Employer Contribution in the Philippines


Key takeaways
  • Employers in the Philippines must contribute to SSS, PHIC, and Pag-IBIG for employee benefits.
  • Contribution rates differ for locals and expatriates, ensuring compliance with local laws.
  • SSS provides retirement, disability, maternity, sickness, death, funeral, and unemployment benefits.
  • PHIC covers in-patient, out-patient, Z benefits, and SDG-related healthcare services.
  • Pag-IBIG offers housing loans, short-term loans, and savings programs for employees under 60.

In the Philippines, also known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas, employers prioritize the well-being of their employees. They fulfill their obligations by contributing to the Social Security System (SSS), Philippines Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

Contributions to the SSS encompassing regular SS, the Mandatory Provident Fund (WISP) and Employee’s Compensation (EC) are calculated based on the employee’s relevant monthly salary credit, which in turn is determined by their monthly compensation.

On the other hand, contributions made to PHIC are calculated based on the employee’s monthly compensation of at least PHP 10,000 up to PHP 80,000, and contributions made to Pag-IBIG are calculated based on the employee’s monthly compensation of up to PHP 5,000.

In this article, we'll look at how this comprehensive approach ensures that employees can receive the necessary support and benefits while safeguarding their financial security and overall well-being.

Employer Contribution in the Philippines

Employer Payroll Contribution

  Contribution for Locals Contribution for Expatriates
Regular SS 9.5% 10% 9.5% 10%
Mandatory Provident Fund (WISP) 9.5% 10% 9.5% 10%
Employee’s Compensation (EC) PHP 10 (or PHP 30 if monthly salary credit is above PHP 14,500) PHP 10 (or PHP 30 if monthly salary credit is above PHP 14,500)
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) 2% 2%
Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) 2%
Total 23% + PHP 10 (or PHP 30) 21% + PHP 10 (or PHP 30)

Employee Payroll Contribution

  Contribution for Locals Contribution for Expatriates
Regular SS 4.5% 5% 4.5% 5%
Mandatory Provident Fund (WISP) 4.5% 5% 4.5% 5%
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) 2% 2%
Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) 1%–2%
Total 12%–13% 11%

It is worth noting that contributions for expatriates in the Philippines are lower than that of their local counterparts since the Home Development Fund (Pag-IBIG) does not apply to them.

Employer Contribution in the Philippines

Social Security System (SSS)

Since its establishment in 1957, the Social Security System (SSS) has served as a crucial pillar of social insurance coverage for private sector employees in the Philippines. Enacted just three years prior, the Social Security Law (SS Law) laid the foundation for this vital system.

The SSS offers a comprehensive range of benefits, including, but not limited to:

Types of Benefits Explanation
Retirement For employees who have reached the age of 60 and have completed a minimum of 120 monthly contributions. These benefits can be taken in the form of a monthly pension or a lump-sum amount.
Disability Employees who have contributed for 36 months or more before the semester of their disability will receive a monthly pension. Those who have contributed less will receive a lump-sum payment.
Sickness Employees hospitalized for 3 or more days are entitled to 90% of their daily salary if they have made contributions for at least 3 months in the last year. Employers can get reimbursed for the sickness benefit paid by the SSS.
Maternity Female employees are entitled to 105 days of fully paid maternity leave plus 30 days of unpaid extension. SSS will reimburse the amount paid by the employer to eligible employees who have contributed for at least 3 months in the last 12 months.
Death Beneficiaries or survivors receive a monthly pension as a death benefit if the deceased had paid for at least 36 months before their passing. If not, beneficiaries will receive a lump-sum payment instead.
Funeral Granted to the person who paid for the funeral expenses of the deceased pensioner.
Unemployment A one-off cash benefit for involuntarily unemployed employees who have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, including 12 within the 18-month period preceding separation.

Furthermore, the SSS oversees the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP), which provides additional compensation to workers who experience illness, accidents, or fatalities during work-related activities. This program ensures that employees receive double compensation, offering support and protection for workplace-related incidents.

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)

The National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) is a social health insurance program in the Philippines that is funded by contributions made to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC). The NHIP aims to provide access to affordable and quality health care services to all Filipinos, regardless of their social status or economic capacity.

The benefits under the NHIP are comprehensive and include:

In-patient Benefits Covers diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, and other hospital charges
Out-patient Benefits Covers medical consultations, diagnostic tests, and preventive health services
Z Benefits High cost medical services that are not typically covered by regular health insurance plans i.e. cancer and bypass surgery
*SDG-related benefits Malaria, HIV-AIDS, Animal bite, etc.

*Refers to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

"We've heard the clamor for higher pensions loud and clear. The SSS is the solution."
Robert Joseph M. De Claro, President and CEO of the Social Security System (SSS)
Employer Contribution in the Philippines

Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)

The Home Development Mutual Fund–better known as Pag-IBIG–is a mutual provident savings system for employees to fund their housing. It is funded by contributions made by both the employer and employee. Coverage under this fund is mandatory for employees (expatriates excluded), provided they have not reached 60 years of age and are also covered under SSS.

Some of its benefits are housing loans, short-term loans, and other services such as a regular savings program. Overall, the fund offers a range of benefits that can be advantageous for employees who aim to achieve their financial goals.

Slasify: Satisfy Your Payroll Needs in the Philippines

Employers in the Philippines are required to provide their employees with the aforementioned government-mandated benefits. Slasify offers a comprehensive payroll solution that ensures accurate and timely delivery of these benefits, while staying up-to-date with labor laws and regulations.

Slasify helps you simplify payroll management and ensures full compliance with local regulations in the Philippines. Our solutions save you time, reduce errors, and provide peace of mind for your HR and finance teams.

Get in touch today to see how we can support your business expansion in the Philippines – efficiently, securely, and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  1. What is the Social Security System (SSS) and why is it important for employees? The Social Security System (SSS) is a government-mandated social insurance program in the Philippines that provides employees with benefits for retirement, disability, sickness, maternity, death, funeral, and unemployment. It ensures financial protection and security for employees and their families.
  2. How are SSS contributions calculated for local and expatriate employees? SSS contributions are based on the employee’s relevant monthly salary credit. For locals, contributions range from 23% + PHP 10 (or PHP 30 for higher salaries) for employers and 12–13% for employees. Expatriates contribute slightly less, as the Pag-IBIG fund does not apply.
  3. What benefits are covered under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)?PHIC provides access to affordable healthcare services through the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Benefits include in-patient coverage, out-patient consultations, diagnostic tests, preventive health services, high-cost procedures (Z benefits), and certain SDG-related treatments such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and animal bites.
  4. Who is required to contribute to the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG)? The Pag-IBIG fund is mandatory for all Filipino employees under 60 who are also covered by SSS. Expatriates are excluded. Contributions provide access to housing loans, short-term loans, and savings programs.
  5. How can Slasify help employers manage payroll and compliance in the Philippines? Slasify offers a comprehensive payroll solution that ensures accurate delivery of government-mandated contributions (SSS, PHIC, Pag-IBIG), handles tax compliance, and manages employee benefits administration, making payroll processes seamless, reliable, and cost-effective.

About Slasify

Founded in 2016 in Taiwan and now headquartered in Singapore, Slasify began with a vision. We saw the rapid expansion of businesses outpacing traditional work models. Inspired by the rise of the internet and the growing demand for flexibility, our founders created Slasify to bridge the gap between global businesses and remote talent. What started as a small team with a big dream has grown into a global powerhouse. Today, Slasify serves over 150 countries and operates in 130 currencies, empowering businesses to expand without borders. Read more!

Slasify serves over 150 countries and operates in 130 currencies, empowering businesses to expand without borders.
 

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