SSS, DICT to expand social security coverage for 1.5 million freelancers

FREELANCE. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Alfonso Limlingan (3rd from left) and DICT Secretary Robert Joseph de Claro (2nd from left) sign on October 21, 2026 an MOU to strengthen social security protection for Filipino freelancers and virtual assistants.

SSS Media Affairs

SSS chief Victor Limlingan notes the vital role of freelancers and virtual assistants in the country’s digital economy

AT A GLANCE

• The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 21, 2026, to enhance social security protection for 1.5 million freelancers and virtual assistants in the Philippines.
• The MOU aims to increase awareness and compliance with the Social Security Act of 2018 among freelancers, ensuring they have access to benefits like sickness, maternity, disability, and retirement.
• Through this partnership, freelancers will be encouraged to register as self-employed SSS members, allowing them to access various benefits and loan programs, while also exploring initiatives for freelancer education and job creation.

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The following is a press release from the Social Security System.

The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 21 to expand social security protection for the country’s estimated 1.5 million freelancers and virtual assistants.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan and DICT Secretary Robert Joseph M. de Claro led the signing ceremony at the DICT office in Quezon City.

Limlingan said the MOU establishes a strategic partnership to strengthen the online freelancing industry through capability-building, competency development and expanded social security coverage for Filipino freelancers.

“A key objective of the MOU is to increase awareness, registration, membership and compliance with Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018, among freelancers and online workers, ensuring broader access to social security protection,” he said.

Limlingan emphasized the importance of extending social security protection to freelancers and virtual assistants, noting that they play an increasingly vital role in the country’s digital economy.

“Freelancers and virtual assistants are an important and growing segment of our workforce. By bringing them into the SSS coverage, we ensure that they, too, can access the same protection and benefits enjoyed by other workers—whether in times of sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, or even death,” Limlingan said.

He added that the partnership reflects the SSS’ commitment to leave no worker behind.

“Our goal is simple: no Filipino worker should be left without social security protection. Through this MOU with DICT, we are taking a significant step toward making social security more accessible, more relevant, and more responsive to the needs of our digital workforce,” Limlingan said.

Through the partnership, freelancers and virtual assistants will be encouraged to register as self-employed SSS members, making them eligible for benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral and death benefits.

As self-employed members, they may also apply for SSS loan programs, including salary loans, the Emergency Loan Program and the SSS Micro Loan Program. Members may likewise obtain additional coverage under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness, disability or death.

The SSS contribution rate currently stands at 15%. For self-employed members, the Monthly Salary Credit used to determine contributions ranges from ₱5,000 to ₱35,000.

Limlingan said the lowest monthly contribution is ₱760, consisting of ₱750 for the regular SSS contribution and ₱10 for the Employees’ Compensation contribution.

“The highest monthly contribution is ₱5,280, composed of ₱3,000 for the regular SSS contribution, ₱30 for the EC contribution and ₱2,250 for the Mandatory Provident Fund,” he said.

Under the MOU, the SSS and DICT will also explore joint initiatives on freelancer education, partnerships, job creation and matching, advocacy activities and the monitoring of program outcomes to support the growth and sustainability of the freelancing ecosystem. – Rappler.com