DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) is urging all pensioners to report to the SSS for the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) to enable them to continue receiving their monthly pensions.

The public service announcement came as the SSS started facilitating the confirmation process at the start of the new year.

Gina Rodriguez, a 55-year-old native of Mercedes town in Camarines Norte, did not receive her pension for two months because she failed to appear in person at the SSS.

Gina, a survivor pensioner since 2007, was unable to report to the SSS due to her hectic work schedule in Manila.

“Reporting to SSS annually can prevent pension delays, which I learned the hard way,” she said.

The ACOP program has revised its guidelines, stating that retirement pensioners who are residing in the Philippines and are 80 years old and above should comply with the program starting March 2024. 

Frieda Evidor, a junior management assistant of the SSS branch in Daet, said that if a pensioner is unable to visit the SSS, they can request the agency to instead visit them. 

The implementation of the ACOP program also applies to other pensioners such as retirement pensioners residing abroad, total disability pensioners and dependent children under guardianship.

Evidor clarified that retirement pensioners below the age of 80 may be required to comply with the ACOP program under certain circumstances as determined and upon notification by the SSS. 

The SSS will take action regarding a pensioner's account as a result of the ACOP program implementation under the new guidelines. 

This includes continuing, suspending, or canceling the benefit or resuming the suspended or canceled pension benefit. 

Existing pensioners who are required to comply with the ACOP program shall report to the SSS on the month of their birth for retirement and total disability, while on the month of birth of the deceased member for the death or survivor pensioner and dependent children under guardianship. 

The pensioner can comply with the ACOP program through personal or visual confirmation, such as over the counter at an SSS branch office and video conferencing in SSS-prescribed platforms. 

It can also be done without visual confirmation through mail, e-mail, and filed through the guardian or duly authorized representative. (PIA 5/Camarines Norte)