The Social Security System (SSS) on Wednesday, Oct. 25, raised the maximum amount of its funeral benefit program to P60,000

“The new guidelines provided under SSS Circular 2023-009 aim to incentivize active membership by raising the maximum amount of funeral benefit to P60,000 and streamline the provision of funeral benefits to claimants, especially for surviving legal spouses,” SSS President Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said.

Under the memorandum circular, claimants with more than 36 monthly contributions could receive about P20,000 to P60,000 in funeral benefits. This, however, was dependent on the number of a member’s paid contributions and average monthly salary credit (AMSC).

Members with less than 36 monthly contributions on the deceased’s month of death will receive a fixed amount of P12,000.

The enhanced funeral benefit program included embalming services, burial transfer services and permits, funeral services, cremation or interment services, the rent of a coffin or columbarium, and a funeral insurance plan.

“The funeral expenses, as indicated in the proof of payment, shall be reimbursed, but not to exceed the computed funeral benefit due,” SSS President said.

He underscored that the prescriptive period of filling for funeral benefits is 10 years from the deceased’s month of death.

“As we continue to pursue the provision of meaningful social security protection through simpler, faster, and more convenient processes, we also want to emphasize that actively paying SSS contributions will not only enable our members to qualify or remain qualified to our benefit and loan programs but also allow them to attain higher and better benefits,” Macasaet said.