The Social Security System’s (SSS) implementation of higher contribution rates further burdens the working class already struggling with the increase in the price of goods. This is according to former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares who advocated for an increase in SSS pensions in 2016.

The contribution rate of SSS was raised from 14% to 15%. This will take effect in January and will adversely affect private sector employees, domestic workers, self-employed individuals, voluntary members, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

SSS officials who receives salaries in hundreds of thousands a month claim that they cannot suspend the implementation of the necessary increase and that the “long-term viability” of the SSS will be affected if they do not implement the increase.

The old ₱700 rate for those with a monthly salary credit (MSC) of ₱5,000 and below, will be increased up to ₱760 per month for self-employed individuals and ₱750 for voluntary members. OFWs will be charged ₱1,200 per month, up from the previous ₱1,120 for an MSC of ₱8,000.

“The increase in SSS contribution rates is highly unjust,” Rep. Colmenares said. At the start of 2025, workers and ordinary Filipinos are already facing water rate hikes from Maynilad and Water, while Meralco is expected to increase electricity rates and a possible increase in petroleum prices on January 7.

“SSS has the utter insolence to increase contribution rates while it have yet to fulfill its promise of additional pensions. The SSS fund life and the SSS board’s high salaries and perks are more important than the lives of its members, who are the source of the agency’s funds,” Rep. Colmenares said. He pushed for legislation to increase SSS pensions by ₱2,000 in 2016, but the Duterte administration only enacted ₱1,000.

He added that SSS is just like PhilHealth which is rapaciously more concerned with funds than the benefits they provide to members. He called for the immediate suspension of the contribution increase, citing the agency’s failure to improve its collection efficiency.

The agency has not even explained its current collection rate and yet it will implement another. “This is a classic case of passing the burden to ordinary workers while failing to address fundamental issues in collection and management,” the former lawmaker said.