Mandatory Online filing of retirement claims to also cover Self-Employed Members age 60 to 64 years old starting July 1

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Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino said the coverage of the mandatory online filing of retirement benefit claims through the My.SSS Portal will be extended to self-employed members who are 60 to 64 years old starting July 1, 2022.

This is in addition to all employee-members, voluntary members, land-based Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) members, and self-employed members aged 65 years old and above at the time of retirement who were required to file online effective July 2020.


“As early as 2015, we have made this online facility available to our members who have reached their technical retirement age of 65 years old. With the onset of the pandemic, we have continuously enhanced this online facility to provide our members with a simpler and more convenient mode of application without physically going to our branches. All they need to do is to access their My.SSS account, click Apply for Retirement Benefit under the Benefits section of the E-Services tab, fill out the required information, and submit the required supporting documents,” Regino said.


Members with the following special cases on retirement benefit claims should still file manually at any SSS branch or foreign representative office:
With outstanding Stock Investment Loan Program (SILP)/Privatization Loan Program/Educational Loan/Vocational Technology Loan balance;
With dependent child/children under guardianship;
Wherein member is incapacitated, under guardianship, or confined in an applicable institution such as penitentiary, correctional institution, or rehabilitation center;
With Application of Portability Law or Bilateral Social Security Agreements;
With adjustment or for re-adjudication of claim; and
With the unclaimed benefit of a deceased member.The retirement benefit is a cash benefit granted to a member who can no longer work due to old age and has reached the prescribed retirement age. It can be in the form of a monthly pension for those who have paid at least 120 monthly contributions prior to the semester of retirement or a lump sum for those who have paid less than 120 contributions. The qualifying conditions for the retirement benefit program can be accessed at https://crms.sss.gov.ph while the guidelines and policies on the online filing of said benefit claim through the My.SSS Portal can be found at https://bit.ly/SSSCI2021-021.

4 Preparation Tips When Applying for an Online Cash Loan

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If you want to take out a loan, but don’t want to go through a stringent process, you can try online cash loans. You can do so from an online-only lender using their website or app, or from the online department of a traditional lender such as banks and similar financial institutions.

Compared to traditional loans, online cash loans don’t require in-person interactions with a banker or the lender’s representative. Also, many online lenders offer quick application and evaluation processes. In most cases, you may be informed of your loan application status within 24 hours. Most online cash loan providers also only ask for minimal requirements, which makes this option more attractive to people who have limited documentation on hand.

Nevertheless, “minimal requirements” doesn’t mean no requirements. While it’s easier to apply for a loan from online lenders, you still need to follow a certain process. As a loan applicant, you need to be ready to comply so you can get approved and gain access to the cash quicker.

From looking for an online loan app Philippines users can rely on to preparing the necessary documents, here are some tips you need to take note of when applying for an online cash loan:

 

Identify the Purpose of Your Loan

One of the first things you have to do before you take out a loan is to determine the purpose. Although online lenders are certainly more lenient, they may still inquire about the matter as part of the process. To help speed up your application, make sure you’re clear about the reason why you’re applying for the loan.

It’s also better to identify the specifics to be sure about the amount you need to borrow. For example, the amount for a loan to buy a new gadget can be lower than financing part of your travel expenses.

 

Consider Your Monthly Debt Payments

Before you apply for a loan, confirm if you have any existing debts as these can affect how well you manage your finances. If you're using about 50 percent of your take-home pay to pay off existing debt, you may find it challenging to time manage a new loan without compromising your daily living expenses.

If possible, pay off your other debts before applying for a new loan to make your monthly expenses more manageable. If you can’t close all your existing loans, then make sure to settle the payments on time each month to avoid interest charges.

 

Look for the Best Loan Rates and Terms

Different financial institutions have varying loan rates and terms when it comes to online cash loans. In the case of online lenders, they’re usually more considerate with regard to payment terms. Depending on the amount you’ll be borrowing, you can pay the loan off within 6 or up to 36 months. Do take note that the loan term can affect the interest rates. While a longer loan payment term may be easier for you to handle monthly, the interest rate is often higher. On the other hand, shorter loan terms have larger regular payments but come with lower interest.

Given this fact, make sure to explore what different financial institutions have to offer. Do your research and ask the lender if you can have a sample loan computation. This will give you a glimpse of the loan payments and visualize how they affect your finances.

 

Have Your Requirements Ready

When you’re applying for an online cash loan, the lender may ask you for certain requirements like a valid ID and proof of your income. Online lenders request for the former to identify the individual to whom they’re about to lend their money. It’s also one way they can perform background checks to ensure you have a trustworthy record as a borrower. Some valid IDs you can submit include government-issued ones such as your:

● Driver’s license

● Passport

● Postal ID

● COMELEC Voter’s ID

● Professional Regulation Commission ID

● Unified Multipurpose ID

Aside from your identification card, financial institutions also need to verify your income. They do this to assess your capability to pay the loan and other risks that can come with allowing you to borrow money. Depending on the lender, there are a few documents you can show as proof of your income. In case you’re employed, lenders may ask for a copy of your most recent pay slip, certificate of employment, or BIR Form 2316, which proves your salary has been subjected to income tax.

If you’re self-employed, prepare the Department of Trade and Industry registration of your business or the Securities and Exchange Commission registration of your company.

Although applying for an online cash loan is quicker than the traditional application process, it still requires some preparation. If you’re planning to borrow some funds, follow these recommendations so you can gather the requirements beforehand. More importantly, the preparations can help you manage your loans and finances better.

Hamilo Coast: Nurturing nature for 15 years and beyond

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The current rate at which individuals observe sustainability practices is far from halting climate change. Whether it is reducing the use of disposable items or saving more energy, environmentally conscious activities will only yield significant results if everyone is “cast in the same mold,” so to speak. That said, high-impact global sustainable development lies within the responsibility of the government and large organizations—conglomerates among them.

Understanding such a role, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, has incorporated its sustainable practices in its developments early on. Through SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo Inc., a leader in the leisure resort industry and the movers behind Hamilo Coast – this premium seaside complex in Nasugbu, Batangas, fosters a tangible connection with nature. Marking its quindecennial year, Hamilo Coast looks back at its milestones and achievements with its core emphasis on sustainable development.

“Sustainability has been at the forefront of our vision in providing a resort lifestyle. We strive to practice both environmental and social sustainability in our operations through our partners and commnunities,” Franklin M. Bolalin, Assistant Vice President for Hamilo Estate Management, said.

Disaster risk reduction

Every year, the country deals with an average of 19 typhoons, with some often resulting in damages to properties and loss of life. Coastal defenses such as seawalls and breakwater structures are often implemented to resist storm surges. In the case of Hamilo Coast, mangrove trees are the key.

Hamilo Coast’s 100,000 square-meter or equivalent to 10 hectares mangrove belt is one of the largest mangrove areas in the municipality. The sustainable beach resort town has since planted 50,000 mangrove propagules, protected hand-in-hand with the conservation organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.



Biodiversity conservation

Apart from disaster mitigation, mangrove trees also benefit the climate by absorbing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and carbon dioxide. This capacity nurtures the ecosystem and biodiversity in the area, providing habitat for a wide array of species.

Hamilo is home to rich marine life and abundant flora and fauna. Its conservation programs and various sustainability initiatives have nurtured and conserved its precious biodiversity. There are about 96 various bird species found at the estate. Among these bird species are the rough-crested Malkoha and the Philippine eagle-owl.

From growing local plants to conducting regular coastal clean-up drives, coastal resource conservation initiatives are active in Hamilo Coast. With the help of WWF, they can increase their fisheries’ biological capacity and monitor their Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—the Pico de Loro, Etayo and Santelmo coves which are among the three MPAs for Costa Del Hamilo’s Sustainable Development Project. Hamilo has been working with WWF since 2007 monitoring the health and viability of Hamilo Coast area.

In recognition of its conservation efforts, Hamilo Coast was cited by the World Wide Fund for Nature as its longest Sustainability Partner in 2020.

“Over the years, our partnership with SM significantly contributed to the impact we are making in our work in Hamilo Coast. From liquid waste and coral monitoring, to our present work on integrated waste management and food sheds, we hope that this continuing partnership would help us realize our vision of making Hamilo a holistic model of sustainability”, says Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines’ Executive Director.



Green buildings development

The path towards a sustainable future is paved with many interventions, including zero waste, dematerialization, zero emissions and resource efficiency practices. For its part, Hamilo Coast makes its intention to be a premiere sustainability community possible by making sure its buildings are designed with the environment in mind.

Some of the estate’s facilities are powered by alternative sources of energy. For example, its lamp posts use solar power more than traditional ones to function. Natural lighting and ventilation are also noticeable in some of its residential areas, which benefits the environment as well as its tenants. Additionally, Hamilo Coast implements a solid waste management plan that consists of recovery of materials and vermicomposting, among others.



Sustainable living

At Hamilo Coast’s core is how a distinct beachfront home can harmonize with its surrounding environment. As people crave for a more relaxed environment, closer to nature and the outdoors amid a work-from-home setup pushed by the ongoing pandemic, Hamilo homes give access to invigorating landscapes, coves to explore and the calming sea.

Fifteen years later, Hamilo Coast has surpassed its reputation as a weekend respite. It is now one of the best settlement options for people looking to live the coastal life in a sustainable community.