Ini-anunsyo ng Social Security System (SSS) noong June 10, 2024, na ang mga miyembro nito ay higit na mapaghahandaan ang kanilang pagreretiro sa pamamagitan ng MySSS Pension Booster program, na nag-aalok ng tinatayang 7.2 porsiyentong taunang return rate.
Ayon kay SSS President at Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, pinalitan ng SSS ang Worker's Investment and Savings Program (WISP) at WISP Plus at ginawang MySSS Pension Booster upang ipakita ang pangunahing layunin ng savings program, which is pataasin ang pondo ng mga magreretirong miyembro.
Ani Macasaet, ang MySSS Pension Booster savings schemes ay bahagi ng mga repormang hatid ng Republic Act No. 11199 o ang Social Security Act of 2018, na itinaguyod ni Finance Secretary Ralph Recto noong nanungkulan ito bilang senador.
Bukod sa pagiging Finance Secretary, si Recto ay nagsisilbi rin bilang chairperson ng Social Security Commission, ang pinakamataas na governing body ng SSS.
Pahayag ni Macasaet, “We want to thank Secretary Recto for helping pass this landmark legislation in 2019.
“We also want to acknowledge him for conceptualizing these retirement savings schemes, which we rebranded today as MySSS Pension Booster.
“So, we are grateful that he pushed for the inclusion of the program in the law, which is boosting the retirement funds of millions of members.”
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MALAKING TULONG SA SSS MEMBERS NA MAAGANG MAGRERETIRO
Binigyang-diin ni Macasaet ang kahalagahan ng early retirement planning sa muling paglulunsad ng MySSS Pension Booster na ginanap noong ding June 10, sa SSS headquarters sa Quezon City.
Dinaluhan iyon ng maritime professionals, Overseas Filipino Workers, self-employed professionals, at corporate executives.
Paliwanag ni Macasaet, “Aside from renaming the program, we also want to reposition the MySSS Pension Booster to cater more to corporate managers and executives, doctors, lawyers, OFWs, Filipino expats, seafarers, young professionals, among others, as we have identified their need for bigger retirement funds.
“We do not lose sight of the other SSS members through other programs, but our rebranding is a move towards capturing those who want to invest more and can invest more to enroll in the MySSS Pension Booster.”
Sinabi ni Macasaet sa mga dumalo na sa pamamagitan ng maagang pagpaplano sa pagreretiro, maaaring matiyak na mayroong sapat na oras upang maabot ang kanilang mga layunin kapag tuluyan na silang huminto sa pagtatrabaho.
Aniya, “Now is the best time to start building your retirement fund with the help of SSS.”
Hinikayat din ni Macasaet ang mga miyembro na magkaroon ng kontrol sa kanilang pagpaplano sa pagreretiro sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng MySSS Pension Booster program.
Mas madaragdagan kasi ang ipon ng mga miyembro upang mapaganda ang kanilang mga benepisyo sa pagreretiro, na maaari nilang makuha sa ilalim ng Regular SSS Program.
Aniya, “The MySSS Pension Booster is not just an ordinary retirement savings plan. It’s a safe, convenient, and tax-free investment opportunity that allows you to earn income from your contributions.
“By participating, you can attain your savings goal, ensuring a comfortable retirement.”
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SSS CONTRIBUTIONS IN SAFE HANDS
Sinabi naman ni SSS Vice President for Benefits Administration Division Joy A. Villacorta na ang MySSS Pension Booster ay binubuo ng mandatory at voluntary schemes.
Nagbibigay ito ng pagkakataong makatipid ang mga miyembro nang higit pa sa itinakda.
Pagtitiyak ni Villacorta, “Rest assured, your contributions and earnings to the MySSS Pension Booster are in safe hands.”
Paglilinaw niya, “As a member of this program, you will have your account managed by the SSS, where we will place your contributions and interest earnings.
“Your MySSS Pension Booster contributions for the mandatory scheme are paid together with your regular SSS contributions.”
Sa kabilang banda, sinabi ni Villacorta na sa voluntary scheme, ang mga interesadong miyembro ng SSS ay kailangang mag-enroll sa savings plan sa pamamagitan ng kanilang MySSS account.
Ang mga nag-a-apply pa lang para sa Social Security (SS) Number ay maaari ring magpatala sa pamamagitan ng pagsang-ayon sa mga alituntunin at kondisyon ng programa.
“For as low as PHP500 per payment in the voluntary scheme of MySSS Pension Booster, members can add to their savings, which grows over time," ani Villacorta.
“It’s a flexible scheme as members may contribute any amount, with the maximum based on limits set by our collection partners.”
Para naman sa biglaang pangangailangan ng cash, maaaring i-withdraw ng mga miyembro ang kanilang kabuuang kontribusyon kasama na ang investment earnings dahil pinapayagan ng SSS ang partial o full withdrawal ng kanilang savings sa programa.
Pero pagbibigay-diin ni Villacorta, “However, we encourage you to stay in the program for at least five years to maximize the potential earnings on your savings.”
Idinagdag niya na para sa mga gustong gamitin ang kanilang mga ipon sa programa para mapalaki ang kanilang mga pondo sa pagreretiro, mayroon silang opsyon na makuha ang kanilang kabuuang kontribusyon at interes kapag nakuha na nila ang kanilang retirement, total disability o death benefits mula sa Regular SSS Program, nang wala ring babayarang buwis.