The Social Security System (SSS) has clarified the process of annual confirmation of pensioners (ACOP), which is mandatory for pensioners to continue receiving their benefits.

Dioscoro Madaguit, SSS-Bohol representative, explained the ACOP procedure in an interview with Newsmakers ug Uban Pa anchor Ardy Araneta-Batoy over station DYTR on January 11, 2024.

According to Madaguit, ACOP is a way to verify if a pensioner is still alive and has received his or her pension.

He said that pensioners living outside the country and those aged 80 or above in the country are required to comply with ACOP. He added that survivor pensioners, total disability pensioners, and other beneficiaries of SSS members are also subject to ACOP.

To complete the ACOP, pensioners need to appear personally at the nearest SSS office, Madaguit said. However, he noted that there are exceptions for those who are unable to do so.

“For those who cannot visit the SSS office, they can send a representative with the annual confirmation form, valid ID, medical certificate, and barangay clearance stating that the pensioner is still alive,” he said.

He also said that pensioners living abroad can send an e-mail to SSS with the ACOP requirements and a selfie photo holding a current newspaper or showing a TV program with the date. He said that this is sufficient proof of the pensioner’s existence.

Madaguit said that SSS also accepts mailed ACOP applications and online meetings via Skype. He advised pensioners who want to use Skype to inform SSS beforehand and wait for a scheduled meeting.

He urged pensioners to contact their local SSS branch for more information.

The SSS is a state-run social insurance program that covers about 40 million workers from the private sector. The public sector workers are covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).