SSS contribution for OFW in 2026
Quick answer
Land-based OFWs are compulsory SSS members and pay the whole contribution themselves, like self-employed members. The rate is 15% of your monthly salary credit (MSC). The lowest MSC for OFWs is PHP 8,000, so the minimum contribution is PHP 1,200 a month; the highest is PHP 5,250 a month at an MSC of PHP 35,000. You pay from abroad with a Payment Reference Number (PRN) from My.SSS. Sea-based OFWs do not pay on their own: their manning agency remits for them as their employer.
Use our SSS contribution calculator to see the amount for your salary.
What are the requirements?
- Your SSS number. You keep the same number for life, even if you got it from a job in the Philippines.
- A My.SSS account to generate a PRN and check your records. See how to register on My.SSS.
- For a new SSS number: a scanned supporting document such as your passport, birth certificate, driver's license, PRC card or seaman's book.
- Your monthly earnings abroad in pesos, to choose your MSC.
How do you apply, step by step?
1. Get an SSS number, if you have none
Apply online through the SS number online issuance facility on the SSS OFW page. If you registered before and forgot your number, do not apply again; contact SSS instead.
2. Declare your earnings
The earnings you declare decide your MSC, which can never be lower than PHP 8,000. A higher MSC means higher benefits later, such as pension and sickness benefit.
3. Generate a PRN
Log in to My.SSS, open the Payment Reference Number (PRN) tab, choose Contributions, and fill in your membership type, the months and the amount. See how to generate a PRN.
4. Pay
Click Pay to pay online through Billeroo, or download the PRN as a PDF and pay at an accredited partner. SSS lists banks, cards, e-wallets such as GCash and Maya, and remittance companies for OFWs.
5. Keep the receipt, then check that the payment is posted
How much does it cost?
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly contribution at MSC PHP 8,000 (OFW minimum) | PHP 1,200 | For earnings below PHP 8,250 |
| Monthly contribution at MSC PHP 10,000 | PHP 1,500 | For earnings of PHP 9,750 to 10,249.99 |
| Monthly contribution at MSC PHP 15,000 | PHP 2,250 | For earnings of PHP 14,750 to 15,249.99 |
| Monthly contribution at MSC PHP 20,000 | PHP 3,000 | Highest regular Social Security contribution |
| Monthly contribution at MSC PHP 35,000 (maximum) | PHP 5,250 | PHP 3,000 regular plus PHP 2,250 Mandatory Provident Fund |
| SSS number, My.SSS account, PRN | PHP 0 | No fee |
The rates come from SSS Circular 2024-010, in force since January 2025. The part of your MSC above PHP 20,000 goes to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF), a personal savings account paid out with investment income at retirement, disability or death.
How long does it take?
- After you pay, log in to My.SSS and check that the months appear in your contribution record. Keep the receipt until they do.
- Deadlines: months January to September must be paid by 31 December of the same year; October to December by 31 January of the next year. If the deadline falls on a weekend or a Philippine holiday, pay on the next working day.
Where to go
- Online: My.SSS and the SSS OFW page.
- Before you leave: the SSS-DMW branch at the Blas F. Ople Building (DMW), Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City, tel. +63 2 8726 1679.
- From abroad: the SSS OFW Contact Services Section, +632 8364 7796, +632 8364 7798 or +632 8709 7198 local 1655 or 1656.
- In the Philippines: any SSS branch.
If you come home for good
Your SSS number and all your posted months stay yours. When your work abroad ends, you may keep paying as a voluntary member so that your pension and other benefits keep growing. If you move abroad for good as an immigrant, you can also stay covered as a voluntary member. Check the rules for your case on the SSS OFW page. Do the same for your Pag-IBIG savings and your OWWA membership.
Frequently asked questions
Is SSS mandatory for OFWs?
Yes. SSS coverage is compulsory for all land-based and sea-based OFWs. Land-based OFWs pay on their own, like self-employed members; manning agencies pay for sea-based workers.
What is the minimum SSS contribution for OFWs in 2026?
PHP 1,200 a month, which is 15% of the OFW minimum MSC of PHP 8,000.
Until when can I pay for past months?
Months January to September can be paid until 31 December of the same year. October to December can be paid until 31 January of the following year.
Can I pay in advance?
Yes. OFW members may pay months or even years ahead. If the contribution schedule later goes up, SSS may ask you to pay the difference.
Can I change my MSC?
If you are below 55, yes, as often as you want and by any number of brackets, as long as it stays at PHP 8,000 or more. From age 55, you can raise it only once a year and by one bracket, with some exceptions.
How do I pay SSS from abroad?
Generate a PRN on My.SSS, then pay online through Billeroo or at an accredited bank, e-wallet or remittance partner. Keep the receipt.
Do I need a separate SSS number as an OFW?
No. One person has only one SSS number for life. If you forgot it, contact SSS instead of applying again.
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