How to Invest in SSS Flexi Fund

Do you have extra money that you want to save or invest? Aside from saving your hard earned money in the bank which is safe but earns very little interest OR investing in the stock market which is more risky but offers higher potential return, you can also invest in SSS Flexi-fund.

What is SSS Flexi-Fund

SSS Flexi-Fund is an innovation of government securities specifically designed for Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs introduced in 2001. It is a voluntary and provident fund that serves as an additional service provided by the SSS on top of their regular OFW membership.

It is an extension and supplement for SSS benefits by offering more perks apart from what you can get from a regular membership and serves an additional layer of social security protection.

It is a risk-free and tax-free investment with interest earnings computed based on the average 91-day treasury bill rate, which means this ensures a transparent high yield of the member’s income abroad.

What makes it risk-free?

You are not entitled to pay or invest in it. It is not a monthly payment just like SSS contributions and you can also pay it separately from your SSS contributions, hence its name “flexi” derived from flexible. In fact, you are in charge of how much you invest in it. Yes, it is an investment and just like other investments it grows with interest.

But what makes it better? It is exempted from any tax charge unlike in banks and other investments.

The SSS Flexi-Fund is highly recommended for OFWs as it tailors specifically to them and offers the opportunity to set aside part of their earnings abroad and maximize the return on their contributions, providing financial security in the future and can be very useful for future retirement.

Why invest in SSS Flexi-Fund?

SSS Flexi-fund offers a lot of Benefits and Advantages including:

• Tax-free. No tax charges for investing and interests.
• Interests for SSS Flexi-Fund is based on prevailing 91-day Treasury bill rates, quoted on a per annum basis.
• It can be converted into a pension plan at the end of your working years, or at retirement, and also a savings account rolled into one.
• Allows you to withdraw anytime, especially during urgent cash needs, no need to wait for retirement and grants security in case of emergencies.
• The interest is subject to quarterly re-pricing, in order to make it more reflective of current market conditions.
• Computed at the date of payment of Flexi-fund contributions, and posted to individual accounts at the end of the month. This presents transparency and allows you to keep track of your Flexi-fund.
• Interest is compounded monthly, such that earnings at the end of each month are taken into account in the computation and application of earnings in the succeeding months. Upon withdrawal you receive your total investment alongside its interests.
• Members who reach the retirement age of 60, or become disabled or get injured at work, are entitled to Flexi-fund benefits, either in the form of a monthly pension, lump-sum payment, or combination of both.
• Guaranteed to provide high returns and OFWs no longer need to worry about high interest rates or annual management fees because of its flexibility.

How to invest in SSS Flexi-Fund?

As previously stated, you can pay for your SSS Flexi-Fund anytime provided that you pay or have already paid the maximum monthly amount of your regular SSS membership contribution, which is Php 1,760.

Any amount in excess of the maximum contribution, not lower than or exceeds Php 200, will automatically be credited to your Flexi-Fund account.

So, if you were to pay Php 2,000, the remaining Php 240 will go directly to your Flexi-Fund account. Likewise, if you were to pay around Php 3000, you Flexi-Fund account will be credited the remaining Php 1,240.

How long can I continue to invest in my Flexi-Fund account?

You can still continue depositing in your Flexi-Fund account even when your employment abroad is over. The possibility of continuing to pay for your Flexi-Fund account will only cease upon filing of a final claim, such as retirement, death, or total disability benefit, under the regular SSS program.

How can I remit my contributions in my Flexi-Fund account?

There is no need to wait for retirement to remit your contributions. Like stated before, you are given the option to collect any contribution from your Flexi-Fund account at any given time.

Remittance of your Flexi-Fund payments can be done by simply filling up SS Form RS-5, which is available at any SSS office abroad, and remit your payment at any of the following accredited collecting banks or companies:

• Allied Bank
• Asiatrust Bank
• Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
• Equitable PCI Bank
• International Exchange Bank
• Land Bank of the Philippines
• Metrobank
• Philippine National Bank (PNB)
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)
• Security Bank
• Luzon Brokerage Corporation (LBC)

How to apply for a Flexi-Fund account?

As this is specifically for OFWs, the following are requirements you’ll need to be eligible of a Flexi-Fund account:

• Recruited in the Philippines by a foreign-based employer for employment abroad
• Having a source of income in a foreign country
• Residing permanently in a foreign country
• An active OFW SSS member
• Must be paying the maximum contribution of Php 1,760

To open an account, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Fill out SS Form OW-1 (Download here)
2. Submit 2 copies of the following primary documents (original and photocopy):

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Passport

In the absence of the above documents, submit any 2 copies of the following documents:

• Record of Employment/employer ID
• GSIS Member’s Record Certificate from National Archives
• Alien Certificate of Registration
• School/Voter’s Identification Card
• Driver’s License
• Joint Affidavit

Other Required Documents:

For reported spouse – Marriage Contract
For reported child:
If legitimate: Birth or Baptismal Certificate
If illegitimate: Birth or Baptismal Certificate, in the absence of both, School Record; or Insurance Policy; or Statement before a Court If legally adopted: Decree of Adoption
If incapacitated: Medical Certificate

3. Either send the filled out form alongside other required documents through mail to this following address:
International Affairs and Branch Expansion Office, 3/F SSS Bldg., East Avenue, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines

Or send via fax through this following contact:
Telefax: (632) 435-9814

Or send via Email through this following email address: ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph

4. In case of local enrollment, submit your duly accomplished SS Form OW-1 alongside other supporting documents and requirements at any local SSS branch prior to your deployment.

5. You will need to present a valid overseas employment certificate (OEC) or E-receipt issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) as proof of pending deployment.