My parents are both SSS pensioners living in the Philippines, and every year, they always comply with ACOP to ensure that they will continue to receive their monthly pensions from the Social Security System of the Philippines.
They temporarily stopped complying with ACOP during the pandemic. But since SSS resumed the ACOP program, I helped them take their current photos with a background of the TV news headline with date, and accomplished their ACOP forms early this year 2023.
I learned, however, that regular retiree pensioners residing in the Philippines, with registered addresses in the Philippines, are not required to comply with ACOP.
Read on to learn more about SSS ACOP Compliance.
What is ACOP?
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program is a yearly reporting requirement for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners in the Philippines. The program serves as an audit of pensioners receiving monthly pensions to ensure that they are still eligible to receive benefits.
The ACOP Program is for the following pensioners:
- retirement pensioners residing abroad
- total disability pensioners in the Philippines and abroad
- survivor-pensioners in the Philippines and abroad
- dependents and their guardians in the Philippines and abroad
Compliance with ACOP is crucial to continue receiving monthly pension benefits.
Starting October 2021, SSS resumed the ACOP program through various alternative ways, including video conferences using MS Teams.
Pensioners can request an appointment through email and wait for SSS’s confirmation email, which includes the Transaction Reference Number (TRN), requirements for ACOP-VC, and the MS Teams Meeting Link.
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program is an important requirement for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners in the Philippines.
The program is designed to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive their monthly pensions, and to protect the Social Security Fund from fraudulent claims.
Implemented in 2004, ACOP is a yearly reporting requirement for SSS pensioners. The program requires pensioners to confirm their eligibility to receive monthly pensions by submitting the ACOP Form (Pensioner’s Reply) to the SSS.
ACOP Suspensions and Extensions
The usual schedule for ACOP compliance is from April 1 to May 31 of every year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the schedule was adjusted for the years 2021 and 2022.
The ACOP program was suspended from March 2020 until October 2021 due to the pandemic. The resumption of ACOP was readjusted several times due to non-compliance with SSS pensioners.
- 1st ACOP Extention: October 2021 – March 2022
- 2nd ACOP Extention: March 2022 – June 2022
- 3rd ACOP Extention: June 2022 – October 2022
- 4th ACOP Extention: October 2022 – March 2023
Pensioners are required to comply with the program to continue receiving their monthly pensions. Failure to comply with the ACOP program may result in the suspension or termination of pension benefits starting May 2023.
Watch this video below to know more about SSS ACOP Program with Ms. Joyce Obispo, SSS Pensions Administrations Department Spokesperson.
In this video, Ms. Joyce Obispo confirmed that regular retiree pensioners residing in the Philippines, with registered addresses in the Philippines, are not required to comply with ACOP. (See Timestamp 20:13)
Eligibility and Requirements
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program is an important requirement for all Social Security System (SSS) pensioners in the Philippines.
It is conducted yearly to ensure that pensioners continue to receive their monthly pensions. Here are the eligibility and requirements for the ACOP:
Eligibility
All retirement pensioners residing abroad, total disability and survivor pensioners, as well as their dependent children (minor or incapacitated) and guardians, are required to comply with the ACOP.
ACOP Requirements
For pensioners to comply with the ACOP, you need to provide the following:
- 1 Primary Valid ID or 2 Secondary IDs with photo and signature
The pensioner must present any of the following:
One (1) primary ID card/document, such as
-
- Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) or Social Security card
- Alien Certificate of Registration
- Driver’s License
- Firearm Registration
- License to Own and Possess Firearms
- National Bureau of Investigation Clearance
- Passport
- Permit to Carry Firearms Outside
- of Residence
- Postal Identity Card
- Seafarer’s Identification & Record Book (Seaman’s Book)
- Voter’s ID Card
TWO (2) valid IDs issued by the host county governmental unit/agency where photo and signature are shown or in the absence of these, a Certificate of Appearance issued by the
Philippine Embassy/Consulate
Notes:
-
- The name on the presented ID cards/documents must match the name on the SS records.
- Expired ID cards/documents shall be accepted as identification provided it has a signature and photo.
- ACOP form (Form ACOP-Pensioners Reply) duly accomplished and signed
- For Survivor Pensioner:
- A clear half-body photo of the pensioner holding a newspaper with the current date, or a background of a TV News scroller or tickler with a News headline and date.
Different Ways to Comply with ACOP
- Through Email
- Send your requirements to the nearest SSS branch through email. To find the email address of the branch, just go to the SSS Branch Directory. Choose the Region and Branch and the details will appear on the screen.
- Follow this Email Format
- Subject: ACOP Compliance (Name)
- Send your requirements to the nearest SSS branch through email. To find the email address of the branch, just go to the SSS Branch Directory. Choose the Region and Branch and the details will appear on the screen.
- Through Mail/Courier
- Send your requirements to the nearest SSS branch through mail/courier. To find the address of the branch, just search for it in the SSS Branch Directory.
- Through Personal compliance at the SSS branch
- Just go to the nearest branch and submit your requirements personally.
- Through SSS drop boxes located in SSS branches and partner banks
- If the pensioner will not be entertained at the branch due to branch number coding, you may drop off your ACOP compliance requirements at the designated drop boxes.
- Make sure your contact number is updated for SSS verification purposes.
- Through Video Conferencing (video call) using MS Teams – for pensioners abroad
- Send your request for the ACOP compliance video conference schedule via email to ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph
Schedule of ACOP Compliance
Effective April 1, 2023, the schedule of ACOP compliance will resume its usual schedule which is every birth month.
- For Retirement Pensioner residing abroad and Total Disability Pensioner residing abroad or in the Philippines, the schedule of your ACOP compliance is your birth month.
- For Survivor Pensioner, the schedule of your ACOP compliance is the birth month of the deceased member.
- For Dependents (minor/incapacitated) along with their guardians, the schedule of your ACOP compliance is the birth month of the member or deceased member.
Can I comply in advance?
Yes, you can comply with ACOP in advance within 6 months before your birth month.
If your birth month is April to December 2023, you must comply with ACOP on your birth month.
So, if your birth month is April 5, and you already complied last December 2022, which is still within 6 months before your month, you don’t need to comply this year anymore. SSS will already consider it, and you may comply with ACOP again next year.
ACOP Compliance Deadline
The ACOP compliance deadline is on March 31, 2023. Failure to comply by this date may result in the suspension of pension payments. It means that you will not receive your monthly pension starting May 2023.
After this date, the regular schedule of compliance for the ACOP will resume, wherein retirement pensioners residing abroad and total disability pensioners must comply on their birth month, survivor pensioners must comply within the birth month of the deceased member, while dependents and guardians must comply on the birth month of the SSS member.
ACOP Compliance via MS Teams Video Conference
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program or ACOP is a yearly reporting requirement for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners in the Philippines. The ACOP program is essential for pensioners to continue receiving their monthly pensions.
The registration process for ACOP is simple and can be completed in a few easy steps.
The registration process for ACOP can be done through various alternative ways, including video conference using MS Teams (except for Total Disability Pensioner), email, or personal appearance at the nearest SSS branch. Here are the steps to register for ACOP:
- Step 1: Request an appointment through email at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph. Wait for SSS’s email confirmation on the ACOP-VC appointment together with the Transaction Reference Number (TRN), requirements for ACOP-VC, and MS Teams Meeting Link.
- Step 2: Prepare the necessary documents for ACOP-VC, including a valid ID and duly accomplished ACOP form.
- Step 3: Join the ACOP-VC on the scheduled date and time using the provided MS Teams Meeting Link. During the meeting, the SSS representative will verify your identity and ask you to confirm your pension status.
- Step 4: After the ACOP-VC, the SSS will send you an email confirmation of your compliance with the ACOP program.
You can download the SSS ACOP Brochure here for pensioners’ ACOP compliance abroad.
SSS Hotline
| SSS Call Center: (632) 8920-6446 to 55 | Hongkong: 001-800-0225-5777 |
| IVRS: (632) 7917-7777 | Singapore: 001-800-0225-5777 |
| Toll-Free No.: 1-800-10-2255777 | Malaysia: 00-800-0225-5777 |
| SSS Email: member_relations@sss.gov.ph | Taiwan: 00-800-0225-5777 |
| SSS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SSSPh | Brunei: 801-4275 |
It is important to note that failure to comply with ACOP may result in the suspension of your pension. Therefore, it is crucial to complete the registration process and attend the ACOP-VC on the scheduled date and time.
For SSS pension-related concerns, you may email the Pensions Administrations Department at pad4@sss.gov.ph.
Benefits of the ACOP Program
The Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program is an important requirement for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners in the Philippines.
Here are some of the benefits of complying with the ACOP:
- Ensures continuous payment of benefits: By complying with the ACOP, pensioners can ensure that they will continue to receive their monthly pensions without any interruption.
- Prevents fraudulent claims: The ACOP helps the SSS identify and prevent fraudulent claims. This helps ensure that only rightful pensioners receive their benefits.
- Keeps pensioner information up-to-date: The ACOP requires pensioners to update their information, such as their contact details and beneficiaries. This helps the SSS keep their records accurate and up-to-date.
- Provides an opportunity to ask questions: – During the ACOP, pensioners can ask questions and clarify any concerns they may have about their benefits. This helps ensure that they fully understand their benefits and how to avail of them.
Overall, the ACOP Program is a crucial requirement for SSS pensioners in the Philippines. By complying with the ACOP, pensioners can ensure that they continue to receive their benefits, prevent fraudulent claims, keep their information up-to-date, and have an opportunity to ask questions and clarify concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) Program:
What is the ACOP Program?
The ACOP Program is a yearly reporting requirement for Social Security System (SSS) pensioners. It is like an audit of those who are receiving their monthly pensions. For a pensioner to continuously enjoy the eligibility of his or her pension, he or she is required to comply with this program.
When is the ACOP schedule?
The ACOP schedule will be the birth month of the said SSS member.
What are the alternative ways to comply with ACOP?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SSS has provided alternative ways for pensioners to comply with ACOP:
- Video conference using MS Teams (except for Total Disability Pensioner)
- Appointment through email at member_relations@sss.gov.ph and ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph
- Submission of ACOP form to the nearest SSS branch
What are the requirements for ACOP-VC?
Pensioners who opt to comply with ACOP through video conference using MS Teams are required to prepare the following:
- Valid government-issued ID such as SSS ID or UMID card
- Mobile phone or computer with camera and microphone
What will happen if a pensioner fails to comply with ACOP?
A pensioner who fails to comply with ACOP may have his or her pension suspended until compliance is made. It is important for pensioners to comply with ACOP to continue receiving their monthly pension.
Image Source: SSS FB Page
kelan po ako magcomply ng aking pension. Ang birthday ko po ay november 13, 1959
Every birth month nyo po. Pwede din po advance within 6 months.
Good morning.
I am a retired pensioner, do I need to comply the AOP?
Thank you.
Luningning Legaspi
Hi Ma’am Luningning, Regular Pensioners residing in the Philippines with registered addresses in the Philippines, are NOT required to comply with the ACOP program to continue receiving their monthly pensions. This is based on what Ms. Joyce Obispo said in the YT video below timestamp 20:13
Hello po,
pensioner po ang mother ko from my father deceased. And huling nareceive na pension nya is march 2023 po and yung for the month of April, May, June 2023 is wala po.. Kailanga pa po ba nyang mag update/comply for ACOP?
August po ang birthday ng father ko (deceased) and March po and birthday ng mother ko and senior na po sya. If need magcomply for ACOP? pede po ba isend online ang requirements?
Thanks!
kapag po ang survivor pensioner ay hindi na kaya mag comply in person, pwede po bang yung anak or apo ang magsubmit ng requirements niya? kailangan ba ng authorization letter?
Hello,
Good Day! My mom has a survivor pension and I would like to confirm since we failed to adhere to the last deadline to submit the requirements for March 2023, can we still submit the required documents through email? Or do I need to bring my Mom to the nearest SSS office in my area? Her pension has been suspended for this month (May 2023).
Once we comply with the requirements, how soon will she have her pension back?
Hoping for your prompt reply.
Thank you,
Joh
Survivor Pensioner po ang mother ko kaso po may severe dementia po sya kaya mahirapan na po kaming magpunta sa branch for this year. takot po sya sa madaming tao at nahirapan na rin po kami ibyahe, panu po kaya kmi mkpgACOP
Naka pag comply na Po Ng ACOP Lola ko sa SSS branch Po samin, nung may8 kaso Hanggang ngaun Po Wala pa siyang pension mula march ask lang Po sana nya kung kelan Po kaya mag reresume pension nya? Thanks po.
Nanay ko late nag update for acop pero nag submit na po siya last May. Gaano po katagal ang processing o para maka receive ulit ng pension?
My Mother here in Los Angeles submitted her ACOP 2022 last May 2022 (her birth month). She sent another ACOP for this year 2023 last May 2023, but until now we did not get any response from SSS. Does she still need to submit ACOP every year for continuous pension?. Do you have a contact # or email address so we can call for inquiries? Thank you.
what are the options po for form submission ng acop if the survivor resides abroad. Ano pong email pwede i send ang form.
thank you
Ang akin pong sa CTBC BANK ay nag-expired noong March 2023. Maraming beses na akong tumatawag sa numero na ibinigay ng bangko ngunit wala akong nakakausap dahil answering machine lang ang sumasagot. Nagpadala na rin ako ng email sa kanila sa email address na nasa website nila ngunit wala rin akong natatanggap na sagot o padala na bagong card. Hindi po ako nakakapag-withdraw e kailangan kong pandagdag sa gastos ko para pambili ng gamot. Ano po ba ang maipapayo ninyo sa akin dahil kailangang kailangan ko talagang makapag-withdraw ng pension ko.
Aantayin ko ang inyong kasagutan please.
Correction po ang tinutukoy ko po ay ang aking Card sa CTBC BANK ay nag-expired na at hindi ako maka-withdraw.
My retirement pension was stopped. I have no idea what are the rules & regulation in SSS Phils. concerning receiving pension. for now, I am residing abroad and happens to know about ACOP. I sent an email last July 7,2023 at this website ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph but up until now there is no response.. What am i suppose to do .
My mother’s retirement pension was stopped. I am residing abroad and happens to know about ACOP. I sent an email multiply times at website ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph but up until now there is no response.. What am i suppose to do .
Good morning po. Na cut off po yung pension ng brother ko starting April then naka comply for ACOP in July 11 po. Sabi po nung nag process kay ma aactivate po at ma co continue po by 3rd week of August kaso when I checked, wala pa po. Mag delays po ba or kelangan i follow sa SSS?
I FAILED TO COMPLY
Why my email is blocked when sending email to member_relations@sss.gov.ph and ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph . I am in Australia and it is not included in the overseas phone, unlike singapore, etc. I prepared all the necessary documentations but when i am sending via email, it is always blocked
I completed my last ACOP on March 2022 while still in the USA. On August 2022, I became a dual citizen. I have a Phil. address and a USA address in my data form. However, I did not receive my pension for this November 2023. I now reside in the Philippines. What do I need to submit to be in compliance. Thank you.
Tanong ko lng po sana kung late po ba mag submit ng ACOP it means po ba na di rin makaka tanggap ng 13th month pay po…survivor pensioner po papa ko, birthday na mama ko is july (Deceased) tapos october at November na pension wala na syang natanggap, tapos kahapon lng November 24,2023 saka lng sya naka pag submit ng ACOP nya..
Sana masagot tanong ko po
Salamat!
I am a pensioner living in the USA and as far as i remember my ACOP forms were sent on December 1, 2020, also on February 2, 2022 and the last one on July 1, 2023 which was not accepted because it is not my birth month. It has been a while that they stopped depositing on my CTBC Bank account and because my birth month is approaching, i am now trying to prepare my ACOP form.