How to Retrieve a Forgotten CRN or SSS Number in the Philippines
A practitioner-oriented guide anchored on the Social Security Act of 2018 (R.A. 11199), the UMID framework, and data-privacy rules.
1. Key Identifiers Defined
| Identifier | What it is | Governing Issuance | Typical Use-Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSS Number | The permanent, lifetime 10-digit identifier every member receives upon initial registration with the Social Security System (SSS). | §10, R.A. 11199; SSS Circular 2019-013 | Contribution posting, benefit claims, salary-loan processing, filing of SSS-approved IDs (UMID, PRN, etc.). |
| CRN (Common Reference Number) | A 12-digit unified number printed on the UMID card that links the databases of SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. | Executive Order No. 420 (2005); Memorandum of Agreement on the Unified Multi-Purpose ID System (UMID) | Cross-agency identity confirmation, e-services access across the four participating agencies, optional use in lieu of the SSS No. within SSS transactions. |
Practical takeaway: Everyone has one SSS Number but may obtain a CRN only upon issuance of a UMID card.
2. Statutory & Regulatory Framework
R.A. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018).
- Obliges members to accurately disclose their SSS number (§24[b]).
- Penalizes possession of multiple SSS numbers (§28[a][3]).
Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173).
- Treats both identifiers as personal information; retrieval processes must follow “lawful purpose” and “proportionality” principles.
Executive Order 420 (2005) & EO 700 (2008).
- Created the UMID system and the CRN.
SSS Circulars & Office Orders.
- Circular 2013-010 (My.SSS portal rules).
- Circular 2020-033 (Member Data Change Requests).
3. Retrieval Pathways
Below are the five lawful avenues for recovering a forgotten SSS Number or CRN, matched with documentary and procedural requirements. Each option works even if the member never created an online account.
| Avenue | Process | Typical Timeline | Required Proof of Identity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Online Self-Service (fastest) | 1. Go to My.SSS (https://member.sss.gov.ph). 2. Click Forgot User ID / Password → SS Number Inquiry. 3. Input full name, birth date, email, and mobile exactly as enrolled. 4. System emails or texts your SSS No. (CRN is shown only if a UMID is on file). |
Within minutes | None, but data must match SSS records; email/mobile must have been pre-captured. |
| B. SSS Mobile App | 1. Install SSS Mobile on iOS/Android. 2. Choose Forgot User ID/Password. 3. Supply the same information as above. |
Within minutes | Same as above |
| C. Call or Email SSS Hotline | 1. Dial SSS Hotline 1455 (Manila) or (02) 7917-7777. 2. Or email member_relations@sss.gov.ph. 3. Provide full name, birth date, mother’s maiden name, address, last employer. |
1–3 banking days | Clear scan/photo of any one valid government ID; some agents also ask for a selfie with the ID to mitigate fraud. |
| D. Walk-In at Any SSS Branch | 1. Fill out Member Data Change Request (SS Form E-4), ticking “Verification/Correction of SS Number”. 2. Queue under Member Services. 3. Present valid ID(s). 4. Staff prints a stub reflecting your SSS No.; if a UMID exists, the CRN appears. |
Same-day | At least one Primary ID (e.g., Philippine Passport, UMID, PhilSys ID) or two Secondary IDs (e.g., TIN, voter’s ID, company ID). |
| E. UMID Re-issuance or “Card History” Print-Out | For members who forgot the CRN but still know their SSS No.: 1. File Request for Replacement UMID Card (SS Form UMID-E-6). 2. Pay ₱200 replacement fee. 3. The CRN will be visible on the receipt and on the new card. |
10-20 working days (card production) | Same ID rules as D, plus a duly notarized affidavit of loss if card was lost/damaged. |
4. Special Situations & Legal Nuances
Multiple or Duplicate SSS Numbers Members sometimes erroneously secure a second SSS No. (usually when shifting from employed to self-employed).
- File an SS Number Consolidation request (via E-4) to merge contributions.
- SSS will designate one number as the “retained” account; the other becomes dormant.
- Never attempt to use two numbers; doing so may be treated as fraud under §28, R.A. 11199.
Minor or Incapacitated Members
- Retrieval may be initiated by a parent, legal guardian, or attorney-in-fact.
- Submit PSA-issued birth certificate (for minors) or medical abstract plus Special Power of Attorney (for incapacitated adults).
Deceased Member (for Beneficiaries)
- Present the PSA death certificate and any document proving relationship (marriage/birth certificate).
- Once the SSS No. is identified, file for death benefits or funeral grant.
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
- May retrieve via the SSS International Toll-Free Numbers or the SSS Representative Offices at Philippine Embassies/Consulates.
- Email transactions must include a scanned passport datapage and latest entry/exit stamps.
Data-Privacy Safeguards
- SSS front-liners are trained not to disclose numbers over the phone without multi-factor verification.
- Front window print-outs are folded to obscure the number from bystanders.
5. What to Expect After Retrieval
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Contribution Posting | Your earlier contributions remain intact; retrieval merely recalls the existing record. |
| Account Reactivation | If your last contribution was over five (5) years ago, you are automatically reactivated once a new contribution is posted. |
| My.SSS Access | The recovered SSS No. allows you to create or reactivate an online account, enabling e-loans, benefit claims status tracking, and PRN generation. |
| UMID/Card Replacement | If the CRN retrieval route involved a lost card, a replacement fee applies; the old CRN remains unchanged. |
| Penalties | Filing for benefits under the wrong or duplicate SSS No. may trigger delays, legal holds, or penalties. |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CRN interchangeable with the SSS Number? Technically yes, within SSS e-services that expressly accept the CRN field; but for most paper forms the 10-digit SSS Number is still required.
Will retrieving my number automatically correct my maiden-to-married name? No. Name changes require a separate E-4 with supporting PSA marriage certificate.
Can I authorize someone else to get my number? Yes, via a notarized SPA plus photocopies of both your IDs.
What if my UMID card shows a different SSS Number than I remember? That indicates you registered twice. File a consolidation immediately.
7. Best-Practice Checklist for Lawyers & HR Practitioners
- Verify Identity Early. Before hiring or processing benefits, require the new employee’s actual SSS Number slip or UMID, not just a handwritten number.
- Encourage Online Registration. My.SSS significantly speeds up verifications and minimizes branch visits.
- Maintain Secure Records. Retain only the last four digits of the SSS No. in HR files to comply with the Data Privacy Act’s minimization principle.
- Audit Payroll Files. Periodically cross-match SSS Numbers versus employee names; discrepancies often reveal duplicate accounts.
- Educate on Penalties. Employees should know that acquiring a second SSS No. may disqualify them from benefits until rectified.
8. Conclusion
Retrieving a forgotten SSS Number or CRN is neither legally risky nor procedurally burdensome—provided the member supplies accurate personal data and valid IDs. The Social Security Act, UMID framework, and data-privacy rules collectively ensure that the process balances accessibility with identity-theft safeguards. For most members, the online self-service route yields the fastest results; branch visits remain a reliable fallback when online details are outdated or missing. Ultimately, maintaining a single, accurate identifier protects both the member’s future benefit claims and the integrity of the SSS fund.
Prepared as of 1 June 2025. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute formal legal advice.