SSS Death Claim Procedure in the Philippines
A comprehensive legal guide under the Social Security Act of 2018 (R.A. 11199) and related issuances
1. Legal Foundations & Governing Rules
| Source | Key Provisions Relevant to Death Claims |
|---|---|
| Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018) | §§ 13–13‑A (death benefits), § 14‑B (funeral benefit), § 16 (beneficiary hierarchy), § 23 (prescriptive periods), § 5(k) (rule‑making power) |
| SSS Circulars & Office Orders | Detailed documentary requirements, on‑line filing mechanics (e.g., Cir. 2021‑003, Cir. 2022‑017) |
| Supreme Court & Court of Appeals jurisprudence | Clarifies entitlement of common‑law spouses (e.g., SSS v. Davac, G.R. 181359, 2015) and prescriptive‑period issues (e.g., SSS v. Penaranda, CA‑G.R. SP 100099, 2013) |
| Civil Code of the Philippines | Arts. 960–1016 (succession), Arts. 148‑147 (property relations of partners), used by SSS when no explicit beneficiary |
2. Who May Claim
SSI distinguishes three classes of beneficiaries (Sec. 16, R.A. 11199):
- Primary – dependent spouse (until remarriage) and dependent legitimate, legitimated, legally adopted, or illegitimate children under 21 (or over 21 if permanently incapacitated).
- Secondary – dependent parents, only if there are no primary beneficiaries.
- Designated or Legal Heirs – persons named in the member’s Beneficiary Information Form (BIF); if none, intestate heirs per the Civil Code.
Tip: Where there are dependents, secondary or designated heirs cannot supersede them.
3. Types of Benefits
| Benefit | When Payable | Amount / Computation |
|---|---|---|
| Death Benefit (Monthly Pension) | Member paid at least 36 monthly contributions prior to semester of death | Higher of: 1) Php 1,000–2,400 minimum plus P10/yr CYS*; or 2) 40 % of AMSC**; or 3) Php 1,200 if CYS = 10–20 / Php 2,400 if CYS > 20 |
| Death Benefit (Lump‑Sum) | Member paid less than 36 monthly contributions | Equivalent to total contributions + interest, or monthly pension × 60, whichever is higher |
| Funeral Benefit | Paid to whoever shouldered burial expenses (not necessarily a beneficiary) | Php 20,000–40,000 (indexed to AMSC and years of service) |
* CYS = Credited Years of Service ** AMSC = Average Monthly Salary Credit (top 60 MSCs or all, whichever is fewer)
4. Documentary Requirements (Core Set)
Death Certificate – PSA‑SECPA or authenticated by LCR.
Claimant’s valid IDs (at least one photo and signature ID; if minor, birth certificate + guardian ID).
SSS Death Claim Application (DCA) Form.
SSS‑issued Unified Multi‑Purpose ID (UMID) / SSS digitized ID of deceased (if available).
Supporting Beneficiary Docs
- Marriage certificate (spouse)
- Birth certificates of all dependent children
- Parent’s birth certificate (secondary beneficiary)
- BIF or notarized Affidavit of Undertaking (for common‑law spouse)
Funeral Claim Form (if applying for funeral benefit) plus official receipts.
Special/Additional
- Guardian’s Bond/Court Order if managing benefits of minors > P500,000.
- Affidavit of Dependency when multiple claimants.
- Certificate of Non‑Marriage (CENOMAR) if common‑law partner claims.
- Report of Death (RD‑1) from employer if member was employed at time of death.
5. Step‑by‑Step Filing Process
| Stage | What Happens | Time limits / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Prepare | Gather all documents; scan clear PDF copies for online filing. | Check names & dates exactly match PSA records to avoid “discrepant data” flags. |
| 2 – Online Submission (preferred) | Log‑in to My.SSS → e‑Services → “Apply for Death Claim” → upload docs. | Immediate system validation. An “SS Number with pending disbursement bank enrolment” must enrol via Disbursement Account Enrolment Module (DAEM) first. |
| 3 – Branch Filing (legacy / complex cases) | Book an Appointment System slot → submit originals at chosen branch. | Required when: claimed by guardian, dispute on beneficiaries, foreign death certificate. |
| 4 – Evaluation by Benefits Administration Department (BAD) | SSS verifies contributions, eligibility, authenticity. May issue Notice of Deficiency within 30 days for missing docs. | Applicant must comply within 60 days or claim lapses → re‑file. |
| 5 – Approval & Disbursement | SMS / email confirmation; pension credited to enrolled bank/e‑wallet; funeral benefit via cheque or PESONet. | Turn‑around: 10‑20 working days simple online; 30‑45 days branch‑filed. |
| 6 – Issuance of Certificate of Survivorship | Required by some banks/GSIS to release deceased’s deposits or other benefits. | SSS provides upon request, free of charge. |
6. Prescriptive Periods & Appeal
- 10 years from date of death to file (Sec. 23, R.A. 11199).
- Denial may be appealed to the Social Security Commission (SSC) within 60 days, then to the Court of Appeals via Rule 43, and finally to the Supreme Court via Rule 45.
7. Computation Examples
Example 1 – Pension Member paid 180 contributions with AMSC = ₱15,000 Formula 1: ₱1,000 + (180/12 = 15 yrs × ₱10) = ₱1,150 Formula 2: 40 % × ₱15,000 = ₱6,000 Formula 3: CYS > 20 ⇒ ₱2,400 Monthly Pension = ₱6,000 (highest)
Example 2 – Lump‑Sum Member paid 24 contributions totalling ₱57,600 Expected pension ₱3,200 × 60 months = ₱192,000 Lump‑sum = higher of ₱57,600 vs ₱192,000 Pay‑out = ₱192,000 plus funeral benefit.
8. Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Inconsistent names/dates across PSA documents are the #1 cause of delay—secure Affidavit of Discrepancy early.
- If the deceased has un–posted contributions, request employer to file R‑5 Contribution Collection List correction before filing claim.
- Common‑law spouses must prove actual cohabitation and dependency—collect barangay certifications, joint bank statements, children’s birth certs listing both parents.
- Overlapping claims (e.g., two “wives”) lead to pro‑rated pensions; SSS issues Resolution after fact‑finding.
- Members who die abroad: PSA transcribed foreign death cert plus DFA legalization/apostille.
- Funeral benefit may be claimed even after death benefit lapses, provided receipts show payment.
- Pension split among children ceases individually as each child turns 21; share automatically re‑computes without new filing.
- For minor/disabled pensioners, open an In‑Trust‑For (ITF) bank account to avoid guardianship bond.
9. Frequent‑Asked Questions
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a minimum number of contributions for any benefit? | No minimum for a lump‑sum; at least 36 contributions for pension. |
| Can a separated spouse still claim? | Yes, as long as not remarried and still legally married at time of death. |
| Is the 13th‑month pension granted? | Yes—automatic every December to qualified monthly pensioners. |
| What about GSIS‑covered government employees with previous SSS membership? | SSS still pays benefits based on SSS contributions; no portability needed unless opting for RA 7699 (Portability Law) totalization. |
| Are taxes withheld on death benefits? | No. SSS benefits are exempt from income tax and estate tax. |
10. Conclusion
The SSS death claim system balances social insurance protection with stringent verification to prevent fraud. Timely preparation of complete documents and familiarity with beneficiary hierarchy shorten processing time and ensure that survivors receive the full pension or lump‑sum to which they are entitled. Claimants should make full use of the My.SSS portal, heed prescriptive periods, and assert their appeal rights when necessary.
Prepared 17 July 2025 | For educational purposes; consult qualified counsel or SSS branch officers for case‑specific advice.