Malacañang announced on Tuesday that the government would allow the Social Security System’s (SSS) contribution rate increase to proceed as planned, emphasizing that the adjustment is backed by actuarial studies and is necessary to achieve its intended impact.
The hike, mandated under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, marks the final stage of incremental increases that raised the contribution rate from 12% in 2019 to 15% this year.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, saying in an ABS-CBN News report, said the increases were carefully studied. “These adjustments are based on actuarial information… They conducted thorough studies on this,” he noted.
Bersamin stressed the importance of allowing the SSS to operate independently and implement policies aligned with its expertise. “If we always interfere in their management, it won’t work. Let’s give it time to deliver results,” he said.
The Executive Secretary also addressed calls for the suspension of the rate hike, notably from former SSS President Rolando Macasaet, who is running for a party-list position in the 2025 elections. “You must consider where the call is coming from. He’s a candidate,” Bersamin remarked, adding that any formal proposals would be evaluated if submitted officially.
SSS President Robert Joseph De Claro stated that while the contribution hike does not threaten the fund’s long-term viability, it is crucial to meet the immediate needs of members. He added that he has yet to discuss the issue directly with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
