QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 4, 2026, to bring social protection and retirement savings directly to overseas Filipinos. The partnership promises to make SSS membership, benefits, and the MySSS Pension Booster more visible and accessible to millions of kababayans working abroad.
A Unified Front for OFW Welfare
SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes de Claro and CFO Chairperson Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II led the signing ceremony. Both leaders affirmed that the agreement strengthens inter‑agency cooperation to advance the welfare of Filipinos overseas. Their shared goal is to ensure that no OFW is left without a safety net, regardless of where they live or work.
The MOU builds on the existing KaSSSangga Collect Program, which already helped CFO’s own job order and contract workers gain SSS coverage. This new phase expands the collaboration to reach millions of overseas Filipinos globally. It signals that the government is serious about protecting its modern‑day heroes long after they have left Philippine shores.
Knowledge Is the First Step to Protection
A key pillar of the partnership is joint information, education, and communication campaigns. Many OFWs are unaware that they can continue paying voluntary SSS contributions while abroad. The agencies will now work together to spread accurate, easy‑to‑understand information about membership, sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and death benefits.
These campaigns will be embedded in CFO’s pre‑departure orientation seminars and migrant services. The goal is to reach OFWs before they even leave the country and keep them informed throughout their overseas journey. By simplifying complex processes, the partnership removes barriers that often prevent workers from securing their futures.
A Pension Booster That Grows with Every Peso
A major focus of the agreement is promoting the MySSS Pension Booster, a tax‑free provident fund that complements the regular monthly pension. The booster yielded a 6.97 percent return in 2023, making it an attractive investment vehicle. Workers can start with as little as ₱500 per contribution, with no upper limit.
For an OFW, this means every extra remittance can be turned into long‑term savings that grow safely in Philippine pesos. The fund is flexible, allowing members to increase contributions whenever they have extra income. It turns sporadic savings into a disciplined retirement plan that continues to earn even while they sleep.
A Bridge to a Secure Retirement
CFO Chairperson Ang II emphasized that financial literacy is essential for OFWs who often spend decades abroad but return home unprepared for retirement. The partnership will use the CFO’s extensive network to promote SSS programs directly to Filipino communities around the world. This includes online seminars, social media campaigns, and partnerships with Filipino organizations overseas.
SSS CEO de Claro added that the MOU is about more than paperwork; it is about ensuring that every overseas Filipino knows they have a government that thinks about their future. The collaboration aims to convert the temporary nature of overseas work into permanent financial security for families back home.
