Circular 2012-004
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The document outlines guidelines for the annual confirmation of pensioners (ACOP) by the Social Security System of the Philippines to ensure pension eligibility. Key points include: 1) Pensioners will be notified 2 months in advance and have 3 months to comply by presenting identification or documentation. 2) Compliance involves an in-person check-in or document submission depending on circumstances. 3) Non-compliance will suspend pension payments after 1 month, and undue payments must be recovered. The ACOP is meant to confirm pensioners' continued eligibility on an annual basis.
Circular 2012-004
- 1. CIRCULAR NO. 2012 - 004 TO : ALL SSS PENSIONERS (Retirement, Death and Total Disability) SUBJECT : ANNUAL CONFIRMATION OF PENSIONERS The Social Security Commission in its Resolution No. 350s-2011 dated March 16, 2011, approved the following Guidelines in the Conduct of the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) and Medical Assessment of Total Disability Pensioners to ensure continuous eligibility to pension in accordance with the Social Security Law. A. Notification In the initial implementation of ACOP, existing pensioners shall be notified through letter two months prior to their month of contingency. Subsequently, the pensioner shall be informed of the next ACOP schedule through the "Notice of Schedule" of the ACOP Form. Prospective pensioners shall be informed of their schedule of confirmation through the check voucher or payment notice. B. Compliance Period of Pensioners Pensioners shall have three (3) months from the date of SSS notification letter up to the last day of contingency month to comply. C. Manner of Compliance of Pensioners 1. All total disability, retiree and death pensioners shall be required to present themselves for ACOP during their month of contingency; i.e., for total disability pensioner, month of disability; for death pensioner, month of member's death; for retiree pensioner, month of retirement. a. All total disability pensioners shall report to any SSS branch. b. All retiree and death pensioners receiving pension through the bank shall report to their respective depository bank. c. All retiree and death pensioners under guardianship and those receiving pension thru check shall report to any SSS branch.
- 2. 2. Pensioners who are unable to report personally due to the following conditions shall submit the required documents either through their representatives or through mail to the nearest SSS branch: • Pensioner is either wheelchair-borne, in respiratory distress, with IV fluid or other debilitating conditions; or • Pensioner is confined in institution such as retirement home, nursing facility, hospital, correctional institution, penitentiary, rehabilitation center; or • Pensioner is residing abroad a. Conduct of Fact of Pensioner's Existence (FPE) shall be mandatory for the following local resident retiree/death pensioners whose compliance is through representative or through mail: • Pensioner who is 80 years old and above; or • Pensioner with guardian. b. Conduct of Medical Fieldwork Services (MFS) shall be done for local resident total disability pensioners whose compliance is through representative or through mail. 3. For pensioners who cannot sign, two persons shall be required to witness the affixing of the pensioner’s fingerprints and shall sign on the appropriate portion of the ACOP Form and a photocopy of the valid ID with photo and signature of the witnesses shall be attached. D. Required Documents 1. Pensioners who are able to report personally shall submit the following documents to SSS or the bank where they are receiving their pension: a. Accomplished ACOP Form; and b. SS Card or two valid IDs, both with signature and at least one with photo 2. Pensioners who are unable to report personally shall submit the following documents through their representatives or through mail to the nearest SSS branch: a. Accomplished ACOP Form; b. Photocopy of SS Card or two valid IDs, both with signature and at least one with photo; and c. Additional Documents: c.1 Total Disability Pensioners c.1.1 For local residents confined at home • Sketch of residence c.1.2 For local residents confined in institution such as retirement home, nursing facility, hospital, correctional institution, penitentiary, rehabilitation center. • Certification from the applicable institution confirming pensioner's confinement. Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Page 2 of 4
- 3. c.1.3 For residents abroad • Complete physical examination report done within three months prior to the last day of compliance and certified by a physician indicating his license number and clinic address; • Laboratory or other diagnostic examination results applicable to disability; and • Photocopy of valid passport or any valid ID issued by host country governmental unit/agency where photo and signature are shown. c.2 Retiree and Death Pensioners c.2.1 For local residents confined at home • Sketch of residence; • Certification of pensioner’s existence from Barangay Chairman; and • Medical certificate done within three months prior to the last day of compliance and certified by a physician indicating his license number and clinic address. c.2.2 For residents abroad • Photocopy of valid passport or any two valid IDs issued by the host country governmental unit/agency where photo and signature are shown. c.2.3 For those confined in an institution such as retirement home, nursing facility, hospital, correctional institution, penitentiary, rehabilitation center. • Certification from the applicable institution confirming the pensioner's confinement. E. Suspension of Pension for Non-compliance with ACOP Non-compliance with ACOP shall result to automatic suspension of pension a month after the month of contingency. F. Recovery of Undue Pension Payments 1. For suspended pensions due to non-compliance to ACOP, recovery of undue pension payments shall be three (3) months from the month of suspension. 2. For cancelled pensions, the recall of overpayments shall be done immediately. In the first year of ACOP implementation, the total outstanding account balance but not to exceed the total payout including the interest shall be recalled. For the succeeding years, recall of pension shall be as follows: Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Page 3 of 4
- 4. For suspended pension, total amount of pension remitted, including interest, from the latest month of compliance up to the month of suspension. For cancelled pension, the total amount of pension remitted, including interest, after the effective date of cancellation. G. Resumption of Pension for Late Compliance Pensions of those who complied after the required compliance period shall be resumed and the recalled pensions from bank, if any, and all accrued pensions shall be returned to the bank. This supersedes Circular 15-P dated 06 April 2004. (Original Signed) EMILIO S. DE QUIROS, JR. President and CEO APPROVED BY: SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION (Original Signed) JUAN B. SANTOS Chairman 18 January 2012 Date (Policies & Procedures - Benefits) Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Page 4 of 4