Retrieving a Lost SSS Number Online in the Philippines A Comprehensive Legal and Practical Guide (2025 Update)
1. What the SSS Number Is and Why It Matters
| Item | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Definition | A permanent, lifetime identifier assigned to every Social Security System (SSS) member under § 4(b) of the Social Security Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11199). |
| Legal Effect | It links all contribution records, benefit claims, salary-loan transactions, EC claims, and PhilHealth cross-reference data. Duplicate numbers are prohibited (§ 24 [c][3] RA 11199). |
| Data Privacy | Treated as personal information under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173); SSS is the personal-information controller. |
Losing or forgetting the number does not extinguish the membership, but it can delay benefit processing or force the filing of affidavits to prove identity. The SSS therefore created multiple remote, paper-less recovery channels to comply with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (RA 11032).
2. Preliminary Self-Check Before You File Any Request
- Search personal files – old E-1/E-4 forms, loan vouchers, RS-5 receipts, or your UMID/SSS ID.
- Ask your present or most recent employer – employers see the number in their R3 and R5 submission portal.
- Check PhilHealth Member Data Record (MDR) – since 2021 most MDRs carry a cross-reference SSS number.
If all fail, proceed to the online methods below.
3. Online Retrieval Methods and Their Legal Basis
| Channel | Who Can Use It | Core Legal/Policy Reference | Typical Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| My.SSS Portal «Forgot User ID/Password» | Members already enrolled in My.SSS but who forgot the number itself | SSS Circular 2020-033 on enhanced online account recovery | Immediate (auto-e-mail) |
| My.SSS » “Register” (No existing web account) | Members with a UMID card or a previously registered mobile/e-mail | Sec. 15 RA 11032 (mandated online frontline services) | 1 – 3 working days (e-mail validation) |
| **SSS Mobile App («Forgot SS Number») ** | Smartphone users (Android/iOS) | SSS Mobile App TOS v3.4 (2024) | Seconds (SMS or in-app pop-up) |
| TextSSS (2600) | Any local SIM; limited to SMART & Globe | SSS SMS Facility Rules 2019 | Seconds; ₱ 2.50 regular SMS |
| E-mail to Member Relations (member_relations@sss.gov.ph) | All members worldwide | SSS Citizen’s Charter 2024 Edition | 3 – 7 working days |
| Hotline 1455 / (02) 7917-7777 | Local landline/mobile callers | RA 11032 one-stop hotlines | Real-time (after KYC questions) |
| OFW Contact Services Unit | Overseas Filipino Workers | SSS Office Order 2023-005 | 1 – 5 working days (time-zone dependent) |
Important: All channels will require you to authenticate using at least two of the following: complete name, birthdate, mother’s maiden name, valid ID image, recent employer name/code, or your UMID card’s Common Reference Number (CRN).
3.1 My.SSS Portal Step-by-Step (If You Already Have a Web Account)
Go to https://www.sss.gov.ph → Member.
Click “Forgot User ID or Password?”
Supply any of the following:
- Registered e-mail address
- UMID-PIN–based login
- Previously registered mobile number
An automated e-mail containing your SSS User ID and SSS NUMBER is sent.
Log in, go to Member Info » SSS Number for confirmation.
Legal note: Circular 2020-033 recognizes the e-mail containing the SSS number as an official electronic document under the Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792).
3.2 My.SSS Online Registration (If You Never Enrolled Online)
You cannot complete registration without supplying your SSS number somewhere in the form—except when you select the UMID-CRN or Employer ID option:
On My.SSS home page click “Not yet registered in My.SSS?”
Choose UMID/CRN as the registration option.
Enter:
- Twelve-digit CRN (upper-left of UMID)
- Name, DOB, address, mobile, and e-mail
After validation, the system displays:
Thank you for registering! Your User ID : juandelacruz Your SSS No. : 01-2345678-9which you may screenshot or print.
Activate your account through the link e-mailed within 5 days.
3.3 SSS Mobile App Quick Retrieval
- Download or open “SSS Mobile”.
- Tap “Forgot SS Number”.
- Enter your registered e-mail or mobile number.
- An OTP (one-time PIN) is sent. After OTP validation, the app displays your SSS number on-screen and via SMS.
3.4 TextSSS (2600) Syntax
SSS <space> SSSNO <space> <PIN>If you forgot both number and PIN:
SSS RESET <space> <10-digit mobile-no>You’ll receive separate messages with (a) a temporary PIN and (b) the SSS number. Standard SMS rates apply.
3.5 E-mail / Hotline Retrieval
| Element | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Subject | “Request for Lost SSS Number – [NAME]” |
| Body | Full name, DOB, mother’s maiden name, last or current employer, type of membership (employed / voluntary / OFW / self-employed), reason for inquiry, preferred contact. |
| Attachments | One valid government ID (scanned front and back) and a selfie holding the same ID. |
The agent will reply with the SSS number encrypted (e.g., 01-**-789-) and instructions to call back for verification; upon successful phone KYC they release the full number verbally or via a password-protected PDF.
4. Special Cases and Legal Pitfalls
| Scenario | What to Do | Governing Rule |
|---|---|---|
| You accidentally registered a second SSS number | File “Request for SS Number Consolidation” via My.SSS » E-Services – Requests; or visit a branch if the system flags conflicting data. | SSS Office Order 2019-027; penalty: suspension of processing until resolution. |
| Minor (below 15) lost the number | Parent/guardian must request; submit birth certificate and PSA-issued CENOMAR of the child, plus guardian’s valid ID. | RA 11199 § 9(e) + SSS Circular 2022-004. |
| Deceased member’s relatives need the number for funeral/mortality claim | Present death certificate & claimant’s ID to Funeral Benefit Desk or upload to My.SSS. | RA 11032 + SSS Funeral Benefit Guidelines (2021). |
| Data-privacy refusal | You may insist on executing a Data-Sharing Consent Form in lieu of submitting an ID copy; SSS must honor it per NPC Advisory Opinion 2020-014. |
5. After You Recover the Number: Best-Practice Checklist
- Record it securely – Password manager, encrypted notes, or a laminated card.
- Enroll in My.SSS (if not yet) to monitor contributions and loans.
- Update contact details so recovery is easier next time (My.SSS » Update Information).
- Enable mobile-app biometrics (fingerprint/Face ID) for password-less login.
- Do not create another SSS number – Each duplicate delays benefit claims and may trigger fraud investigation (§ 24 [c][3] RA 11199).
6. Frequently Asked Questions
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| Is there a fee for retrieval? | No. All retrieval channels are free except for SMS charges on TextSSS. |
| Can I authorize someone to retrieve it for me? | Yes, via Special Power of Attorney with two valid IDs each (SPA & representative) uploaded to My.SSS or presented at a branch. |
| Will retrieving my number reset my contribution posting? | No. Contributions are linked to the original numeric record, not to the possession of your ID card or portal access. |
| Can I proceed with a salary loan while the number is “lost”? | Only after you have confirmed the number; the loan form auto-fills the SSN. |
| Does SSS issue a new card when I retrieve my number? | No. UMID re-issuance is a separate transaction governed by CSC-GSIS-SSS JAO 2019-01; retrieval itself never triggers card printing fees. |
7. Template: Sworn Declaration of Loss (Optional for Branch Filings)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } CITY / MUNICIPALITY OF ________ } SS.
I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, presently residing at ____________, after having been duly sworn, depose and say:
- That I was assigned SSS No. (Unknown/Lost), originally issued on or about _______;
- That through inadvertence I misplaced all documents bearing said number;
- That I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing and to request official verification from the Social Security System.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ______ 2025 at __________, Philippines.
[Name]
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of ______ 2025…
(Not usually required for purely online retrieval, but still accepted by branches if identity proof is thin.)
8. Penalties and Offenses Involving SSS Numbers
- Using more than one SS number – Fine: ₱ 5,000 – ₱ 20,000 and/or imprisonment 6 yrs 1 day – 12 yrs (§ 28 [b] RA 11199).
- Unauthorized disclosure of another person’s number – criminal liability under RA 10173 (§ 28, unauthorized processing).
- Falsifying affidavits to obtain a new number – prosecuted under the Revised Penal Code falsification provisions.
9. Final Reminders
- Your SSS number is yours for life; retrieval does not “reactivate” or “renew” it—it simply reminds you what it already is.
- Always use official SSS digital channels; never disclose personal data through social-media comments or third-party “fixers.”
- If you encounter unusual delays (beyond five working days) after submitting complete requirements, escalate through the Contact-Center ng Bayan (CCB) at 1-6565 as provided in the Anti-Red Tape guidelines.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute formal legal advice. Laws, circulars, and internal SSS rules may change; always verify current procedures with the SSS or a qualified lawyer before acting on the information herein.