right as a primary beneficiary (subject to proof and specific case facts).
Children: Priority does not depend on legitimacy; however, for dependent’s pension shares, SSS observes statutory caps (see §5).
Multiple families: SSS will apportion pension among qualified primary beneficiaries following its allocation rules.

3) When is the death benefit a pension vs. a lump sum?

Monthly pension is payable to primary beneficiaries if the member has at least 36 posted monthly contributions (before the “semester” of death).
Lump-sum death benefit applies when:
- The member has fewer than 36 posted contributions; or
- There are no primary beneficiaries (even if contributions exceed 36). In this case, secondary beneficiaries or heirs receive a lump sum.

4) Required documents (core checklist)

Bring originals for verification and clear copies. SSS may require additional documents after evaluation.

A. For the Death Benefit (Primary/Secondary Beneficiaries)

Death certificate (PSA/LCRO-certified).
SSS Death Claim Application (current SSS form; often under “DDR—Death, Disability and Retirement” forms).
Valid IDs of claimant(s) with photo and signature.
Proof of relationship and dependency:
- Spouse: PSA marriage certificate; proof marriage subsisted at death (e.g., no decree of annulment/nullity; if separated de facto, SSS may still recognize the legal spouse subject to rules).
- Children: PSA birth certificates; adoption decree/amended birth certificate for adopted children; for illegitimate children, birth certificate showing the deceased as father/mother (or filiation evidence, e.g., acknowledgment documents).
- Parents (secondary): PSA birth certificate of member showing parentage; IDs; affidavit of dependency if required.
Member’s SSS records (SS number, E-1/E-6 if available).
Disbursement account proof (bank account under the payee’s name that’s PESONet-accredited; SSS typically requires enrollment in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module [DAEM]).
If member was employed near death: Employer’s certification of last day of work or separation (SSS may have a standard employer certification).
For minors/incapacitated beneficiaries: Birth certificates; guardianship documents or affidavits. SSS often accepts a natural guardian (usually the mother) to receive on behalf of minor children; however, SSS may require court guardianship for complex situations or larger sums—assessed case by case.
Additional proofs as the case may require (e.g., DNA test report or judicial declaration in contested filiation cases; court decisions on nullity/annulment, recognition, adoption, or custody).

B. For the Funeral Benefit (Payor of Funeral)

Funeral Claim Application (SSS form).
Official receipt(s) from the funeral service provider, under the claimant’s name (or assignment documents if the funeral home will claim).
Death certificate (PSA/LCRO).
Valid ID(s) of the payor/claimant.
DAEM / bank details for crediting (PESONet).

5) How much is the death pension or lump sum?

A. Death Pension (if eligible)

The basic monthly pension is computed using SSS formulas that consider:
1. Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC);
2. Credited Years of Service (CYS); and
3. Statutory minimums/floors applicable at the time of death.
Dependent’s Pension (DP): On top of the basic pension, each eligible dependent minor child (up to five) is entitled to a dependent’s pension, typically 10% of the member’s basic monthly pension or a small fixed floor (whichever is higher). The DP stops once a child turns 21, marries, becomes gainfully employed, or is no longer incapacitated.
Spouse: Receives no separate DP, but shares in the basic pension as a primary beneficiary. The spouse’s entitlement generally ceases upon remarriage.

B. Lump-Sum Death Benefit

If pension rules are not met, or there are no primary beneficiaries, SSS pays a lump sum.
The amount reflects posted contributions and salary credits and may consider prior benefits received (e.g., partial disability) under SSS coordination rules.

C. Funeral Benefit

A fixed amount (subject to SSS schedule at the time of death). This is independent of the death pension/lump sum and is payable to the payor of the funeral costs.

Illustrative example (simplified) A member with sufficient contributions dies leaving a legal spouse and two minor children. – Basic pension: computed by SSS. – Dependent’s pension: added for each eligible child (capped at five). – When each child reaches 21, that child’s DP stops. The spouse’s share continues until remarriage (subject to SSS rules). – If later no primary beneficiaries remain, pension ceases. There is no transfer to secondary beneficiaries once a pension is in pay (unless SSS rules specifically provide otherwise).

6) Step-by-step: how to file

Part A: Prepare

Identify beneficiaries per §2. Resolve potential conflicts early (e.g., competing spouses, questioned filiation).
Gather documents per §4. Secure PSA copies.
Enroll bank account in SSS DAEM under the exact payee’s name (for each payee).
Check SSS contribution record (member’s posted contributions) via My.SSS if accessible by the family; otherwise SSS will verify during processing.

Part B: File the Funeral Claim (optional but often fastest to complete)

Complete the Funeral Claim Application.
Submit death certificate + official funeral receipts + ID(s) + bank details.
SSS verifies and credits the benefit to the payor’s enrolled account.

Part C: File the Death Claim

Complete the Death Claim Application (DDR—Death).
Submit death certificate, relationship proofs, IDs, DAEM enrollment proof, employer certification (if applicable), and any special documents (guardianship, court decisions, etc.).
Interview/verification: SSS may conduct interviews, require affidavits (e.g., of non-remarriage), or ask for additional evidence in complex family setups.
Await adjudication. If approved, SSS issues a Notice of Award and credits the lump sum or starts the pension. For pensions with multiple beneficiaries, SSS records who gets what and how.

Online vs. Branch filing

Certain steps (e.g., DAEM enrollment, appointments, status checks, funeral claim initiation) are commonly available online via My.SSS.
Death claims often require in-person validation due to the legal evaluation of beneficiaries and documents. Expect to appear at an SSS branch (or follow SSS guidance if online submission is allowed in your case).

7) Timelines and prescription

Processing time varies with document completeness and case complexity. Straightforward funeral claims can be relatively quick; death claims with multiple beneficiaries, contested relationships, or missing records take longer.
As a general rule of thumb, file as soon as practicable after the member’s death.
Prescription: As a matter of prudence, treat SSS benefit claims as subject to a 10-year prescriptive period from the time the benefit accrues. File early to avoid disputes about prescription and to minimize loss of retroactive pension months.

Tip: Delays most often arise from (i) missing PSA copies; (ii) un-enrolled or mismatched bank accounts; (iii) unresolved issues on marriage validity or filiation; and (iv) unposted contributions or employment records.

8) Special scenarios and how SSS typically addresses them

Separated but legally married spouse: The legal spouse at the time of death remains a primary beneficiary (subject to proof marriage subsisted and any disqualifying circumstances under SSS rules).
Nullity/Annulment/Bigamy issues: A marriage later declared void generally defeats spousal entitlement. However, good-faith issues and children’s status require careful handling with SSS and, at times, the courts.
Illegitimate children: Are primary beneficiaries alongside legitimate/adopted children, subject to statutory caps and proof of filiation.
Children over 21 but incapacitated: Must show permanent incapacity and dependency (medical and other proofs) to remain as primary beneficiaries.
No primary beneficiaries: Dependent parents may claim a lump sum. If no parents, payment goes to designated beneficiaries or legal heirs.
Member already a pensioner (retirement/disability) at death: The survivorship pension is generally based on the pension in pay (subject to SSS rules on survivorship).
Unposted contributions / last employer issues: SSS may require employer certification or further checks; ensure R-3 posting and contributions are reconciled.
Representative payees / guardianship: For minors, SSS typically releases through a natural parent; for complex or high-value cases, SSS may ask for court-appointed guardian documentation.

9) Practical compliance pointers

Name matching: Ensure names on PSA records and IDs match; if not, execute Affidavits of Discrepancy and supporting records.
Bank account ownership: Must be under the exact payee’s name (no joint or third-party accounts unless SSS expressly allows).
Filiation proof: For children not acknowledged on the birth certificate, explore late acknowledgment, DNA, or judicial actions (as advised by counsel).
Keep copies: Submit photocopies but bring originals for verification.
Track status: Keep the claim reference and follow up at the same branch or channel you filed with.

10) Appeals and remedies if denied

Motion for Reconsideration (MR) / Re-adjudication: File with the SSS branch/office that issued the denial, supplying additional documents or legal arguments.
Appeal to the Social Security Commission (SSC): Decisions of SSS on benefit claims are typically appealable to the SSC within reglementary periods stated in the notice.
Judicial review: Adverse SSC decisions may be elevated to the Court of Appeals via petition for review, within the period set by remedial rules.
Equitable relief: In select cases, substantial compliance and equity considerations can be argued—ideally through counsel.

11) Quick reference: side-by-side

Item	Death Benefit	Funeral Benefit
Who files	Primary beneficiaries; else secondary; else heirs	The payor of funeral expenses
Form	Monthly pension (if ≥36 contributions & primary beneficiaries) or lump sum	Fixed reimbursement amount
Key proofs	Death cert + relationship/dependency + IDs + DAEM + employer cert (if any)	Death cert + funeral receipts + ID + DAEM
Payment to	Beneficiaries per hierarchy	Payor (person or authorized funeral home)
Common blockers	Disputed spouse/children, missing PSA docs, bank mismatch	Missing receipts or incorrect payor name

12) Ethical and legal cautions

Never submit falsified civil registry documents; SSS cross-checks with PSA/LCRO and may refer cases for prosecution.
If there are competing claimants (e.g., two “spouses”), avoid side agreements; let SSS adjudicate based on law and records, or obtain court rulings.
For complex cases (annulment/nullity, adoption, DNA, guardianship), consult a Philippine lawyer to structure evidence correctly before filing.

13) Takeaway

File early, file complete. Ensure DAEM enrollment, PSA documents, and clear beneficiary mapping before you go to SSS.
Pension vs. lump sum depends on contributions and beneficiary class.
Funeral benefit is separate and can often be settled faster.
Use reconsideration/appeals channels if initially denied.

Model document checklist (you can reuse)

☐ Death certificate (PSA/LCRO)
☐ SSS Death Claim Application (DDR—Death)
☐ Valid IDs of claimants
☐ PSA marriage certificate (if spouse-claimant)
☐ PSA birth certificates of children (and adoption decrees, if any)
☐ Proof of filiation for illegitimate children (acknowledgment/affidavits; other proofs as applicable)
☐ Member’s SSS no. and records (if available)
☐ Employer certification (if applicable)
☐ Guardianship/affidavits for minors/incapacitated beneficiaries (as needed)
☐ DAEM/bank proof (PESONet account in payee’s name)
☐ For funeral claim: funeral receipts in the payor’s name + Funeral Claim Application

Note: Exact forms, amounts, and online features evolve. While the legal framework above is stable, always rely on the latest SSS-issued forms and desk advisories when you prepare to file.