SSS and DICT sign agreement to bring freelancers under social security coverage

The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed a memorandum of understanding to extend social security protection to freelancers and virtual assistants, a group the agencies estimate at about 1.5 million workers nationwide, according to Mindanao Times.

SSS president and chief executive officer Victor Alfonso A. Limlingan and DICT Secretary Robert Joseph M. de Claro led the signing on 21 October 2026 at the DICT office in Quezon City.

Limlingan said the agreement sets up a partnership to support the online freelancing industry through capability-building and competency development, as well as wider SSS coverage. He said a main goal is to raise awareness of, and registration and compliance with, the Social Security Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11199) among online workers.

"Freelancers and virtual assistants are an important and growing segment of our workforce," Limlingan said, adding that the SSS wants no Filipino worker left without social security protection.

Under the arrangement, freelancers and virtual assistants will be encouraged to sign up as self-employed members. This would make them eligible for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral and death benefits. Self-employed members may also apply for SSS loans, including salary loans, the Emergency Loan Program and the SSS Micro Loan Program, and may get added coverage under the Employees' Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness, disability or death.

The SSS contribution rate is currently 15 percent. For self-employed members, the monthly salary credit used to compute contributions ranges from ₱5,000 to ₱35,000. According to Limlingan, the minimum monthly contribution is ₱760, made up of ₱750 for the regular SSS contribution and ₱10 for EC. The maximum is ₱5,280, consisting of ₱3,000 in regular contributions, ₱30 for EC and ₱2,250 for the Mandatory Provident Fund.

The two agencies said they will also look into joint work on freelancer education, partnerships, job creation and matching, advocacy, and monitoring of program results.