SSS says P100-B income enough for sustainability

MANILA, Philippines — The Social Security System (SSS) is unfazed by a nearly 30-percent drop in its net income in the first semester, saying its priority remains increasing benefit payouts to members.

According to SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro, the state-run pension fund would remain sustainable as long as its annual income stays at least P100 billion, even if earnings decline in the coming months.

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Latest data showed that SSS posted a 27.8-percent decline in first-half earnings to P48 billion, largely due to higher benefit payments, which rose 19 percent to P173.5 billion.

In 2025, full-year income reached P142.97 billion.

”We have other programs to ensure that we maintain a certain level. You always have to balance it. I think making P100 billion a year is already something sufficient that ensures sustainability of the fund,” de Claro told reporters, noting that the priority is to increase benefits for members rather than income.

”I would pump it (income) to where it matters, which are the members, pensioners, survivor pensioners,” he added.

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Earlier, de Claro said SSS is targeting to disburse more than P250 billion in benefits this year. But despite expectations of higher benefit payouts, he said there would be no increase in member contributions.

”Definitely not. As promised, we will not increase contributions until the end of the Marcos administration,” he said, adding that the fund’s 25-year life is “still very healthy.” INQ