Does SSS Salary Loan Affect Maternity Benefits? (2025 Guide for Filipino Moms)
When you’re expecting a baby, every peso counts — especially for SSS members planning their maternity leave. But what if you already have an SSS Salary Loan? Many moms worry:
“Will my maternity benefits be reduced if I still have an unpaid salary loan?”
This guide will explain everything you need to know — from how your SSS Salary Loan interacts with your Maternity Benefits, what happens to unpaid loans, and how to make sure you still receive the right amount.
🍼 Understanding the SSS Salary Loan
The SSS Salary Loan is a financial assistance program for employed, self-employed, and voluntary SSS members who need short-term cash.
It’s based on your Average Monthly Salary Credit (AMSC) and comes with 8% annual interest on a diminishing principal balance. The loan is payable in 24 monthly installments for a 2-year term, or 12 months for a 1-year term.
💡 Example:
If your average salary credit is ₱10,000, you may borrow:
Up to ₱10,000 for a 1-year loan, or
Up to ₱20,000 for a 2-year loan.
A 1% service charge is automatically deducted upon release, along with pro-rated interest that covers the period before your first amortization.
👶 Quick Overview: SSS Maternity Benefit
The SSS Maternity Benefit is a cash allowance given to female members who cannot work due to childbirth or miscarriage.
It’s based on 100% of your average daily salary credit (ADSC) multiplied by the number of maternity leave days (60 for normal delivery, 78 for cesarean, or 105 days under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law).
Eligibility:
You must have at least 3 monthly contributions within the 12 months before your semester of childbirth.
You should notify SSS or your employer of your pregnancy.
You must not be separated from employment before the semester of childbirth (unless self-employed or voluntary).
💬 Main Question: Does Having an SSS Salary Loan Affect My Maternity Benefit?
Here’s the simple answer: ✅ No, your SSS Salary Loan does NOT reduce or cancel your Maternity Benefit.
You can still receive your full maternity cash benefit — as long as your loan is in good standing (not in default).
However, there are some important conditions to understand.
⚖️ When Your Salary Loan May Affect Your Maternity Benefit
1. If You Have an Outstanding (Unpaid) SSS Salary Loan
If you still owe SSS money from a previous loan, and you’re about to claim your maternity benefit, SSS may deduct part of your loan balance from your benefits only if:
You have already defaulted (missed several payments), and
Your loan has been transferred to SSS Accounts Receivable.
This happens when your employer fails to remit your amortizations, or if you resigned and no longer pay the loan voluntarily.
🧾 Example: You have an unpaid SSS Salary Loan balance of ₱3,500. If your total Maternity Benefit is ₱20,000, SSS may deduct ₱3,500 to cover the unpaid balance, and you’ll receive ₱16,500 net.
2. If You Defaulted on Payments
If your loan has overdue payments, SSS applies 1% monthly penalty on the unpaid amount. While this doesn’t directly lower your maternity benefit, SSS has the right to offset or deduct unpaid amounts from any future benefit — including maternity, sickness, or even retirement claims.
That’s why it’s always wise to settle or update your salary loan before filing for maternity benefits.
3. If Your Employer Didn’t Remit Your Loan Payments
Some members assume their employer is regularly paying SSS, but later discover that remittances were delayed or missing. If that happens, your loan may appear delinquent, and SSS could temporarily hold or deduct from your maternity payout until the issue is resolved.
👉 Tip: Regularly check your SSS account via My.SSS or the SSS mobile app to ensure your payments are updated.
💰 How to Check If You Have an Outstanding Loan Balance
You can easily verify your loan balance through:
My.SSS online account → Click Inquiry > Loans Info
SSS Mobile App → Tap Loans
Nearest SSS Branch → Request a Loan Statement of Account
If your loan is fully paid or current, your maternity benefit will not be affected.
🧮 How Much Will You Receive After Deductions?
To get an idea of your loan deductions and take-home maternity benefit, you can use this free tool: 🔗 SSS Salary Loan Calculator
This calculator helps you:
Estimate your monthly amortization
Compute your pro-rated interest before loan release
See your remaining balance and how it may affect your total benefit
📊 Example: ₱20,000 Salary Loan Before Maternity
Let’s assume:
Your ₱20,000 Salary Loan was approved on March 12, 2025.
SSS charges 8% annual interest and 1% service fee.
Step 1 – Compute Service Charge:
₱20,000 × 1% = ₱200
Step 2 – Compute Pro-Rated Interest (50 days)
₱20,000 × 8% × (50 ÷ 365) = ₱219.18
Step 3 – Total Deduction Before Release
₱200 + ₱219.18 = ₱419.18
Step 4 – Net Amount Received
₱20,000 – ₱419.18 = ₱19,580.82
This deduction happens before the loan is credited to your bank account. If you pay your amortizations on time, your SSS Maternity Benefit remains unaffected.
₱20,000 Salary Loan Monthly Amortization
Month
Beginning Balance
Payment
Interest (0.667%)
Principal
Remaining Balance
1
₱20,000.00
₱900.00
₱133.40
₱766.60
₱19,233.40
2
₱19,233.40
₱900.00
₱128.85
₱771.15
₱18,462.25
3
₱18,462.25
₱900.00
₱123.10
₱776.90
₱17,685.35
4
₱17,685.35
₱900.00
₱117.80
₱782.20
₱16,903.15
5
₱16,903.15
₱900.00
₱112.76
₱787.24
₱16,115.91
6
₱16,115.91
₱900.00
₱107.57
₱792.43
₱15,323.48
7
₱15,323.48
₱900.00
₱102.31
₱797.69
₱14,525.79
8
₱14,525.79
₱900.00
₱97.00
₱803.00
₱13,722.79
9
₱13,722.79
₱900.00
₱91.53
₱808.47
₱12,914.32
10
₱12,914.32
₱900.00
₱86.12
₱813.88
₱12,100.44
11
₱12,100.44
₱900.00
₱80.27
₱819.73
₱11,280.71
12
₱11,280.71
₱900.00
₱75.18
₱824.82
₱10,455.89
13
₱10,455.89
₱900.00
₱69.94
₱830.06
₱9,625.83
14
₱9,625.83
₱900.00
₱64.17
₱835.83
₱8,789.99
15
₱8,789.99
₱900.00
₱58.66
₱841.34
₱7,948.65
16
₱7,948.65
₱900.00
₱52.99
₱847.01
₱7,101.64
17
₱7,101.64
₱900.00
₱47.37
₱852.63
₱6,249.01
18
₱6,249.01
₱900.00
₱41.67
₱858.33
₱5,390.68
19
₱5,390.68
₱900.00
₱35.95
₱864.05
₱4,526.63
20
₱4,526.63
₱900.00
₱30.19
₱869.81
₱3,656.82
21
₱3,656.82
₱900.00
₱24.41
₱875.59
₱2,781.23
22
₱2,781.23
₱900.00
₱18.55
₱881.45
₱1,899.78
23
₱1,899.78
₱900.00
₱12.67
₱887.33
₱1,012.45
24
₱1,012.45
₱900.00
₱6.75
₱893.25
₱0.00
🧾 What Happens If You Go on Maternity Leave During Loan Term
Even while on maternity leave:
Your employer must continue to remit your monthly loan amortization (if still employed).
If you’re separated or on unpaid leave, you can voluntarily pay your loan at any SSS branch or through accredited payment channels.
This prevents your loan from becoming delinquent and ensures you receive your full benefit.
💡 Can You Apply for a Salary Loan While Pregnant?
Yes! As long as you meet the loan eligibility requirements, you can apply even if you’re pregnant or on maternity leave.
Requirements Recap:
Loan Type
Contribution Requirement
Term
Max Loanable Amount
1-Year Loan
36 contributions (6 in last 12 months)
12 months
1 month of AMSC
2-Year Loan
72 contributions (6 in last 12 months)
24 months
2 months of AMSC
Just remember that loan release is subject to employer certification (if employed) or SSS approval (if self-employed).
⚠️ Important Reminders
Unpaid loans = Possible deduction from any future benefits.
Always verify your loan status before applying for maternity.
Keep copies of your payment receipts or confirmation messages.
Update your employer about your maternity leave and loan payments.
🧠 Key Takeaway
Your SSS Salary Loan does not directly affect your Maternity Benefit, but unpaid or defaulted loans can lead to deductions from your future benefits. Stay updated, pay on time, and regularly check your account to avoid surprises.
⚡ TL;DR (Summary)
Question
Answer
Does my SSS Salary Loan affect my maternity benefit?
❌ No, unless you default or have unpaid balances.
Will SSS deduct my maternity benefit?
✅ Yes, only if your loan is delinquent.
Can I apply for a loan while pregnant?
✅ Yes, if you meet contribution requirements.
Who pays during maternity leave?
Employer remits amortizations, or you may pay voluntarily.
Where to check my balance?
My.SSS, SSS app, or nearest branch.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still get my full maternity benefit if I have an existing salary loan?
Yes. Your maternity benefit will be released in full as long as your loan is not in default or past due.
2. Will SSS automatically deduct my loan from my maternity claim?
Only if you have an overdue or delinquent loan balance.
3. What if my employer failed to remit my payments?
SSS may temporarily hold or deduct from your benefit until your employer updates remittances.
4. Can I apply for both salary loan and maternity benefit at the same time?
Yes, you can apply for both as long as you meet the contribution requirements and are not in default.
5. What happens if I don’t pay my loan while on maternity leave?
Missed payments will accumulate penalties (1% per month), and your loan may become delinquent — potentially affecting future benefits.
💬 Final Thoughts
For Filipino moms, SSS programs like the Salary Loan and Maternity Benefit are lifelines that provide financial security. They work independently, but both depend on your active and updated membership status.
