The Social Security System has reduced the age for optional and technical retirement of both surface and underground mine workers from the previous retirement age of 55 years old to 50 years old.
This was in compliance with Department of Labor and Employment Department Order No. 167 S-2016.
SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said the new policy reduced the optional retirement to 50 years old and the technical or compulsory retirement to 60 years old for both underground and surface mine workers.
“We deemed it necessary to include both underground and surface mine workers to ensure that social security protection is given to all kinds of mine workers. We understand the danger of their work and we want them to enjoy the fruits of their hard-earned money as early as possible,” said Dooc.
The Department Order is DoLE’s implementation of Republic Act 10757, which amends Article 302 of Presidential Decree No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Based on the guidelines, surface mine workers include only mill plant workers, electrical, mechanical, and tailings pond personnel. Underground mine workers are those employed to extract mineral deposits underground, or whose workplace is beneath the ground.
To qualify for the SSS retirement benefit, the surface or underground mine worker must have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement. If the mine worker will retire at the age of 50, he should ensure that he has stopped working.
“If the mine worker-member chooses the optional retirement of 50 years old, he must be separated from employment or has stopped working at the time he files his claim. Otherwise, he will not be allowed to file for retirement benefit or if his retirement claim is already granted, it will be suspended by SSS,” said Dooc.
The mine worker should also have been employed and certified as underground and surface mine workers by his employer who must be duly registered with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. The certification must also include the workers position title and his job description.
At the time of filing for retirement claim, the mine worker must have worked for at least five years, whether continuous or accumulated prior to the semester of retirement. But the actual date of retirement should not be earlier than April 27, 2016—the date of effectivity of the reduced retirement age.
“We hope that with this new policy, the SSS will be able to extend the benefits that our members need as early as possible. We want our mine workers to feel that we care for them and we want them to enjoy the money they saved with SSS,” said Dooc.
