THE Commission on Audit (COA) has discovered that deceased individuals are still receiving pensions from the Social Security System (SSS), leading to over P24 million in overpayments. The audit also revealed underpaid SSS funeral benefits amounting to P3 million.
The COA report highlights significant discrepancies in the SSS pension disbursement system, raising concerns about the accuracy and efficiency of the agency’s processes. The overpayments to deceased pensioners indicate a failure to properly update records and implement effective verification mechanisms.
“The continued disbursement of pension benefits to deceased individuals not only results in financial losses for the SSS but also raises questions about the integrity of the pension system,” the COA report stated.
In addition to the overpayments, the COA also found that numerous beneficiaries received underpaid funeral benefits, totaling P3 million. This discrepancy suggests potential errors in the calculation or processing of claims, further undermining public trust in the SSS.
The COA has recommended that the SSS implement stricter controls and verification procedures to prevent overpayments to deceased individuals and ensure accurate disbursement of funeral benefits. These measures include regular data reconciliation with relevant government agencies, enhanced beneficiary verification processes, and improved monitoring of pension payments.
The findings of the COA report underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of SSS funds. The SSS has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the COA’s findings and outlining the steps it will take to rectify the identified issues.
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