What to Do After Resignation: Continue SSS as Voluntary 2026
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What to Do After Resignation: Continue SSS as Voluntary 2026
If you recently resigned from work in 2026, one of the smartest financial decisions you can make is to continue your SSS contributions as a voluntary member. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, switching to freelance work, or simply taking a career break, maintaining your SSS active membership ensures that you remain eligible for important benefits — especially SSS Maternity Benefits.
This article will guide you step-by-step on what to do after resignation, how to switch to voluntary status, and how to stay qualified for maternity benefits in 2026.
🌸 Why Continuing SSS After Resignation Matters
When you resign, your employer stops remitting your SSS contributions. This means that if you don’t continue paying, your record becomes inactive — and you might lose eligibility for maternity, sickness, and even retirement benefits.
💬 “Kung buntis ka o nagpaplano pa lang, mahalagang hindi maputol ang hulog mo sa SSS. Kahit tatlong buwan lang na kulang, puwedeng hindi ka makakuha ng maternity benefit.”
Continuing your contributions ensures:
Your maternity and sickness benefits stay valid
Your years of service and contributions accumulate for retirement
You can still apply for future SSS loans and programs
🧠Step-by-Step: How to Continue SSS After Resignation (2026 Guide)
Step 1: Wait for Your Last Employer Contribution
Before paying as a voluntary member, wait 30–60 days for your employer’s final contribution to reflect in your My.SSS account.
You can check by logging in to: 👉 My.SSS → Member Info → Actual Premiums
Once it appears, you can safely proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Update Your Membership Type to Voluntary
You can now update your SSS status without visiting a branch.
Online Method (Recommended):
Log in to My.SSS
Go to Member Info → Update Membership Type
Select Voluntary
Submit and save your update
You’ll receive confirmation, and your membership type will be officially changed.
Step 3: Start Paying as a Voluntary Member
Once your status is updated, you can pay your contributions via:
SSS Mobile App
GCash or Maya
Bayad Center or partner payment outlets
SSS Tellering Branches
Payment Schedule for 2026:
Quarter
Months Covered
Deadline
Q1
Jan–Mar
Apr 30
Q2
Apr–Jun
Jul 31
Q3
Jul–Sep
Oct 31
Q4
Oct–Dec
Jan 31 (next year)
✅ You can pay monthly or quarterly — just don’t miss a quarter, especially if you plan to apply for maternity benefits.
đź’° Choosing Your Monthly Salary Credit (MSC)
As a voluntary member, you can choose your own Monthly Salary Credit (MSC). This determines how much you contribute — and how much benefit you’ll receive later.
Below is the Minimum MSC Table for Voluntary Members (2026):
Range of Compensation
Regular SS MSC
MPF MSC
Total MSC
SS Contribution (₱)
MPF (₱)
Total (₱)
below 5250
5000
0
5000
750
0
750
9750 – 10249.99
10000
0
10000
1500
0
1500
19750 – 20249.99
20000
0
20000
3000
0
3000
34750 – Over
20000
15000
35000
3000
2250
5250
🟢 Note: Even if you pay ₱5,250 (the maximum), only ₱20,000 of your MSC counts toward your maternity benefit computation — the remaining ₱15,000 goes into your Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) savings.
👶 How Continuing SSS Affects Your Maternity Benefit
Let’s say your Expected Delivery Date (EDD) is June 2026.
According to SSS rules:
Your semester of contingency (excluded period) = Q2 2026 + Q1 2026
Your qualifying period = January 2025 – December 2025
âś… You need at least 3 valid monthly contributions within that period to qualify.
If you stopped working in September 2025, you can pay as a voluntary member for October–December 2025 to stay eligible.
Clarisse’s Story – From Employee to Freelancer (Makati)
Clarisse resigned in late 2025 and started freelancing. Her EDD was in May 2026. By paying voluntarily from October to December 2025, she completed her three-month minimum and received ₱70,000 maternity cash.
Rowena’s Story – OFW Mom (Dubai/Taguig)
Rowena was already abroad when she found out she was pregnant. She continued paying her SSS contributions online via the mobile app. Her voluntary payments made her eligible for full maternity benefits despite being outside the country.
Leah’s Story – First-Time Mom and Market Vendor (Iloilo)
Leah used to work in retail but resigned to sell vegetables. By paying ₱750 monthly as a voluntary member, she received ₱35,000 in maternity benefits when she gave birth in 2026 — proof that consistency pays off.
🧮 Understanding Your Maternity Benefit Computation
Maternity benefits are based on your average daily salary credit (ADSC) multiplied by the number of days of leave.
Type of Delivery or Case
Days Covered
Approx. Max Benefit (₱)
Normal or Cesarean Delivery
105 days
₱70,000
Solo Parent (Normal or CS)
120 days
₱80,000
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, ETP
60 days
₱40,000
Even if you’re not employed, as long as your qualifying contributions are valid, you will receive the same benefit amount as an employee.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid After Resignation
❌ Paying before updating to Voluntary status — payments won’t reflect properly.
❌ Missing deadlines for quarterly payments.
❌ Thinking you can back-pay old months — SSS only allows current and future payments.
❌ Forgetting to check your record online.
đź’ˇ Always log in to My.SSS to confirm your payments are posted. Missing contributions can cause claim rejection later.
🕓 TL;DR – Quick Summary
After resignation, update your status to Voluntary Member.
Continue paying your SSS contributions to remain eligible for maternity benefits.
Minimum contribution = ₱750 (₱5,000 MSC).
Maximum basis for maternity = ₱20,000 MSC (₱3,000 monthly).
You must have at least 3 valid contributions within your qualifying period.
1. Can I still receive maternity benefits even if I’m no longer employed? Yes! As long as you have 3 valid contributions within your qualifying period.
2. How soon can I pay as a voluntary member after resigning? Once your last employer contribution is posted, you can start right away.
3. Can I pay for missed months? No. You can only pay for the current or next quarter.
4. Will my SSS number change when I become voluntary? No, your SSS number stays the same forever.
5. Can I downgrade or increase my MSC anytime? Yes, but increases are only allowed at the start of a new year or payment quarter.
🌷 Final Thoughts
Resigning doesn’t mean losing your SSS privileges — it’s just the start of managing your own contributions. By continuing as a voluntary member, you protect your eligibility for SSS Maternity Benefits, sickness pay, and even retirement.
So if you’re planning to give birth in 2026, act early. Update your membership, stay consistent with payments, and check your qualifying period using the 👉 SSS Maternity Benefits Calculator.
Every peso you contribute today secures your financial comfort tomorrow — especially when a new life is about to begin. 💕👶
