How to Pay SSS Contributions as a Voluntary Member in 2026
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How to Pay SSS Contributions as a Voluntary Member in 2026
Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, OFW, or stay-at-home mom — paying your SSS contributions as a voluntary member ensures you remain protected under the SSS program. Regular contributions give you access to major benefits, including SSS Maternity, sickness, retirement, and death benefits.
In this 2026 guide, you’ll learn exactly how to pay your SSS contributions as a voluntary member, understand the new SSS contribution rates, and see how your payments affect your future maternity benefit eligibility.
🌸 Why Paying SSS Contributions Matters for Voluntary Members
For new and expecting mothers, SSS Maternity Benefits provide much-needed financial support during pregnancy or recovery. You can only enjoy this benefit if you’ve paid at least 3 valid monthly contributions within your qualifying period.
💬 Good news: Even without an employer, you can maintain your SSS active status by paying as a voluntary member — ensuring your eligibility for SSS Maternity and other benefits.
👥 Understanding SSS Member Types in 2026
Before you start paying, it helps to know which SSS member category you belong to:
Member Type
Description
Business Employees Members
Employees working in private companies where contributions are shared between employer and employee.
Household Employees Members
Individuals working in households such as drivers, gardeners, or caregivers; employers remit their contributions.
Kasambahay Members
Domestic workers (house helpers, nannies) covered by the Kasambahay Law.
Self-Employed Members
Professionals, freelancers, or small business owners managing their own work.
Voluntary Members
Former employees or self-employed individuals who continue paying contributions to keep membership active.
Non-Working Spouse Members
Spouses of SSS members with no income but covered under their working spouse’s consent.
Land-Based OFW Members
Filipinos abroad paying independently or via accredited remittance centers.
If you recently resigned from employment, simply update your membership to Voluntary via your My.SSS account or by visiting an SSS branch.
🧾 Step 1: Update Your SSS Membership to “Voluntary”
When you stop working for an employer, your employer stops contributing to SSS. You must update your record before paying.
✅ How to Update
Log in to your My.SSS account.
Go to Member Info → Update Information.
Choose “Voluntary” as your member type.
Save and confirm your update.
💡 You can also update your record in person at an SSS branch if needed. Once updated, your next payment will automatically be recorded under your voluntary account.
💸 Step 2: Understand the 2026 Contribution Rates
Starting 2026, the Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) determines your contribution amount. You can choose your preferred MSC depending on your income capacity.
Below is the Minimum MSC Table for Voluntary Members 2026 — with breakdowns for Regular SS and MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund).
🧮 Minimum MSC Table for Voluntary Members 2026
Range of Compensation
Monthly Salary Credit – Regular SS
Monthly Salary Credit – MPF
Monthly Salary Credit – Total
Amount of Contributions – Regular SS
Amount of Contributions – MPF
Amount of Contributions – Total
below 5250
5000
0
5000
750
0
750
8750 – 9249.99
9000
0
9000
1350
0
1350
15750 – 16249.99
16000
0
16000
2400
0
2400
19750 – 20249.99
20000
0
20000
3000
0
3000
25250 – 25749.99
20000
5500
25500
3000
825
3825
29750 – 30249.99
20000
10000
30000
3000
1500
4500
34750 – Over
20000
15000
35000
3000
2250
5250
🟢 Note: ₱5,000 is the minimum MSC for voluntary members, while ₱35,000 is the maximum. Higher MSC = higher maternity and retirement benefits.
SSS voluntary members can pay monthly or quarterly. Payments must always be made on or before the deadline to count as valid.
Coverage Period
Payment Deadline
January – March
Until April 30
April – June
Until July 31
July – September
Until October 31
October – December
Until January 31 (next year)
⚠️ Important: Late payments are not accepted. Make sure you pay before the cutoff to avoid gaps in your record.
💻 Step 4: Generate Your Payment Reference Number (PRN)
Before paying, you must generate a Payment Reference Number (PRN) — this ensures your payment is properly credited.
🧭 How to Generate PRN
Log in to My.SSS.
Click “Generate PRN” under Payment Reference Number.
Select Voluntary Member.
Choose payment months and confirm.
Copy or download your PRN.
Once you have your PRN, you can pay through online apps, banks, or payment centers.
💳 Step 5: Choose Where to Pay
💻 Option 1: Pay Online
You can pay directly through your My.SSS account using partner channels like:
GCash
Maya
BPI Online
UnionBank Online
Your payment will automatically reflect in your SSS contributions table.
📱 Option 2: Mobile Apps
Quick and convenient options for freelancers and OFWs:
GCash → Bills → Government → SSS Contribution
Maya → Bills → Government → SSS
ShopeePay → Bills → SSS
Always double-check your PRN and member type before paying.
🏦 Option 3: Over-the-Counter
Accepted at:
Landbank
Security Bank
UnionBank
Asia United Bank
Bring your PRN printout and payment.
🧾 Option 4: Payment Centers and Remittance Partners
For those without online access:
SM Business Centers
M Lhuillier
Cebuana Lhuillier
7-Eleven (via CLIQQ kiosk)
🧮 Step 6: Match Your Payments with Your Maternity Qualifying Period
Your contributions must fall within your 12-month qualifying period before the semester of delivery.
Example:
If your Expected Delivery Date (EDD) is June 2026, the semester of contingency is Q2 2026 + Q1 2026, so your qualifying period is January 2025 – December 2025.
✅ You must have at least 3 valid contributions within this period.
Clarisse transitioned from office work to freelancing. By continuing her payments online, she qualified for ₱72,000 in maternity benefits in May 2026.
Rowena’s Story – OFW in Dubai
Rowena paid her contributions using GCash while abroad. Her EDD was November 2026, and she received her benefit credited directly to her Philippine bank account.
Leah’s Story – Market Vendor from Iloilo
Leah started paying ₱750 monthly as a voluntary member. When she gave birth in August 2026, she qualified for a ₱20,000 benefit — proof that small, consistent payments matter.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake
Effect
Solution
Paying without a PRN
Payment not credited
Always generate PRN before paying
Missing quarterly deadline
Payment invalid
Pay within the coverage quarter
Mismatch in member type
Payment not reflected
Update record to “Voluntary”
Gaps in contribution history
Ineligibility for benefits
Pay consistently
Paying below minimum MSC
Reduced benefit
Choose a higher MSC if you can
🧾 TL;DR – Quick Summary
✅ Update your membership to Voluntary.
💰 Choose your Monthly Salary Credit (MSC).
💳 Generate your PRN before paying.
🗓️ Pay on or before the quarterly deadline.
🧮 Use the SSS Maternity Benefits Calculator to confirm benefit eligibility.
🏦 Pay online or via partner centers for convenience.
❓ FAQs About Paying SSS as a Voluntary Member
1. Can I pay missed contributions? No. SSS only accepts payments for the current or upcoming quarter.
2. How often should I pay? You can pay monthly or quarterly — whichever is more convenient.
3. Can I increase my MSC anytime? Yes, before paying for the next month or quarter.
4. Do I need to visit SSS to pay? No. You can pay entirely online with a PRN.
5. How can I verify if my payment is posted? Check your My.SSS account → Inquiry → Contributions.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Paying your SSS contributions as a voluntary member in 2026 is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. It not only secures your future benefits but also guarantees peace of mind during important life events like pregnancy.
