When you build virtual teams in the Philippines or convert freelancers into real employees, you’ll encounter responsibilities that go beyond salary. As an employer, you are required to handle social security, health, and housing contributions through the government agencies SSS (Social Security System), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund.
If you’re new to hiring virtual staff or managing employee conversions, this process may feel overwhelming at first. But don’t worry. This guide is designed to walk you through everything step by step so you understand not just how to file and pay SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, but also why they matter to your team and your business.
At Comply.ph, our platform was built to simplify all of this for you. We take on the responsibility of ensuring your Filipino team is fully compliant, while you focus on growth. Whether you want to build a new team in the Philippines or turn your freelancers into employees with long-term stability, we make the process seamless, ethical, and cost-effective.
Why Filing and Paying SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Matters
If you want to secure your team’s loyalty and strengthen their trust, these government contributions are not optional. They are mandatory, and they come with several benefits that your employees will appreciate.
- SSS (Social Security System): Provides benefits such as retirement, sickness, maternity, disability, and death benefits.
- PhilHealth: Covers hospitalization, outpatient care, and other medical expenses.
- Pag-IBIG Fund: Helps employees save for housing, retirement, and emergencies, and provides access to affordable loans.
By ensuring compliance, you give your virtual staff the same protections as employees in traditional office setups. This is why employee conversions are so powerful. Freelancers who become employees under your business not only gain job security but also enjoy these government benefits.
With our platform at Comply.ph, you don’t have to worry about learning every detail of compliance. We act as your Employer of Record and manage all contributions on your behalf. Still, it’s helpful to know how the process works, so let’s go into detail.
Step 1: Register Your Business and Your Employees
Before you can file and pay contributions, you need to register both your business and your employees with the three agencies.
- Registering with SSS
- Visit the Social Security System website and create an employer account.
- Submit the Employer Registration Form (SS Form R1).
- Provide supporting documents such as your business permit and proof of business registration with DTI or SEC.
- Once approved, you’ll receive an employer number.
- Registering with PhilHealth
- Complete the Employer Data Record (ER1).
- Submit it along with a copy of your business permit and SEC or DTI registration.
- PhilHealth will issue an Employer Number.
- Registering with Pag-IBIG
- Submit the Employer’s Data Form (EDF).
- Provide your business documents.
- Pag-IBIG will assign you a company ID number.
Once you’re registered, your employees need to be registered as well. Most Filipinos already have SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG numbers, but for new hires, you’ll help them complete the forms.
At Comply.ph, we handle all these onboarding tasks for you. If you’re converting freelancers into employees, our team ensures they are registered with these agencies right away, so there are no delays in compliance.
Step 2: Compute Contributions Correctly
Each of the three agencies has its own schedule of contributions. As an employer, you’re responsible for deducting your employee’s share from their salary and adding your counterpart before remitting the total.
- SSS Contributions
- Contributions are based on the employee’s monthly salary credit.
- Both employee and employer share the responsibility, with the employer covering the larger portion.
- Contributions also include the Employees Compensation (EC) program, which is fully shouldered by the employer.
- PhilHealth Contributions
- Computed as a percentage of the employee’s basic salary.
- Shared equally between employer and employee.
- There’s a minimum and maximum salary base to consider.
- Pag-IBIG Contributions
- Usually set at 1 percent to 2 percent of the employee’s monthly salary.
- Employers match the employee’s contribution.
- Employees can choose to contribute more voluntarily.
If you manage virtual staff and employee conversions without help, you’ll need to carefully track these amounts. Mistakes can cause compliance issues. Our platform automates this through Comply.ph. You get a single invoice covering everything, and we remit contributions correctly and on time.
Step 3: Filing and Payment Process
Once you’ve registered and calculated contributions, you need to file and pay. Each agency has slightly different procedures.
- How to File and Pay SSS
- Online Filing: Use the SSS Employer Portal. Upload your contribution schedule and employee details.
- Payment:
- Pay through accredited banks.
- Use online payment facilities such as GCash, PayMaya, or BancNet.
- Employers can also pay through the SSS Payment Reference Number system.
- How to File and Pay PhilHealth
- Filing: Submit the monthly premium remittance report (RF-1) through the PhilHealth Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS).
- Payment:
- Pay via accredited banks.
- Electronic payment facilities are also available.
- How to File and Pay Pag-IBIG
- Filing: Submit the Monthly Remittance Schedule (MRS).
- Payment:
- Through Pag-IBIG-accredited banks.
- Via online portals such as Virtual Pag-IBIG or GCash.
For businesses that are building virtual teams, managing these three agencies separately can be time-consuming. With Comply.ph, you don’t have to log into different systems or worry about filing errors. We consolidate everything for you.
Step 4: Stay on Top of Deadlines
Missing deadlines for filing and paying contributions can result in penalties. Here are the general deadlines:
- SSS: On or before the last day of the month following the applicable month.
- PhilHealth: On or before the 11th to 15th of the following month, depending on your payment schedule.
- Pag-IBIG: On or before the 10th of the following month.
When you build virtual teams and handle employee conversions, it’s easy to lose track of these dates. Comply.ph removes this stress. We ensure your business never misses a deadline.
Common Challenges Employers Face
Even if you know the steps, there are common issues that arise:
- Difficulty understanding contribution tables
- Manual errors in reporting and remittance
- Delayed registration of new hires
- Managing multiple platforms for filing
- Handling penalties for late payments
For businesses with virtual staff, these challenges can add up quickly. This is exactly why Comply.ph was created. Our platform is designed to manage compliance in the Philippines, so you don’t have to spend hours learning and troubleshooting.
How Comply.ph Makes This Easy
When you partner with us, here’s what happens:
- We onboard your team: Whether you’re hiring new employees or handling employee conversions, we ensure they are registered with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.
- We calculate contributions: No guesswork or manual errors.
- We file and pay on your behalf: Using our Philippine entity, we act as the Employer of Record.
- We consolidate everything: Instead of dealing with multiple government systems, you get one clear invoice.
- We reduce your risk: Full compliance means no penalties and no legal issues.
This is why so many businesses rely on us when they want to build virtual teams in the Philippines.
Building Loyalty Through Compliance
Paying SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG is not just about following the law. It’s about building loyalty and showing your team that you value them. When freelancers go through employee conversions and become official staff, they immediately see the benefits:
- Job security
- Access to healthcare
- Retirement and housing savings
- Professional growth opportunities
Employees who feel secure are more committed. This leads to better retention and stronger performance. With Comply.ph, you get to offer all of this without the compliance burden.
Practical Tips for Employers
If you’re managing compliance yourself, here are tips to make the process smoother:
- Keep employee information updated in all three agencies.
- Regularly download the latest contribution tables.
- Set reminders for payment deadlines.
- Use electronic systems whenever possible to save time.
- Double-check remittance reports before submission.
If you’re working with virtual staff across multiple locations, these steps can feel overwhelming. That’s why many businesses choose employee conversions through Comply.ph. It’s the simplest way to secure talent for the long-term while staying fully compliant.
Why Choose Comply.ph
Our platform is not just about filing and paying SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. It’s about helping you build virtual teams that last. Here’s why businesses choose us:
- We professionalize your relationships with workers by converting them into real employees.
- We handle compliance end to end so you focus on growth.
- We build loyalty in your team by ensuring they receive fair wages and government benefits.
- We reduce turnover because employees with benefits and job security stay longer.
- We save you time and stress with one streamlined system.
When you want to build a committed, compliant team in the Philippines, Comply.ph is your best choice.
Final Thoughts
Filing and paying SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions is a core part of employing in the Philippines. It can feel complicated, especially if you’re hiring virtual staff or converting freelancers into employees. But it’s also one of the most important steps you can take to build loyalty and secure talent for the long-term.
You don’t need to do it alone. At Comply.ph, our platform manages compliance on your behalf. From employee conversions to filing government contributions, we make the process seamless, ethical, and cost-effective.
If you’re ready to build virtual teams in the Philippines without compliance headaches, book your free consultation call today.
