Here’s a comprehensive, plain-English legal article (Philippine context) on SSS Death Benefit Eligibility for an Unmarried Partner. It’s general information—not legal advice. The exact outcome depends on facts in the SSS file (who’s on record, contributions, marital status, children).

Big picture

When a Social Security System (SSS) member dies, two different benefits may be available:

Death benefit – either a monthly pension (if minimum contribution rules are met and there are “primary beneficiaries”) or a lump sum (if not).
Funeral benefit – reimburses the person who paid for the funeral, regardless of relationship.

SSS pays death benefits to categories of beneficiaries in order of priority set by law. An unmarried (common-law) partner is not automatically a beneficiary. Your best path varies by which category applies to your situation.

1) Who counts as a beneficiary (priority order)

A. Primary beneficiaries (first in line)

Legally married spouse (the “dependent spouse”), until remarriage; and
Dependent children (legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate) who are unmarried, generally below 21, or any age if permanently disabled before 21.

Notes • The dependent spouse must be legally married to the member. Common-law partners are not “dependent spouses.” • Children qualify even if the parents are not married (illegitimate or acknowledged children are included), subject to dependency/age rules and sharing mechanics. • If there are primary beneficiaries, they get the death benefit (pension or lump sum, as applicable). No other category is paid.

B. Secondary beneficiaries (only if there are no primary beneficiaries)

Dependent parents of the deceased member.

C. Designated beneficiaries / legal heirs (last resort)

Only if there are no primary or secondary beneficiaries, SSS may pay the designated beneficiary on the member’s records (E-1/E-4), or otherwise the legal heirs under the Civil Code (via proof like an extrajudicial settlement or court order).

2) What an unmarried partner can (and cannot) claim

A. Not a dependent spouse

A common-law partner cannot receive the spouse share of the SSS death benefit. Even if you cohabited for many years, SSS requires a valid marriage to treat you as the “dependent spouse.”

B. If you have common children with the deceased

Your children (if they meet dependency rules) are primary beneficiaries and can receive the death pension or lump sum.
As the surviving parent/guardian, you can file the claim on the children’s behalf and administer their payments (subject to SSS rules on representative payees, guardianship undertakings, and periodic certification).

C. If there are no children and the member was legally married to someone else

The legal spouse (if still legally married and not remarried) is the primary beneficiary—even if separated de facto.
A common-law partner does not qualify for the death benefit in this situation, but may still claim the funeral benefit if you paid the funeral (see §4).

D. If there are no children and the member was single (never married)

There is no “spouse.” SSS will look next to secondary beneficiaries (dependent parents).
If the parents are deceased or not eligible, SSS proceeds to designated beneficiaries or legal heirs.
You, as the unmarried partner, may qualify only if you were expressly designated on the member’s SSS records or you are a legal heir (e.g., via an extrajudicial settlement if you inherit under a will; otherwise, intestacy may exclude you).

E. If the member legally married you abroad or under a religious rite

You must prove a valid civil marriage recognized in the Philippines (civilly registered marriage certificate; foreign marriage must be valid where celebrated and recognized locally). If valid, you are the dependent spouse.

3) When does SSS pay a pension vs a lump sum?

Monthly death pension is payable to primary beneficiaries if the deceased had at least the required number of monthly contributions before the “semester of death.” (If the contribution condition is not met, SSS pays a lump sum instead.)
If there are no primary beneficiaries, SSS generally pays a lump sum to secondary beneficiaries, then to designated beneficiaries/legal heirs if no secondaries exist.

Practical reading: An unmarried partner never gets a spouse’s pension as such. Your realistic routes are (a) children’s claims (pension/lump sum), (b) your own claim only if designated (lump sum), or (c) as legal heir if there’s truly no spouse/children/parents and succession law allows it.

4) Funeral benefit (this one you can often claim)

The funeral benefit is payable to whoever actually paid the funeral/burial expenses—relationship does not matter.
Prepare official receipts in your name (or an assignment document from the payor), proof of death, and the member’s SSS number.
This is separate from the death benefit. Even if you can’t receive the death benefit, you can still be reimbursed for the funeral if you paid.

5) Documents & proof commonly required (plan for these)

Identity & status

Your valid ID(s)
Death certificate of the member
Member Data Record (if available) / SSS number
Marriage certificate (if you claim as spouse) – not applicable to a common-law partner unless there’s a valid marriage
Children’s birth certificates (showing filiation with the member)
Medical proof of disability (if a child is over 21 but permanently incapacitated)
Parents’ documents (if claiming as secondary beneficiaries)

Guardianship/representation (for children)

Claim for Death Benefit forms signed by you as guardian/representative payee
Affidavit/undertaking to administer benefits for minors; in complex cases SSS may ask for court guardianship

Designation / heirs (if no primaries/secondaries)

SSS E-1/E-4 showing you were designated; or
Extrajudicial settlement / Affidavit of heirship / court order establishing you as legal heir, if applicable

Funeral benefit

Official receipts for funeral expenses (in the claimant’s name), funeral contract, and proof of relationship (if any), plus death and member details

6) Frequent real-world scenarios (and likely outcomes)

Member was legally married (estranged) + has kids with spouse → Spouse + kids are primary beneficiaries. Common-law partner gets none of the death benefit (but can claim funeral if they paid).
Member was legally married (estranged) + has kids with common-law partner → All qualified children (spouse’s and non-spouse’s) share as primary beneficiaries. Spouse also shares as dependent spouse. Common-law partner can file on behalf of her minor children and may claim funeral if she paid.
Member never married + has kids with common-law partner → Children (if qualified) get pension or lump sum as primaries. The partner acts as guardian but does not receive a spouse share.
Member never married + no children + parents alive → Parents (if dependent) receive lump sum as secondary beneficiaries. Partner gets none, except funeral if paid.
Member never married + no children + parents deceased → Designated beneficiary (if any) or legal heirs get the lump sum. If you are named in SSS records, you may claim; if not, check if you qualify as heir under succession rules (often you don’t, unless by will).

7) Practical tips to avoid claim problems

Children first. If you’re a common-law partner, anchor your claim on the children’s eligibility and be ready to prove filiation (acknowledgment on birth certificate, paternity documents, DNA if contested).
Don’t rely on verbal “designation.” SSS follows what’s on file. If the member didn’t file a designation and there are parents, the parents likely outrank you.
Keep receipts in your name if you’ll shoulder funeral costs.
File early. SSS benefits are best claimed promptly; keep copies of everything you submit.
Separate civil issues. Property disputes with the legal spouse don’t change SSS hierarchy; they’re handled under family/succession law.

8) Quick checklists

If you’re a common-law partner with minor children of the member

Your valid IDs
Children’s PSA birth certificates (showing the deceased as father/mother)
Death certificate of member
Proof of the member’s SSS number/records
Claim for Death Benefit forms + guardian undertakings
Medical proof if claiming for a disabled child 21+

If you’re claiming the funeral benefit

Official receipts for funeral/burial in your name
Death certificate + SSS details of member
Funeral contract/statement of account

If there are no spouse/children/parents and you were designated

SSS E-1/E-4 showing your designation
Your IDs + claim forms
Death certificate

Bottom line

Common-law partners are not “dependent spouses” under SSS rules and generally cannot receive the spouse portion of the death benefit.
Your viable paths are: (1) Claim on behalf of your qualified children (they are primary beneficiaries); (2) Funeral benefit if you paid the funeral; (3) A lump-sum claim only if you are a designated beneficiary or a legal heir and there are no spouse/children/parents ahead of you.
File early, organize proof of filiation and payments, and be precise about your legal basis when you submit your claim.

If you share a few details (e.g., was the member legally married? any children? who paid the funeral?), I can draft a tailored claim checklist and cover letter you can attach to your SSS filing.