SSS Self-Employed Contribution: Guide for Filipino freelancers

The Social Security System (SSS)¹ is an important safety net to support Filipinos during periods of financial need. If you’re employed your employer may help take care of some of your SSS payments - but as a freelancer or self employed person, you’ll need to figure out and manage the full SSS self employed contributions yourself.

Understanding and keeping up to date with your SSS contributions is crucial to ensure you’re entitled to support if you’re unable to work through sickness, unemployed, or take time off for maternity leave, for example. This guide walks through where to pay your SSS contribution, and how to figure out what you owe, with the SSS contribution table for 2024. We’ll also touch on Wise, a great way for freelancers to get paid from abroad.

What is SSS?

The Social Security System (SSS) is a government managed fund, which employers, employees, self employed people and voluntary members pay into. The fund is then used to support members in times of need, such as if you become unable to work through sickness or are unemployed.

In the Philippines, SSS membership may entitle you to the following benefits if you require them:

• Sickness benefit
• Maternity benefit
• Retirement benefit
• Death benefit
• Funeral benefit
• Unemployment benefit

This guide walks through important information about how to make either a SSS compulsory contribution or a SSS voluntary contribution, and how to compute SSS contributions in person or online.

Bear in mind that SSS rates and payment options can change from time to time and it’s important to check all the latest details before you make a payment. Failing to pay on time or in full could lead to you losing your coverage and benefit eligibility or require you to pay penalties. If you’re unsure of what needs to be paid in your particular case, seek professional advice.

Difference between self-employed vs voluntary SSS contribution

The SSS Program has two membership types - Compulsory and Voluntary. Compulsory members are split into workers and individual members, and can include:

• Employers (Business or Household Employer)
• Employees
• Self-Employed people
• Househelper or Kasambahay
• Overseas Filipino Workers

You can also pay into SSS as a voluntary member. This applies for non-working spouses of SSS members and separated members, and in some cases for Filipinos living permanently overseas.

As a freelancer or a self-employed person, you’re likely to be required to pay SSS contributions on a compulsory basis, to ensure you have adequate cover if you ever require benefits and financial support.

How to compute SSS contribution for self-employed individuals?

The SSS contribution you pay depends on your income². As a self employed person you may be required to pay:

• SS contribution (SS)
• Employees’ compensation (EC)
• Workers' investment and savings program (WISP) contributions

The SS contribution you pay is set according to your monthly income, while EC is 10 PHP per month for incomes up to 15,000 PHP, when it rises to 30 PHP per month. WISP payments apply on a mandatory basis to people earning more than 20,000 PHP, although you may also be able to make contributions to this retirement savings plan on a lower income, by making voluntary payment if you choose to.

At the time of writing, SS contributions for self-employed people and freelancers in the Philippines are 14% of taxable income.

You’ll be able to calculate your SS contribution using the SSS app or contribution tables which are available online. Here are a couple of example payments, based on different income levels:

You can find the full Self-employed SSS Contribution Table 2024 here. Remember that contribution requirements can change from time to time, so you’ll need to make sure you have the most up to date information available before you make your payments.

Where to pay SSS contributions for self-employed individuals?

You can pay your SSS contributions in various different ways. There are in app and online payment options, but you can also pay in cash or a cheque in SSS offices, branch locations of select banks and through ATM machines in some banks. This gives flexibility for you to make your contributions in the best way based on your personal preferences. Payments are usually made either monthly or quarterly, depending on your payment arrangement - check your SSS account online to make sure you know the deadlines on your account.

How to check SSS contribution online

You can access your SSS records, check contributions and get up to date information about the status of claims by creating a SSS account online. This is done on the SSS website by entering the membership portal.

Here’s an outline of the process to register an online SSS account³:

1. Visit the SSS website: SSS.gov.ph, click on the option Member, and then Register
2. Enter your personal information following the prompts
3. Confirm your details, select a password and create a security question
4. Once your account has been secured and verified you can log into the member area and view your contribution information

How to pay SSS contribution online for freelancers?

If you’re paying your SSS contributions in cash at a location or by cheque, you’ll need to fill out SS Form RS-5 (Contributions Payment Return) and pass it over when you pay⁴. The easier option is to pay online or in the SSS app.

In the app, you can pay in PHP using GCash, PayMaya, your Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) account, or a debit or credit card. Online you can pay through the app or website of an accredited SSS collecting partner, which includes GCash, PayMaya, Robinsons Bank Corporation (RBC), or Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP).

Your SSS contributions must be made in PHP, so if you’re working with overseas clients and receiving payments in foreign currencies, you’ll have to convert your income to PHP to use it. In this case, Wise can help, with a flexible multi-currency account you can use to receive overseas payments to spend or convert, using the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.33%.

Getting paid from overseas? Receive money from abroad without hidden fees with Wise

If you’re a freelancer or a dependent of an overseas foreign worker, receiving payments has never been easier with the Wise account!

The Wise account lets you receive money for free from abroad, without the need to have bank accounts in multiple countries. You can get your own unique bank account details in 8+ different currencies (including USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HUF, NZD, SGD, and TRY) and receive like a local.

After you’ve received the money you can easily move funds from your Wise Account to your local bank account or e-wallet, by converting to PHP at the mid-market exchange rate - like the one you see on Google - and low transparent fees!

Use our handy calculator to see how much you'll actually be getting:

It also comes with the Wise prepaid card, which lets you spend globally in 150+ countries and shop online at the same mid-market rate. Start bringing your money home in a smart way without extra hidden fees with Wise⁵!

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1. Social Security System (SSS)
2. SSS self employed coverage
3. SSS - create an account
4. SS Form RS-5 (Contributions Payment Return)
5. Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information