The Social Security System (SSS) concluded the year 2025 with a series of landmark achievements, significantly bolstering social protection for millions of members across the Philippines. The implementation of the Emergency Loan Program capped off a transformative period marked by pension reforms, enhanced loan services, expanded membership, and a major digital shift.
A Year of Transformative Reforms and Enhanced Benefits
SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro described 2025 as a turning point for the institution. He credited the direction from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and guidance from former Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and current Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go for enabling the delivery of better benefits, faster services, and wider coverage.
The cornerstone achievement was the 2025 SSS Pension Reform Program, which guarantees annual pension increases for all 3.8 million pensioners every September from 2025 to 2027. Retirement and disability pensioners will receive a 10% increase, while survivor pensioners will get a 5% increase.
Loan programs saw substantial improvements to ease the financial burden on members. The Salary Loan Program's interest rate was reduced to 8% from 10%, benefiting over 600,000 member-borrowers. Similarly, the Calamity Loan Program now carries a 7% interest rate (down from 10%) and features faster activation, aiding about 630,000 members.
A new Pension Loan Program was launched, allowing retiree pensioners to borrow up to P300,000 and surviving spouse pensioners up to P150,000. This has already served more than 30,000 pensioner-borrowers.
Expanding Reach and Digital Innovation
The SSS made significant strides in making its services more accessible and modern. It issued the MySSS Card, a 2-in-1 valid ID and automatic disbursement account, with nearly 10,000 cards received and almost 100,000 accounts enrolled.
To protect informal sector workers, the Contribution Subsidy Provider Program was rolled out. An initiative led by Double Dragon Corporation fully subsidized SSS contributions for 2,000 informal sector workers in Iloilo City and Roxas City for 12 months, with a total payment of P18.2 million.
Coverage was dramatically expanded through strategic partnerships. The SSS accredited 25 Cooperatives as Coverage and Collection Partners, facilitating services for over 200,000 cooperative members. Furthermore, partnerships with government agencies extended coverage to Job Order/Contract of Service (JO/COS) workers, resulting in more than 500,000 JOs registered and over 200,000 regularly paying contributions.
The year also saw the nationwide implementation of the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) Program to ensure employer compliance.
The Roadmap for 2026: Micro Loans, Global Expansion, and More
Looking ahead, the SSS plans to continue and build upon its 2025 successes. September 2026 will bring the second tranche of the Pension Reform Program, delivering another pension increase for all beneficiaries. The Emergency Loan Program will remain available until 9 December 2026 or until the relevant calamity declaration is lifted.
A key new initiative is the Micro Loan Program, approved in December 2025. With guidelines set, SSS aims to launch it early in 2026 through partner institutions. This program will offer a safer, affordable borrowing option for short-term needs, featuring a tenor of 15 to 90 days and an annual interest rate of 8% (0.67% monthly).
To ensure no Filipino worker is left behind, the SSS will aggressively expand its physical presence. Plans for 2026 include establishing Foreign Representative Offices in Madrid, San Francisco, and Macau, while opening 10 new branches within the Philippines.
To support this expansion and improve service, the SSS is embarking on a massive recruitment drive to hire about 1,800 new personnel. This effort aims to fully staff frontline services, both physical and virtual, to better handle member requests and complaints.
Other initiatives under exploration include a potential partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program, special programs for gig economy workers, and a contribution subsidy program for 2,000 OFWs backed by a P28.8-million commitment from Double Dragon Corporation.
President De Claro emphasized the institution's enduring mission: to make the SSS relevant at every stage of a Filipino worker's life by providing quality social protection, continuously enhancing service platforms, and promoting the value of saving for the future.
For more information, members may contact the SSS hotline at 1455, email usssaptayo@sss.gov.ph, visit any branch, or check the official website (www.sss.gov.ph) and social media accounts under the handle MYSSSPH.
