‘Gov’t Contractual, Job Order Workers Can Join SSS Program’

Contractual and job order (JO) workers in the government can be covered by the Social Security System (SSS).

Under the KaltaSSS-Collect Program of the SSS, job order and contractual personnel can have access to SSS benefits and privileges as self-employed (SE) members with their monthly contributions to be remitted by their employers through salary deduction scheme.

“Government job order and contractual employees are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) since there is no employer-employee relationship with the government agency. Yet, through the KaltaSSS-Collect Program they will be covered as self-employed members for them to have access to SSS benefits and privileges,” SSS Legazpi information officer Jeanette Torallo – Mapa said.

Under this program, the SSS will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the government agency for implementation of the salary deduction scheme to remit the monthly SSS contributions of the JOs and contractuals.

“The MOA covering the salary deduction scheme shall incorporate the provision indicating the authority to deduct from the salary of the JOs the corresponding SSS contributions. Remittance of contribution shall be on or before the 10th of the following month,” she said.

At present, the SSS contribution rate for self-employed, voluntary members and overseas Filipino workers-members is 11 percent of the monthly salary credit based on the monthly earnings declared at the time of registration. The total contribution ranges from P110 to P1,760.

“Although SSS members can pay P110 as minimum contribution, we are urging them to pay higher contributions since the higher their contributions, the higher their returns and benefits as well,” Mapa said.

Furthermore, regular and permanent government employees can also become voluntary or self-employed SSS members and can enter into a MOA for their contributions to be remitted by their employer through salary deduction scheme.

Mapa also urged SSS members to avail themselves of the extension of the deadline of contribution for January to December 2018.

“SSS is urging its members who failed to pay their contributions for January to December 2018 to avail (themselves of) the extension of the deadline for payment until January 2, 2019,” she said.

With this extension, members who are separated from employment or ceased to be self-employed may opt for one-time payment of contributions for January to December this year on their account. Household or regular employers with overdue contributions can also pay without penalty.

After the deadline, SSS will resume its 3 percent penalty charge for employers with overdue contributions while self-employed, voluntary and non-working spouse will not be allowed retroactive payment of their contributions.

The KaltaSSS-Collect Program is featured in the “Usapang SSS: Talakayan on Air” edition of the “Ugnayan sa Bikol” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency – Albay, aired at DWZR-828 Khz Zoom Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am – 12pm. This activity is part of the PIA-SSS “Kontribusyon Sulit na Sulit” joint information campaign. (PIA5/Albay)