MANILA, Philippines — A program designed for members of the Social Security System (SSS) has posted an average return of investment (ROI) of 6.2 percent from January to May this year despite the prevailing economic challenges, its top official revealed on Wednesday.
The Pension Booster Program, also known as the Voluntary Provident Fund, continues to deliver strong financial performance in 2026 and remains a reliable retirement savings option for Filipino workers, SSS president and CEO Robert Joseph de Claro said.
De Claro said the return remained competitive and continued to exceed market benchmark rates although it was slightly lower than the previous year’s performance due to changes in interest rates implemented by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The program reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening retirement security, according to Finance Secretary Frederick Go who is ex-official chair of Social Security Commission, the agency’s governing body.
Go stressed that the continued strong performance of the SSS Pension Booster underscored its commitment to protecting the financial future of Filipino workers.
“Through prudent management of members’ funds, we are helping build a more secure and dignified retirement for every Filipino,” the Finance chief said.
De Claro noted that the 2026 performance follows the 6.83 percent return in 2025, surpassing the prevailing 91-day treasury bill rate which has a year-to-date average of approximately 4.77 percent.
In 2025, contributions rose 21.8 percent to P699 million from P574 million in 2024, reflecting growing member confidence in the program, the SSS chief executive said in a statement emailed to The Manila Times.
To maximize members’ earnings, de Claro said the SSS waived the one percent management fee on the total balance of Pension Booster accounts from 2025 to 2028, allowing members to fully enjoy investment gains.
He said that members may now conveniently monitor the monthly compounding growth of their Pension Booster savings through their My.SSS accounts, allowing them to track the progress of their retirement funds and make more informed decisions in planning for their future.
“The strong performance of the Pension Booster demonstrates disciplined and professionally managed savings. We remain committed to providing members greater financial security during retirement,” de Claro said.
Stressing that the program (Pension Booster) is open to all SSS members to build additional savings for their retirement, the top SSS official said that it would allow individuals to save starting at P500, with no maximum contribution limit.
De Claro then urged members to start early and stay invested longer to maximize returns, citing the benefits of compound growth.
“Planning and saving for retirement should begin early. The longer the members stay invested, the greater their potential returns,” he said.
Interested SSS members may enroll in the Pension Booster Program online through their My.SSS account, he added.
