SSS bares loan amnesty program to members

The Social Security System said employees, self-employed workers and voluntary members with overdue loans can settle their unpaid principal and interest without paying the full amount of penalties under a new amnesty program starting on April 2.

SSS president and chief executive Emilio de Quiros Jr. said the amnesty “differs from the SSS loan penalty condonation programs in the past.” Its terms and requirements for applicants will depend on the type of delinquent borrower.

“SSS will waive 100 percent of penalties of qualified applicants whose loan delinquency was not their fault, such as members whose employers failed to remit their amortizations to SSS despite deducting loan payments from their salaries,” said De Quiros in a statement.

Members must have at least three contributions within the last six months before the month of application and present proof of deducted loan amortizations such as pay slips, company certification and notarized affidavits to be eligible for full condonation of penalties.

“They can pay their loan principal and interest in full, or avail of a three-year installment payment scheme at an annual interest rate of 3 percent,” De Quiros said. SSS will take legal action against employers that fail to remit their workers’ deducted amortizations.

The state pension fund will also offer amnesty to beneficiaries of deceased borrowers who will file their death claim applications within the availment period. SSS will waive 100 percent of penalties and the member’s delinquent loan principal and interest will be deducted from the death benefit.

De Quiros said delinquent borrowers who paid at least 3 amortizations could also apply for amnesty, provided that they have remitted a minimum of three monthly contributions within the last six months prior to the month of application.

“Members with at least three paid amortizations will have 90 percent of their penalties condoned if they pay in full. Those who will pay in monthly installments over three years at a 3-percent annual interest rate will have 80 percent of their loan penalties waived,” said De Quiros.

Borrowers filing total disability or retirement claims within the availment period will have 50 percent of their penalties condoned under the amnesty program. The outstanding loan balance and remaining penalties will be deducted from their retirement or disability benefit.

“The deadline of application for the amnesty program will be on Sept. 30, but beneficiaries of borrowers who passed away without settling their delinquent obligations can apply until March 30 next year,” De Quiros said. Elaine R. Alanguilan, Manila Standard Today