How to File for SSS Death and Funeral Benefit Claim
The SSS Death and Funeral Benefit are cash benefits granted to the beneficiaries or legal heirs of a deceased SSS member. There are two types of benefits: the Death Benefit, which is a monthly pension or lump sum payment granted to the primary beneficiaries (surviving legal spouse and dependent children) of the deceased member; and the Funeral Benefit, which is a P40,000 cash grant given to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased member to help defray the cost of burial and funeral services.
Death and Funeral Benefit at a Glance
Funeral Grant
P40,000 cash grant paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses of the deceased SSS member, regardless of the number of contributions made.
Death Benefit
Monthly pension if the member had at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death; otherwise, a lump sum amount is paid.
Who Can Claim
Primary beneficiaries (surviving legal spouse and dependent children), secondary beneficiaries (dependent parents), or designated beneficiary as indicated in the member's SSS records.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the SSS Death and Funeral Benefit, the following conditions must be met:
- The deceased member must have had at least one (1) monthly contribution paid to the SSS before the semester of death.
- For a monthly pension (death benefit), the member must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions before the semester of death. If fewer than 36, a lump sum is paid instead.
- The funeral benefit (P40,000) is payable as long as the deceased was an SSS member with at least one contribution, regardless of how many total contributions were made.
- The death benefit claim must be filed by the qualified beneficiaries or legal heirs of the deceased member.
Who Can Claim: Order of Priority
The SSS follows a strict order of priority in determining who may receive the death benefit. The funeral benefit is paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses, regardless of relationship to the deceased.
1st Priority: Primary Beneficiaries
- Surviving legal spouse -- must have been legally married to the deceased at the time of death and must not have remarried
- Dependent legitimate children -- including legally adopted children, who are unmarried and under 21 years old (or over 21 but incapacitated and incapable of self-support)
- Dependent illegitimate children -- who are unmarried and under 21 years old (or over 21 but incapacitated)
2nd Priority: Secondary Beneficiaries
- Dependent parents of the deceased member who were dependent on the member for support at the time of death
Secondary beneficiaries can only claim if there are no primary beneficiaries (no surviving legal spouse and no dependent children).
3rd Priority: Designated Beneficiary
- Any person designated by the deceased member as beneficiary in their SSS records (E-1 or E-4 form)
The designated beneficiary can only claim if there are no primary or secondary beneficiaries. Only a lump sum benefit is paid, not a monthly pension.
Documentary Requirements
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Death Benefit / Funeral Claim Application | Duly accomplished SSS Death/Funeral Claim Application form (BPN-105). Available at any SSS branch or downloadable from the SSS website. Must be filled out by the claimant. |
| PSA Death Certificate of the Member | Certified true copy of the death certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Must be an original PSA copy, not a photocopy. The cause and date of death must be clearly indicated. |
| PSA Birth Certificate of Claimant(s) | PSA-certified birth certificate of the claimant to establish relationship to the deceased member. Required for children claiming as primary beneficiaries and for parents claiming as secondary beneficiaries. |
| PSA Marriage Certificate | PSA-certified marriage certificate of the deceased member and the surviving spouse. Required when the legal spouse is claiming the benefit. |
| Valid IDs of the Claimant(s) | At least two (2) valid government-issued IDs with photo and signature (e.g., PhilSys/National ID, UMID, passport, driver's license, PRC ID, voter's ID). Bring originals and photocopies. |
| Bank Account Details | Savings account details of the claimant for direct deposit of the benefit. Must be a single savings account (not joint) under the claimant's name. Accepted banks include LandBank, RCBC, PNB, UnionBank, and other SSS-accredited banks. |
| Official Receipts of Funeral Expenses | Official receipts or proof of payment for funeral expenses (for funeral benefit claim). Required to identify who shouldered the funeral costs. |
| Additional Documents (if applicable) | Court order for legal guardianship (if claimant is a minor); Affidavit of Guardianship; CENOMAR from PSA (if no surviving spouse); Adoption papers (if applicable); Solo Parent ID (if applicable). |
Step-by-Step: Filing the Death and Funeral Benefit Claim
The following steps outline the complete process for filing an SSS Death and Funeral Benefit claim. Both the death benefit and funeral benefit are typically filed together using the same application form.
Secure the PSA Death Certificate
Register the death of the SSS member with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) and obtain the PSA-issued death certificate. You can request the PSA copy through PSAHelpline.ph, PSA Serbilis outlets, or the PSA office. The death certificate must clearly state the cause and date of death.
Tip: File for the PSA death certificate as soon as possible after the member's death. It may take a few weeks for PSA to process and release the certified copy. You can start gathering other requirements while waiting.
Gather All Required Documents
Collect all the necessary documents listed in the requirements section above. Ensure you have the PSA-issued death certificate, birth certificates of claimants, marriage certificate (if applicable), valid IDs, and bank account details. Also prepare official receipts for funeral expenses if you are claiming the funeral benefit.
Important: All PSA documents must be original copies, not photocopies. Make sure the names and details on the documents are consistent. Any discrepancies may cause delays in processing.
Fill Out the SSS Death/Funeral Claim Application Form
Obtain the Death/Funeral Claim Application form (BPN-105) from any SSS branch or download it from the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph. Fill out all required fields completely and accurately, including:
- SSS number and personal details of the deceased member
- Date, place, and cause of death
- Full name, address, and contact details of the claimant(s)
- Relationship of the claimant to the deceased member
- Bank account details for benefit payment (savings account)
- Information on who shouldered the funeral expenses (for funeral benefit)
Submit the Claim at the Nearest SSS Branch
Visit the nearest SSS branch and submit the completed application form along with all the required supporting documents. The SSS representative will review the documents and check if everything is complete. You will receive an acknowledgment receipt confirming that your claim has been filed.
Note: The claim can be filed at any SSS branch nationwide, not just the branch where the member was originally registered. Bring original documents for verification; photocopies will be kept by SSS.
SSS Processes and Evaluates the Claim
After submission, SSS will process and evaluate the claim. The processing includes verification of the member's contributions and records, validation of the claimant's relationship to the deceased, and computation of the benefit amount. Processing typically takes 10 to 25 business days for funeral benefit and 30 to 60 business days for death benefit, depending on the completeness of documents and the complexity of the claim.
Receive the Benefit Payment
Once approved, the benefit will be credited directly to the claimant's enrolled savings bank account. The funeral benefit (P40,000) is paid as a one-time lump sum. The death benefit is paid either as a monthly pension (if the member had 36+ contributions) or as a lump sum. You can check the status of your claim through the My.SSS portal at my.sss.gov.ph or by calling the SSS hotline.
Monthly Pension: For approved death pension claims, the monthly pension will be deposited every month to the bank account of the surviving spouse or guardian of minor children. Each dependent child also receives a P1,000 monthly dependent's supplement, up to a maximum of five (5) dependents.
Example: Computing the Death and Funeral Benefit
Juan, an SSS member, passed away after 15 years (180 months) of SSS contributions. His average monthly salary credit (MSC) was P20,000. He is survived by his legal wife, Maria, and their two minor children (ages 8 and 12). Here is how the benefit is computed:
Funeral Benefit
The funeral benefit is a fixed amount of P40,000, regardless of the number of contributions or salary credit. This is paid to whoever shouldered Juan's funeral expenses. Maria, who arranged and paid for the funeral, submits the official receipts and receives the P40,000 funeral grant.
Death Benefit (Monthly Pension)
Since Juan had 180 monthly contributions (more than the 36-month minimum), his beneficiaries qualify for a monthly pension. The death pension is computed the same way as the retirement pension -- whichever formula yields the highest amount:
Formula A:
P300 + (20% x P20,000) + (2% x P20,000 x 15 CYS) + (P1,000 x 2 dependents)
= P300 + P4,000 + P6,000 + P2,000
= P12,300 per month
Formula B:
P1,200 + (2% x P20,000 x 15 CYS) + (P1,000 x 2 dependents)
= P1,200 + P6,000 + P2,000
= P9,200 per month
Result: Formula A gives the higher amount. Maria and the children will receive a monthly pension of P12,300. The P2,000 dependent's supplement (P1,000 per child) is included while the children remain qualified (unmarried and under 21).
CYS = Credited Years of Service. The minimum monthly pension is P2,000 (for at least 10 CYS) or P1,200 (for less than 10 CYS). Note: SSS also guarantees a minimum monthly pension of P8,000 effective 2024.
If Fewer Than 36 Contributions (Lump Sum)
If Juan had fewer than 36 monthly contributions, the death benefit would be paid as a lump sum instead of a monthly pension. The lump sum is equivalent to the total contributions paid by the member, or a minimum amount based on the SSS computation, whichever is higher. The funeral benefit of P40,000 is still paid regardless.
Benefit Summary for Juan's Family
Maria receives P40,000 (funeral) + P12,300 (first month's pension). Thereafter, she receives P12,300 monthly. The dependent's supplement stops when children turn 21 or marry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the death benefit and the funeral benefit?
The death benefit is a cash benefit paid to the primary beneficiaries (spouse and children) of the deceased member. It can be a monthly pension or lump sum, depending on the number of contributions. The funeral benefit is a separate P40,000 cash grant paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses, regardless of their relationship to the deceased. Both can be claimed simultaneously using the same application form.
How much is the funeral benefit?
The funeral benefit is a fixed amount of P40,000. This amount is the same regardless of how many contributions the member has made or the member's salary credit. As long as the deceased was a registered SSS member with at least one contribution, the funeral benefit is payable.
Can a non-family member claim the funeral benefit?
Yes. The funeral benefit is paid to whoever shouldered the funeral expenses, regardless of whether they are a family member or not. The claimant must present official receipts or proof of payment for the funeral expenses in their name.
How long does it take to process the claim?
The funeral benefit is typically processed within 10 to 25 business days from the date of filing with complete documents. The death benefit (monthly pension or lump sum) may take 30 to 60 business days due to the additional verification required for contribution records and beneficiary eligibility.
Is there a deadline to file for the death or funeral benefit?
There is no prescriptive period for filing the SSS death benefit claim -- it can be filed at any time after the member's death. However, it is advisable to file as soon as possible so that the beneficiaries can start receiving the monthly pension or lump sum without delay. For the funeral benefit, it is best to file within a reasonable period after the funeral while receipts and documents are still readily available.
What happens to the monthly pension when the surviving spouse remarries?
If the surviving spouse remarries, the monthly pension for the spouse will be suspended. However, if there are still qualified dependent children (unmarried and under 21), the pension continues to be paid for their benefit. The pension may be transferred to the guardian of the minor children.
Can the death benefit be claimed if the member was already receiving a retirement pension?
Yes. If a retirement pensioner passes away, the surviving qualified beneficiaries are entitled to the death benefit, which is 100% of the monthly retirement pension. The funeral benefit of P40,000 is also payable. The transition from retirement pension to death pension is automatic upon proper filing.
What if there are no primary or secondary beneficiaries?
If there are no primary beneficiaries (surviving legal spouse or dependent children) and no secondary beneficiaries (dependent parents), the death benefit will be paid as a lump sum to the designated beneficiary indicated in the member's SSS records (E-1 or E-4 form). If there is no designated beneficiary either, the benefit will be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased member as determined by the court.
Important Reminders
- File both claims together: The death benefit and funeral benefit can be filed simultaneously using the same application form (BPN-105) at any SSS branch. This saves time and ensures both claims are processed together.
- Notify SSS immediately upon death: While there is no prescriptive period, early notification allows SSS to stop any ongoing transactions (like salary loan payments) and begin processing the death benefit promptly.
- Keep funeral receipts safe: Official receipts for funeral expenses are required to claim the P40,000 funeral benefit. Make sure the receipts are in the name of the person who actually paid for the funeral.
- Update SSS records regularly: Members should keep their beneficiary records (E-1 or E-4 form) updated with SSS. This prevents complications when beneficiaries file for death benefits.
- Monthly pension may have a 13th month payment: Death pensioners receive a 13th month pension every December, similar to the retirement pension.
- Minor children's pension is managed by guardian: If the claimants include minor children, the pension is paid through the surviving parent or legal guardian. A court- appointed guardianship may be required if the surviving parent is also deceased.
- Beware of fixers: File directly at any SSS branch. SSS does not charge any processing fee for benefit claims. Do not transact with unauthorized individuals offering to expedite your claim for a fee.
- Check claim status online: You can monitor the status of your claim through the My.SSS portal at my.sss.gov.ph or by calling the SSS hotline at (02) 8920-6446.
Need Help?
Contact SSS
- SSS Hotline: (02) 8920-6446 to 55
- Toll-Free: 1-800-10-2255-777
- Email: members_relations@sss.gov.ph
- Website: www.sss.gov.ph
- My.SSS Portal: my.sss.gov.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (some branches open Saturdays)
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the SSS branch or office you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest SSS branch or office first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.