I. Overview and Legal Basis

The Social Security System (SSS) assigns a unique, lifetime SSS number to every covered person. This identifier is required for contribution reporting, benefit filing, and all SSS transactions. The governing statutes are:

Republic Act No. 8282 (SSS Act of 1997), as amended by Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018), which mandates registration of members and employers and regulates benefits, contributions, and records; and
Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012), which protects personal data and governs access to, and disclosure of, member information.

Under these laws and their implementing rules, members have the right to access their own personal data and SSS records, subject to identity verification and security protocols. Retrieval of your SSS number is free of charge; fees apply only to optional certifications or card replacements.

II. Who May Retrieve an SSS Number

The member personally.
An authorized representative, upon presentation of a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) or notarized authorization, a valid ID of the member, and the representative’s valid ID.
Heirs or legal representatives of a deceased member (for claims administration), upon presentation of proof of death and legal authority (e.g., death certificate and proof of relationship, or court/settlement documents).
Employers cannot “assign” or “create” a number for an employee. They may verify a number the employee provides through employer facilities but cannot retrieve a forgotten number without the employee’s authorization.

III. Retrieval Pathways (Member-Facing)

A. Online (Member Portal)

Prerequisites

Prior registration to the SSS online member portal (commonly called “My.SSS”).
Access to your registered email and/or mobile number for one-time passwords (OTP) or account recovery.

Steps

Sign in to your online member account.
Go to Profile or Member Info; your SSS number appears on the account header or profile page.
If you forgot your username/password, use the “Forgot” recovery function. You will be asked for:
- Registered email or mobile number;
- Personal identifiers (e.g., date of birth); and
- Answers to security prompts or OTP. Once signed in, check your profile for your SSS number.

Notes

If you never registered online but already have an SSS number, you may create an online account by providing your SSS number (if known), or use other identifiers (UMID CRN, email, mobile) as allowed by the portal’s registration flow. If you cannot recall the number during registration, proceed to Branch Retrieval (Section III-C).

B. SSS Mobile Application

If you previously activated your online credentials, log in via the official SSS mobile app. Your profile screen typically displays your name and SSS number, and mirrors the portal features (OTP will still apply).

C. Branch Retrieval (In-Person)

What to bring

At least one (1) original, valid government-issued ID bearing your full name and photograph/signature (e.g., Passport, UMID, Driver’s License, PhilID).
Supporting civil registry documents if your name has changed or if there are discrepancies (e.g., PSA Birth/Marriage Certificate, annotated decisions).
If authorizing someone: SPA/authorization letter, member’s ID (copy), and representative’s original ID.

Procedure

Visit any SSS branch or service office. Use appointment systems if required by current branch protocols.
Accomplish the verification/request slip as instructed by the frontline staff.
Undergo identity verification. The officer will confirm your identity and locate your records.
Upon successful verification, the officer will provide or confirm your SSS number.
If records show duplicate numbers or discrepancies, you may be asked to file:
- Member Data Change Request (usually SS Form E-4) for corrections (name, birth date, civil status, etc.); and/or
- A merging/consolidation request if you have more than one SSS number (see Section VI).

IV. Special Situations

Never Registered Before (First-time Applicants).
- You do not “retrieve” a number; you apply for a new one using the online number issuance facility or at a branch. After successful registration, your SSS number becomes permanent.
UMID Card Holders.
- The UMID has a CRN (Common Reference Number) which links records across agencies; your SSS number remains distinct. If you cannot see your SSS number on the UMID, retrieve it via the portal/app or the branch.
Overseas Filipinos (OFWs).
- If online access is unavailable, you may coordinate with SSS foreign offices or Philippine embassies/consulates that host SSS services, or authorize a representative in the Philippines via SPA.
Minors/Students.
- Retrieval is generally done by the member; if the member is a minor, a parent/guardian may assist, subject to documentary proof of parental authority/guardianship.
Deceased Members.
- For death, funeral, or survivor claims, heirs may ask SSS to verify the number using proofs of death and relationship and, where applicable, legal instruments (e.g., extrajudicial settlement or court orders).

V. Identity Verification and Data Privacy

SSS must verify identity before releasing a number. Expect multi-factor checks: visual ID inspection, knowledge-based questions, OTP, or biometrics where available.
Under the Data Privacy Act, SSS will only disclose the SSS number to the data subject or a duly authorized/legal representative. Unauthorized access or disclosure can trigger civil, administrative, and criminal liability.
Keep your SSS number confidential. Avoid sharing it publicly or through unverified channels.

VI. Duplicate SSS Numbers and Corrections

Holding multiple SSS numbers is prohibited and can delay benefits and posting of contributions.

If you discover a duplicate:

Report it immediately at a branch (or through official support channels if available).
File a merging request and Member Data Change Request (E-4), attaching IDs and civil registry documents.
SSS will consolidate your records into a single, active SSS number and cancel the others. Keep the written acknowledgment or reference number of the consolidation.

Common corrections: misspelled name, wrong birth date, change in civil status, or citizenship. Prepare supporting documents (e.g., PSA certificates, court orders, or DFA authenticated records).

VII. Employers and HR Compliance

Employers must require an employee’s true SSS number for coverage and contribution reporting.
HR can verify the number through the employer portal using the data the employee provides but should not retrieve a forgotten number on the employee’s behalf without authorization.
For new hires who have never registered, advise them to apply for an SSS number; do not generate placeholders.
Mishandling personal data may expose the employer to data privacy liabilities and SSS compliance issues.

VIII. Typical Documents You May Encounter

SS Form E-1/Personal Record (historic or current equivalent): registration of personal data for initial coverage.
SS Form E-4/Member Data Change Request: corrections to personal information.
Authorization/SPA: for representatives.
Civil registry documents: PSA Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates, CENOMAR, court orders/annotated records.
Valid IDs: UMID, Passport, Driver’s License, PhilID, etc.

IX. Practical Tips and Pitfalls

Do not re-apply for a new number just because you forgot the old one. Always retrieve or verify first.
Keep consistent personal information across IDs and records to avoid matching issues (e.g., middle name vs. middle initial).
For name changes (marriage/annulment), update SSS promptly using E-4 to avoid claim delays.
If you used different names with different employers, consolidation and corrections may be required before benefits or loans are processed.
Maintain access to the email/mobile number tied to your online account; update them when they change.

X. Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to retrieve my SSS number? No. Retrieval/verification is free. Fees may apply to optional certifications or ID replacement.

Can I retrieve the number by phone or email? SSS may verify identity through official support channels, but for release of the number they typically require strong identity verification; you may be directed to the portal/app or to a branch, or to submit an authorization package for representatives.

Is the CRN on my UMID the same as my SSS number? No. The CRN is a cross-agency identifier. Your SSS number remains your primary SSS identifier.

What if my online account recovery fails? Proceed to Branch Retrieval with IDs and supporting documents, or complete any required forms for data correction.

XI. Compliance Checklist (Quick Reference)

Online/App

☐ Access to registered email/mobile for OTP
☐ Successful sign-in or account recovery
☐ View Profile/Member Info → SSS Number

Branch

☐ Valid government ID (original)
☐ Supporting civil registry documents (if discrepancies)
☐ SPA/authorization + IDs (if representative)
☐ File E-4 for corrections or merging, if needed
☐ Obtain reference number/acknowledgment of transaction

XII. Bottom Line

Your SSS number is permanent and legally protected. Retrieve it online through your member account or in person at an SSS branch with proper identification. Never maintain multiple numbers, and promptly correct any record discrepancies to ensure smooth contribution posting and timely access to benefits.