In the Philippine legal landscape, the Social Security System (SSS) serves as a vital safety net for workers and their families. When a breadwinner—particularly a single parent—passes away, the law provides specific protections to ensure the continued welfare of their children. Under Republic Act No. 11199, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 2018, the surviving children of a deceased member are classified as primary beneficiaries entitled to death benefits.

For a single parent, whose household often relies on a single stream of income, understanding the mechanics of these "Survivors' Pensions" is critical for securing the future of the minor dependents left behind.

I. Defining the "Primary Beneficiary"

The law is precise regarding who qualifies for a pension. In the case of a deceased single parent (unmarried, widowed, or legally separated), the hierarchy of beneficiaries shifts.

Legitimate, Legitimated, or Legally Adopted Children: These children are considered primary beneficiaries.
Illegitimate Children: Under the Social Security Act, illegitimate children are also classified as primary beneficiaries. They are entitled to a share of the pension, though the law provides a specific distribution ratio if they coexist with legitimate children (usually 50% of the share of a legitimate child). However, in a single-parent household where all children are illegitimate, they may receive the full basic pension.

Age and Status Constraints: To remain eligible for the pension, the child must be:

Unmarried;
Not gainfully employed; and
Under twenty-one (21) years of age.

Note on Disability: If a child is over 21 but is physically or mentally incapacitated and incapable of self-support (provided the condition existed prior to reaching the age of majority), they may remain eligible for the pension indefinitely.

II. Eligibility Criteria for the Deceased Parent

The release of a monthly pension (as opposed to a one-time lump sum) depends strictly on the contribution record of the deceased single parent:

Monthly Pension: Granted if the deceased member had paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to the semester of death.
Lump Sum Benefit: If the deceased member had paid fewer than 36 monthly contributions, the surviving children are entitled to a one-time lump sum amount rather than a recurring pension.

III. The Composition of the Benefit

The financial support provided to the surviving children is not limited to a single figure. It typically consists of three components:

The Basic Monthly Pension (BMP): Calculated based on the member's years of service and average monthly salary credit.
The Dependents' Pension: An additional amount equivalent to 10% of the BMP or PHP 250.00 (whichever is higher) is paid for each dependent child, up to a maximum of five children.
The 13th Month Pension: An additional month of pension paid every December.

IV. Determining Guardianship

Since the beneficiaries are often minors, the SSS requires a legal guardian to manage the funds on their behalf.

Natural Guardians: If the other parent is deceased or absent (as is the case with many single parents), the SSS may recognize the person who has actual custody of the child.
Legal Guardianship: If the monthly pension exceeds a certain threshold (usually PHP 4,000.00), the SSS may require the guardian to post a bond or submit a judicial affidavit of guardianship to ensure the funds are used solely for the child’s education, health, and maintenance.

V. Termination of Benefits

The right of a child to receive the survivors' pension is not perpetual. It terminates automatically upon the occurrence of any of the following:

The child reaches 21 years of age (unless incapacitated);
The child gets married;
The child gains employment (becomes "gainfully occupied");
The death of the beneficiary.

VI. Required Documentation for Claims

To facilitate a death benefit claim for surviving children, the following documents are generally required:

Death Certificate of the deceased parent (PSA certified).
Birth Certificate of the children (showing the parent-child relationship).
Marriage Contract of the parent (to prove single status, e.g., a Certificate of No Marriage or a Death Certificate of a spouse).
Guardianship documents or an Affidavit of Dependency.

The Philippine social security framework recognizes the unique vulnerability of children in single-parent households. By prioritizing children as primary beneficiaries, the law seeks to mitigate the economic shock of a parent's passing, ensuring that the right to subsistence and education is preserved despite the loss of the provider.