The Social Security System (SSS) aims to link its member database with the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) by December so members can update their personal information more easily, particularly their email addresses and mobile phone numbers.
SSS President and CEO Victor Alfonso Limlingan told The Manila Times on Saturday that the integration would let the agency verify members’ identities through the national ID and simplify changes to membership records.
“Hopefully by December, we’re tying up with the national ID. So, we can verify your identity. And then you can update your emails,” Limlingan said. He identified email addresses and mobile numbers as two of the most difficult details for members to update.
Record updates account for much of the traffic at SSS branches. About 60 percent of the people lining up are there to update personal information, Limlingan said, making it one of the agency’s biggest service concerns. The SSS has about 40 million members.
Limlingan said easier updates must not weaken account security. He cautioned against removing requirements that protect accounts from hacking, identity theft and scams. Any system change, he said, has to account for the entire membership, particularly senior citizens, who may be more vulnerable to fraudulent messages.
The state pension fund is also exploring arrangements with its partner banks to pass updated member information to the SSS database. The national ID integration is among the measures being pursued to reduce branch queues and improve access to SSS services, Limlingan said. It forms part of a broader effort to improve the SSS website, online portal and mobile application.
Limlingan also said the agency is considering managed services and outsourcing some information technology functions. He cited difficulty in recruiting qualified IT personnel at government salary levels.
The SSS has worked with the national ID system before. The Philippine Statistics Authority announced in July 2023 that the SSS would adopt the PhilSys registry for social security services. Under the memorandum of understanding, the SSS and the PSA agreed to share information and resources to support PhilSys objectives, including simpler public transactions.
Limlingan gave December as a target rather than a confirmed launch date. The SSS has not yet said how the verification process will work for members.
