How to Switch from Employed to Voluntary SSS Member for 2026 Maternity
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How to Switch from Employed to Voluntary SSS Member for 2026 Maternity
Leaving your job doesn’t mean losing your SSS maternity benefits. If you’re planning to give birth in 2026 and are no longer employed, you can still receive your maternity benefits by switching to a voluntary SSS member. This guide explains exactly how to do that — step-by-step — so your contributions remain active and your maternity eligibility is protected.
🌸 Why This Matters for 2026 Maternity Benefits
Many women resign before pregnancy or shift to freelance or online work. The problem is, once you stop working, your employer no longer remits your SSS contributions. If you don’t continue paying voluntarily, your record becomes inactive, which can lead to disqualification from maternity benefits.
Example: If your Expected Delivery Date (EDD) is in June 2026, and you stopped working in September 2025, your qualifying period (January–December 2025) might have missing months. You must pay as a voluntary member to fill those gaps.
That’s why switching properly — and on time — is key to keeping your benefits.
🧠Step-by-Step Guide to Switching from Employed to Voluntary SSS Member
Step 1: Wait for Your Last Contribution to Be Posted
Before changing your status, wait about 30 to 60 days after your final employer contribution. This ensures your employment record is fully updated.
Check your My.SSS account → Member Info → Actual Premiums. Once your last contribution appears, you can proceed.
Step 2: Update Your Membership Type Online
You don’t need to visit an SSS branch anymore. You can now update your membership type online through the My.SSS portal.
Your Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) affects your maternity benefit amount. The higher your MSC (up to ₱20,000), the higher your benefit.
Range of Compensation
MSC (Regular SS)
MPF
Total MSC
SS Contribution (₱)
MPF (₱)
Total (₱)
₱5,000
₱5,000
0
₱5,000
₱750
0
₱750
₱10,000
₱10,000
0
₱10,000
₱1,500
0
₱1,500
₱20,000 (Max Basis)
₱20,000
0
₱20,000
₱3,000
0
₱3,000
₱35,000 (With MPF)
₱20,000
₱15,000
₱35,000
₱3,000
₱2,250
₱5,250
🟣 Important: Even if you pay ₱5,250 (maximum), your maternity benefit is still computed based on ₱20,000 MSC because MPF contributions are excluded from maternity calculations.
🧮 Example: How Switching Affects Your 2026 Qualifying Period
Let’s say you resigned in September 2025, and your EDD is May 2026.
Semester of Contingency: Q1 2026 + Q2 2026 (Jan–Jun 2026)
Qualifying Period: Jan–Dec 2025
✅ You need at least 3 valid contributions within Jan–Dec 2025 to qualify.
If your last payment as an employee was June 2025, you can continue paying voluntarily for July–December 2025 to meet the requirement.
Clarisse’s Story – From Office Work to Freelance Life
Clarisse from Makati resigned in September 2025. Her EDD was May 2026. She panicked after realizing she only had six months of paid contributions. After switching to voluntary and paying for October–December 2025, she qualified for ₱70,000 in maternity benefits.
Rowena’s Story – OFW Mom on Leave
Rowena, working in Dubai, came home in early 2026. She switched to voluntary membership abroad via the SSS Mobile App and continued paying ₱3,000 monthly. Her EDD was November 2026 — and she received full maternity benefits as a solo parent.
Leah’s Story – Market Vendor from Iloilo
Leah learned about voluntary SSS from a friend. By paying ₱750 monthly from 2025, she was able to claim ₱35,000 maternity cash assistance after giving birth in August 2026. Consistency saved her from losing benefits.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid When Switching
❌ Paying without updating status – Payments made under “employed” status might not post properly.
❌ Missing quarterly deadlines – Late payments can’t be back-paid.
❌ Not checking your SSS online record – Always verify that payments are posted.
❌ Stopping payments after resignation – Even one missed quarter can break your qualifying period.
💬 If you’re pregnant, check your EDD early and plan your payments. It’s better to pay a few months extra than lose your eligibility.
🕓 TL;DR – Quick Summary for Busy Readers
Update your membership to Voluntary after your last employer contribution.
Pay contributions quarterly (don’t skip).
Keep your MSC between ₱5,000–₱20,000 to stay eligible for maternity benefits.
You need 3 valid contributions within your 12-month qualifying period.
1. When can I start paying as a voluntary member after resigning? Once your last employer contribution is posted (usually after 30–60 days).
2. Can I use GCash to pay voluntary SSS contributions? Yes! GCash, Maya, and the SSS Mobile App are all official payment channels.
3. What if I missed one quarter? You can’t back-pay, but you can continue with the current quarter to keep your record active.
4. Can I switch back to employed later? Yes. Your status will automatically change to “Employed” once your new employer starts remitting again.
5. Will switching affect my existing SSS number or contributions? No. Your SSS number remains the same, and all previous contributions stay credited to your account.
🌷 Final Thoughts
Switching from employed to voluntary SSS membership in 2026 is simple — but timing is everything. Don’t wait until you’re close to your due date to make the switch. By keeping your contributions continuous, you ensure full access to SSS maternity benefits, loans, and retirement savings.
And before making your next payment, try the 👉 SSS Maternity Benefits Calculator to confirm your qualifying period and contribution months.
Staying proactive today means financial peace of mind tomorrow — for you and your baby. 💕👶
