Trying to create a My.SSS account can feel frustrating when the system asks for a Registration Preference and you do not have any of the options shown. The important thing to know is this: you generally cannot skip the Registration Preference field. It is SSS’s way of verifying that the person creating the online account is the real SSS member. But you may still be able to register by finding an existing reference in your SSS records, using your E-1/E-6 transaction number, getting your employer’s SSS ID, using a posted contribution or PRN, or asking SSS to verify and update your record through a branch, e-center, hotline, or official email channel.

What “Registration Preference” Means in My.SSS

In My.SSS registration, the Registration Preference is not your membership type. It is a verification detail that must already match SSS records.

For members, the current My.SSS registration page asks you to choose one of the following registration preferences:

Registration Preference	What SSS is checking
Savings Account Number	A bank or disbursement account number already registered with SSS
UMID Card	Your UMID details, such as activated UMID PIN or mother’s maiden name reported in the UMID application
Employer/Household ID	The SSS employer ID of any current or previous employer
Payment Reference Number	A paid PRN, SBR number, or payment receipt transaction number for a contribution payment
Date of Loan	The date of a previous SSS loan with existing balance
Transaction Number in Personal Record Form	The transaction number shown in your E-1/E-6 or Personal Record/UMID application
Check Number of Any Monthly Pension	A check number for a retiree or disability pensioner receiving pension by check

These are shown in the official My.SSS member registration page and the SSS member registration guide. (member.sss.gov.ph)

In practical terms, SSS is asking: “Give us one detail that only the real member, employer, pensioner, or record-holder should reasonably know.” If you do not have any of these, the solution is not to guess. The solution is to identify which record SSS already has for you, or have SSS help you update or verify your account information.

Can You Register a My.SSS Account Without Any Registration Preference?

Usually, no. The online form requires a Registration Preference because it is part of SSS account verification. You cannot legally or reliably bypass it by entering random information, another person’s employer ID, a fake PRN, or details from someone else’s SSS account.

What you can do is one of these:

Use your E-1/E-6 transaction number if you applied for your SS number online.
Use your current or previous employer’s SSS Employer ID if you were ever employed in the private sector.
Use a paid contribution reference if you already paid SSS as self-employed, OFW, voluntary, or non-working spouse.
Use UMID or bank/disbursement account details if these were previously registered with SSS.
Go through SSS identity verification if none of the online preferences work.

This is especially common for first-time jobseekers, fresh graduates, prior registrants with no contribution yet, OFWs abroad, separated employees who forgot their employer details, and members whose mobile number or email in SSS records is outdated.

Legal Basis: Why SSS Can Require Verification Before Online Account Access

The SSS is not just an ordinary website account. It contains contribution history, loan information, benefit claims, personal data, and sometimes bank or disbursement details. The main legal basis is Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, which establishes SSS as the government social security system for covered private-sector workers and other qualified members. The law’s policy is to provide meaningful social security protection against disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden.

RA 11199 makes SSS coverage compulsory for employees, including kasambahays, not over 60 years old, and also covers self-employed persons and OFWs under specific rules. It also recognizes voluntary continuation of coverage in certain cases, such as separated employees or OFWs after overseas employment ends.

Because My.SSS gives access to sensitive member information, SSS also has to follow the Data Privacy Act of 2012, Republic Act No. 10173. That law requires personal information controllers to implement reasonable organizational, physical, and technical measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or unlawful processing. (National Privacy Commission)

This is also why SSS has strengthened login security. In 2024, SSS announced the use of multi-factor authentication for My.SSS, including SMS one-time passwords and time-based one-time passwords, and urged members to update their mobile numbers because outdated contact details can block access. (Social Security System)

First, Check Which Situation Applies to You

Before trying random options, identify your situation:

Your situation	Best registration preference to try first
You applied for your SS number online recently	Transaction Number in Personal Record Form
You received an E-1/E-6 form by email	Transaction Number in Personal Record Form
You were previously employed in the Philippines	Employer/Household ID
You have paid SSS contributions before	Payment Reference Number or receipt transaction number
You have a UMID card	UMID Card
You are a pensioner paid by check	Check Number of Any Monthly Pension
You have a registered SSS disbursement account	Savings Account Number
You have no employer, no contribution, no UMID, and no transaction slip	SSS branch/e-center verification

Step-by-Step: How to Register When You Think You Have No Registration Preference

1. Search your email for your SSS transaction documents

If you applied for an SS number online, check your email inbox, spam, junk, and old downloads for these documents:

SS Number Slip
Transaction Number Slip
Personal Record/Unified Multi-Purpose ID Card Application, also called E-1/E-6

SSS states that after online SS number application, the system displays and emails the SS Number Slip, Transaction Number Slip, and E-1/E-6 form. If the account activation link expires, SSS says you should register in My.SSS using the Transaction Number shown in your E-1 as your registration preference. (Social Security System)

Use this route if you are a fresh graduate, first-time employee, or prior registrant who has an SS number but has not paid contributions yet.

2. Use “Transaction Number in Personal Record Form”

On the My.SSS registration page:

Go to the official SSS website.
Choose Create a My.SSS account or login.
Choose Member.
Select Register in My.SSS or the equivalent registration option.
Under Registration Preference, choose Transaction Number in Personal Record Form.
Enter the transaction number from your E-1/E-6 or transaction slip.
Complete your CRN/SS number, mobile number, email, preferred user ID, name, birth date, and address.
Review all details carefully before submitting.
Check your email for the password setup or activation instruction.

The SSS registration guide says the transaction number option applies to the transaction number shown in the Personal Record/UMID application for those who applied online for an SS number from December 10, 2020 onwards. (Social Security System)

3. If you were employed before, use your employer’s SSS Employer ID

If you worked for a private company, household employer, agency, or other covered employer, you may use Employer/Household ID as your Registration Preference.

You can find it from:

your old HR department;
your certificate of employment, if it includes employer registration details;
old SSS forms from onboarding;
payslips or payroll records, if the company included employer data;
previous employer SSS contribution records, if available.

Under RA 11199, SSS coverage of an employee begins on the day of employment, and employers have obligations to pay and remit contributions for covered employees. The law also defines an employer broadly as a person or entity, domestic or foreign, carrying on business or activity in the Philippines and using the services of another person under an employer-employee relationship.

Do not use a random employer ID found online. The employer ID must match your SSS employment history, or the registration will likely fail.

4. If you already paid contributions, use a paid PRN or receipt number

If you paid SSS contributions before, look for:

Payment Reference Number or PRN
SBR number
payment receipt transaction number
collecting partner receipt
online payment confirmation
GCash, Maya, bank, Bayad, or other accredited collection receipt

The SSS guide says the Payment Reference Number option accepts a paid PRN, SBR number, or payment receipt transaction number of any contribution payment. (Social Security System)

For individually paying members, SSS states that PRNs may be generated through My.SSS or the SSS Mobile App, requested by email, requested through the SSS Hotline 1455, or requested through selected payment collecting partners that accept PRN payments, with a valid ID. (Social Security System)

This route usually works best for self-employed members, OFWs, non-working spouses, and voluntary members who have at least one posted or paid contribution.

5. If you have a UMID card, try the UMID option

If you have a UMID card, select UMID Card as your Registration Preference.

The My.SSS registration page indicates that the UMID card must have been activated in the SSS Information Terminal located at SSS branches, or you may need to provide the mother’s maiden name reported in the E-6 UMID Card Application Form. (member.sss.gov.ph)

Common reasons this fails:

the UMID was never activated;
the mother’s maiden name entered does not match SSS records exactly;
the card details are not yet properly linked;
the member has multiple or inconsistent SSS records.

If the UMID option fails repeatedly, use a different registration preference or ask SSS to verify your record.

6. If your contact details are outdated, update them first

Even if your Registration Preference works, you may still be blocked if SSS sends an OTP to an old mobile number or email. SSS has advised members to update their contact information because outdated or inactive numbers can become a hurdle in accessing My.SSS. Members with no mobile number in SSS records may update their contact information by submitting a Member Data Change Request form at an SSS branch. (Social Security System)

For many members, the real problem is not the Registration Preference itself. It is that SSS records show an old mobile number, old email address, misspelled name, wrong birth date, or temporary SS number status.

What to Do If You Truly Have None of the Options

If you have no E-1 transaction slip, no employer ID, no contribution receipt, no UMID, no loan, no pension check, and no registered bank account, you will likely need SSS-assisted verification.

Option A: Visit an SSS branch or e-center

SSS states that a person without an SS number may apply online or through an electronic center at an SSS branch, and members struggling with My.SSS may visit e-centers in SSS branches where personnel can assist them. (Social Security System)

Bring:

your SS number or any document showing it, if available;
one primary valid ID, such as passport, driver’s license, PhilID, UMID, or Alien Certificate of Registration;
if no primary ID, two secondary IDs, preferably with photo and signature;
printed E-1/E-6, SS number slip, or transaction slip, if you have it;
mobile phone with the SIM you want registered;
active email address you can open on-site;
old employer details, if applicable.

SSS lists primary IDs such as UMID, PhilID, Alien Certificate of Registration, driver’s license, NBI clearance, passport, postal ID, seaman’s book, and voter’s ID for certain member data transactions. For foreign government-issued IDs in a foreign language, SSS notes that an official English translation by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate may be required. (Social Security System)

Option B: Ask SSS to verify your SS number first

If you forgot your SS number, do not apply for a new one. SSS states that the SS number assigned to a person is a lifetime number and must always be used in all transactions. Securing more than one SS number can delay benefit or loan processing, and duplicate numbers must be cancelled or consolidated. (Social Security System)

This is important. Many people who “cannot register” are actually using the wrong SS number, a temporary SS number, or a duplicate record.

Option C: Ask your employer for help if you are newly hired

A prospective employee is reported for SSS coverage by the employer, and employee coverage takes effect on the first day of employment. (Social Security System)

If you are newly hired and cannot register because you have no preference:

Ask HR if you have already been reported to SSS.
Ask for the company’s SSS Employer ID.
Confirm that your name, birth date, and SS number match your SSS record.
Try registering with Employer/Household ID after employer reporting has been processed.

If your employer has not reported you or remitted contributions, your online registration may not reflect your employment yet.

Option D: If you are self-employed or OFW, confirm your coverage type

SSS says an SS number alone does not automatically mean the person is already a covered member. An employed worker becomes covered when the employer submits the employment report and pays at least one contribution. A self-employed, OFW, or non-working spouse member becomes covered when at least one contribution has been paid. (Social Security System)

This distinction matters because a prior registrant with no contribution cannot simply pay as a voluntary member. SSS states that a voluntary member is one who already has at least one contribution as a previous employee, self-employed member, or OFW, and that initial voluntary contributions by someone without prior coverage may be void and subject to refund. (Social Security System)

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

“I only have an SS number but no E-1 transaction number.”

Check your email from the date you applied online. Search for “SSS,” “E-1,” “E-6,” “transaction number,” and “SS Number Slip.” If you still cannot find it, request verification through SSS. Do not create a second SS number.

“My employer ID does not work.”

This usually means one of four things:

you entered the wrong employer ID;
your employer did not report you under that SS number;
your name or birth date in SSS records is different;
your employment record has not yet been posted or reflected.

Ask HR to confirm the exact SSS Employer ID and the SS number they reported.

“My PRN does not work.”

Make sure the PRN or receipt is for a paid contribution, not just an unpaid generated PRN. The registration guide refers to paid PRN, SBR number, or payment receipt transaction number. (Social Security System)

“My UMID option fails even if I have a UMID.”

Use the mother’s maiden name exactly as reported in the E-6 UMID application, including spelling. If the UMID was never activated or the record is inconsistent, visit an SSS branch.

“I cannot receive the OTP.”

Your registered mobile number may be outdated. SSS has stated that SMS OTP is sent to the mobile number in SSS records and that members without a mobile number in SSS records must update their information through a branch. (Social Security System)

“I am abroad and cannot visit an SSS branch.”

OFWs and Filipinos abroad should check SSS online facilities, official email channels, hotline options, and SSS foreign representative offices where available. RA 11199 expressly covers sea-based and land-based OFWs not over 60 years old, and SSS has programs for Filipinos abroad.

If you need to submit foreign-issued documents, prepare clear scans and check whether English translation, embassy/consulate certification, or other authentication is needed depending on the document and SSS transaction.

Documents to Prepare Before You Contact SSS

Document or information	Why it matters
SS number or CRN	Main identifier for your SSS record
Full legal name	Must match SSS records
Date of birth	Common cause of failed registration
Current mobile number	Needed for OTP and account security
Active email address	Needed for activation and password setup
E-1/E-6 or transaction slip	Best preference for new online SS number applicants
Previous employer name and employer ID	Useful for employed members
Contribution receipt or PRN	Useful for self-employed, OFW, voluntary, or paying members
Valid IDs	Needed for branch or record verification
PSA birth certificate or passport	Useful for correcting name or birth date
ACR card or passport for foreigners	Useful for foreign nationals with Philippine SSS records

Special Notes for Foreigners in the Philippines

A foreigner who is legally employed by a Philippine private employer may have an SSS record if the employment is covered and reported. RA 11199 defines an employer to include a domestic or foreign person or entity carrying on business or activity in the Philippines and using the services of another person under an employment relationship.

Foreigners often encounter My.SSS registration problems because of:

name formatting differences;
lack of middle name;
passport name order differences;
expired or changed passport;
Alien Certificate of Registration details not matching;
employer reporting errors;
old email or mobile number no longer accessible.

For foreign-issued IDs or documents in a foreign language, SSS may require an official English translation by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate. (Social Security System)

Practical Timelines

Step	Usual timeline
Online My.SSS registration if all details match	Same day
Email activation/password setup	Usually within minutes, but check spam or junk
OTP login after registration	Immediate if mobile number is updated
Employer ID verification with HR	Same day to a few business days
Branch-assisted record verification	Often same day, depending on queue and system availability
Contact information update through branch	May be same day or require processing time
Correction of name, birth date, or duplicate SS number	Can take longer, especially if documents require review

SSS branch availability, queue length, and system status can affect timelines. SSS maintains a branch locator and branch business hour information through its official website. (member.sss.gov.ph)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a My.SSS account without choosing a Registration Preference?

Generally, no. The Registration Preference is part of identity verification. You must choose a valid option that matches SSS records, such as E-1 transaction number, employer ID, paid PRN, UMID details, loan date, registered bank account, or pension check number.

What is the easiest Registration Preference for a first-time SSS member?

For many first-time online applicants, the easiest option is Transaction Number in Personal Record Form. This is the transaction number in the E-1/E-6 or transaction slip emailed after online SS number application. SSS specifically says an expired My.SSS activation link can be handled by registering using the transaction number shown in the E-1. (Social Security System)

What if I have an SS number but no contribution yet?

You may be a prior registrant. SSS describes prior registrants as individuals issued SS numbers but with no contributions yet, such as persons still looking for employment. If you applied online, use your E-1/E-6 transaction number. If you do not have it, ask SSS to verify your record. (Social Security System)

Can I use my employer’s SSS number to register?

You may use the SSS Employer ID of your current or previous employer if it matches your employment record. Do not use a random employer ID or another company’s details.

Can I pay one contribution just to get a PRN for registration?

It depends on your proper membership category. SSS says a person with an SS number but no employer yet cannot already pay as a voluntary member because voluntary membership requires at least one prior contribution as an employee, self-employed member, or OFW. However, an OFW or self-employed person with an SS number may proceed with payment as OFW or self-employed using the issued SS number. (Social Security System)

Why does My.SSS say my information does not match?

Common causes include wrong birth date, misspelled name, wrong SS number, duplicate SS number, old employer details, unposted contribution, inactive UMID, or outdated contact information. Check your documents and avoid repeated guessing, which may lock or delay your account.

How do I fix an old mobile number in SSS?

If you can still log in, update it through your My.SSS account. If you cannot log in or SSS has no mobile number in your record, SSS says you may submit a Member Data Change Request form at an SSS branch. (Social Security System)

Should I apply for a new SS number if I forgot my old one?

No. SSS states that the SS number is a lifetime number and must always be used. Getting more than one SS number can delay benefits and loans, and duplicate records must be cancelled or consolidated. (Social Security System)

Can an OFW register for My.SSS without a Philippine mobile number?

The registration and login process may require contact details and OTP verification. If your Philippine mobile number is inactive or unavailable, you may need to update your SSS contact information through official SSS channels before online access will work. SSS also provides services and coverage information for Filipinos abroad. (Social Security System)

Key Takeaways

You generally cannot skip the Registration Preference field in My.SSS registration.
The best option for new online SS number applicants is usually the E-1/E-6 transaction number.
If you were employed before, try Employer/Household ID using your actual employer’s SSS ID.
If you paid contributions before, use a paid PRN, SBR number, or payment receipt transaction number.
If you have no usable preference, go through SSS verification through a branch, e-center, hotline, or official email channel.
Do not create another SS number. Your SS number is for life, and duplicate records can delay benefits and loans.
Keep your mobile number and email updated because My.SSS now uses stronger authentication, including OTP verification.