SSS Death Benefits in the Philippines: How to Claim Even If You Don’t Know the Member’s SS Number

This article explains the Philippine Social Security System (SSS) death benefit in full—who is entitled, what you can receive, and a practical, step-by-step way to file when the deceased member’s SSS number is unknown. It draws on the Social Security Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11199), its long-standing implementing practices, and standard SSS documentation rules.

1) What the Death Benefit Is

The SSS death benefit is a contingency benefit paid upon the death of a covered member. It is either:

a monthly pension (if eligibility/contribution conditions are met), or
a lump-sum (if the member does not qualify for a pension or if eligible beneficiaries are limited to secondary heirs).

A separate funeral benefit may also be claimed by the person who paid for the funeral, regardless of relationship.

2) Who May Claim (Order of Beneficiaries)

SSS follows a statutory order of preference:

Primary beneficiaries
- The dependent spouse (until remarriage), and
- The dependent children (legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, and illegitimate) who are:
  - under 21; or
  - over 21 but permanently incapacitated and dependent on the member.
Secondary beneficiaries
- The dependent parents, if there are no primary beneficiaries at the time of death.
Designated beneficiary / legal heirs
- If there are no primary or secondary beneficiaries, SSS may recognize a designated beneficiary on file or, absent that, the legal heirs under the Civil Code (usually via extrajudicial settlement or court order).

Key notes

“Dependent” generally means chiefly supported by the member.
Children share the pension according to rules that include both legitimate and illegitimate children; shares are adjusted as children age out at 21 or cease to be dependent.
The spouse’s entitlement ends upon remarriage (but children’s shares continue while eligible).

3) Pension vs. Lump-Sum (Eligibility Snapshot)

Monthly pension is payable to primary beneficiaries if the member paid at least the minimum required number of contributions (historically, long-standing practice has been at least 36 monthly contributions).
Lump-sum is payable when:
- the member did not meet the minimum contribution requirement for pension, or
- there are no primary beneficiaries (i.e., only secondary beneficiaries exist).

(SSS may recompute the amount when contribution records are updated, validated, or reconstructed—see “reconstruction” below.)

4) The Core Problem: You Don’t Know the Member’s SSS Number

This happens often—especially where:

the deceased never kept a UMID/SSS ID,
had multiple employers who handled enrollment on their behalf, or
worked informally yet was previously registered.

There are two distinct scenarios:

A. The member had an SSS number, but the family does not know it

SSS can locate the SS number using the member’s identity details and employer history. Your job is to bring the best possible identifiers.

B. The member was never reported/registered by an employer (or never self-registered)

The law requires employers to report employees for SSS coverage. If they failed, SSS can establish coverage retroactively, assign an SS number, and reconstruct contributions based on employment and payroll records. SSS may pursue the employer for remittance and penalties; beneficiaries are not barred from claiming because an employer failed in its duty.

5) Evidence You Need When the SS Number Is Unknown

Bring originals and photocopies. Aim to cover identity, status, and employment:

A. Identity & Civil Registry

PSA/LCR Death Certificate (of the member).
PSA Birth Certificate (member).
PSA Marriage Certificate (if a spouse will claim).
PSA Birth Certificates of children (if children will claim).
Government-issued IDs of the claimant(s) and of the member, if any (UMID, driver’s license, passport, voter’s ID, PhilID, etc.).
If documents are unavailable or late-registered, bring LCR certifications, Negative Certification (no record), and affidavits explaining unavailability.

B. Employment & Contributions (to help SSS find or reconstruct the number)

Names/addresses of all employers, with approximate dates of employment.
Old payslips, company IDs, employment contracts, certificate of employment, S-Pay or contribution printouts (if any).
Withholding tax BIR Form 2316 copies, PhilHealth or Pag-IBIG records—these often help corroborate employment dates.
Any SSS E-1/E-6/UMID application receipts the member might have left.

C. Claimant-side requirements

Death Claim Application form (SSS standard death claim form).
Valid IDs of claimant(s).
Bank account/e-wallet enrollment details for benefit crediting (SSS uses a disbursement account enrollment process).
For minor children, bring the guardian’s IDs and guardianship documents if required (SSS can accept the natural parent; other guardians may need court/DSWD papers).
For incapacitated adult children, medical proofs of permanent incapacity and dependency.

D. For the funeral benefit

Official receipt for funeral expenses and the funeral claimant’s ID(s). (The funeral claimant can be different from the death-benefit claimant.)

6) Step-by-Step: Filing a Death Claim When the SS Number Is Unknown

Step 1 — Prepare an “SS Number Unknown” Packet Group the evidence above. Draft a simple sworn statement explaining that the family does not know the SS number, listing all known identities of the member (full legal name, any aliases, mother’s maiden name), and complete employment history you know.

Step 2 — Visit an SSS Branch (or set an appointment) Go to the nearest SSS branch. Inform the frontline staff you are filing a death claim and need assistance to identify or establish the deceased’s SS number. Present your packet.

Step 3 — Identity Tracing / Number Verification SSS staff will search internal databases using full name, date of birth, parents’ names, last known address, and employer reports.

If a match is found, they will confirm the SS number and pull up the posted contributions.
If multiple possible matches exist (common names), SSS will ask for additional identifiers (middle name, mother’s maiden name, old employer ID numbers, etc.).
If there is no registration on file, proceed to Step 4 (post-coverage establishment).

Step 4 — Coverage Establishment & Contribution Reconstruction (when never reported) If the member was employed but not reported by an employer, SSS can establish coverage retroactively. Provide employer details and any payroll proofs. SSS may:

Assign an SS number posthumously;
Require the employer to submit late reports and settle contribution remittances;
Credit reconstructed contributions to the member’s record.

Practical tip: If an employer has closed, SSS will accept secondary evidence (e.g., BIR 2316s, PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG coverage during the same periods, sworn statements from co-employees, old company IDs, or even photos/payroll slips) to corroborate employment. The more consistent documentation you provide, the faster SSS can validate service periods.

Step 5 — Benefit Computation & Determination Once the number and contributions are settled, SSS will determine whether the primary beneficiaries qualify for a pension or a lump-sum, and whether the funeral benefit is payable to the funeral claimant.

Step 6 — Disbursement Account Enrollment Enroll a bank account or approved e-wallet for crediting. SSS typically requires an account under the name of the payee (e.g., the spouse as payee, not a third party). For multiple children, SSS will set up pension shares and designate a representative payee for minors if needed.

Step 7 — Resolution & Release SSS issues a claim decision. If approved, benefits are paid to the enrolled account. If any child’s eligibility changes (e.g., turning 21), SSS updates the pension shares automatically upon notice.

7) Special Situations (and What to Prepare)

Multiple families / extramarital children Bring all children’s birth certificates. SSS recognizes both legitimate and illegitimate dependent children for sharing rules. Expect validation of filiation and dependency.
Spouse with nullity/annulment issues SSS may look at legal marital status at the time of death. If the marriage was judicially declared void and there is no remarriage, spouse status may differ. Bring any court decrees.
Common-law partner Not a primary beneficiary under statute. However, common-law children are included if filiation is proved.
No children; spouse survives The dependent spouse may qualify alone (until remarriage).
No primary beneficiaries Dependent parents (secondary beneficiaries) may receive a lump-sum.
All of the above unknown and no papers Start with PSA searches (birth/marriage/death) and barangay certifications; compile affidavits; and list every employer (even short stints). SSS can work from there.

8) What If the Employer Never Remitted?

The right of beneficiaries does not vanish because an employer failed to register or remit. SSS can:

Assess the employer for missed reports/remittances, and
Credit validly established work periods toward the member’s record.

Beneficiaries should still pursue the claim; SSS handles enforcement against the employer.

9) Timelines, Accrual, and Practical Tips

File as soon as possible. While SSS accepts late claims, delays can affect accrual of monthly pension (e.g., when payments start) and may require more reconstruction work.
Consistency matters. Names (including middle names), dates, and employers should be consistent across documents. If not, prepare affidavits of discrepancy.
Always keep copies. Submit photocopies with originals for verification and keep a complete set for yourself.
Data privacy & representation. If a non-beneficiary is assisting, bring a Special Power of Attorney from the claimant(s). SSS will only release sensitive member data to authorized persons with proof of relationship or authority.
Minors’ pensions. Expect a representative payee set-up; renew or adjust when children reach 21 or circumstances change.

10) Funeral Benefit (Quick Guide)

Can be claimed by whoever paid the funeral expenses (not necessarily a statutory beneficiary).
Bring the official funeral receipt, the funeral contract if any, and the death certificate.
Payment is separate from the death benefit and often processed faster when documents are complete—even if the SS number is still being traced, start the tracing immediately because SSS still must link the claim to the correct member record.

11) Appeals and Remedies

If your claim is denied or reduced:

Request reconsideration or review at the branch, especially if new evidence (e.g., additional employment proofs) becomes available.
Elevate to the SSS Commission (quasi-judicial).
As a last resort, seek judicial relief within the periods allowed by law.

12) Checklist: “No SS Number” Death Claim

Claim intent

State that you are filing a death (and funeral, if applicable) claim and do not know the SS number.

Identity

PSA Death Certificate (member)
PSA Birth Certificate (member)
IDs of claimant(s)
PSA Marriage Certificate (if spouse claims)
PSA Birth Certificates of children; guardianship/medical proofs if needed

Employment & tracing

List of all employers with dates
Payslips, company IDs, COEs, BIR 2316s, PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG records
Any old SSS/UMID receipts or forms

Forms & payout

SSS Death Claim Application form (from branch or portal)
Funeral receipts (if claiming funeral benefit)
Disbursement account (bank/e-wallet) under payee’s name
SPA if a representative will transact

Explanatory documents (if needed)

Affidavit explaining lack of SS number and any name/date discrepancies
LCR/PSA certifications for late or missing civil records

13) Bottom Line

You can claim SSS death benefits even if you don’t know the deceased’s SS number. The practical path is to file anyway, bring identity and employment evidence, and let SSS trace or establish the SS number and reconstruct contributions where necessary. Your benefits—pension or lump-sum—depend on the verified contribution record and the order of beneficiaries under the law, not on whether you happen to know the number at the outset.