23 October 2015 - Filipinos living in Sweden applaud the good news of the forging of a social security agreement between the Philippines and Sweden on October 15 in Stockholm. At an informal forum held the following day, Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. and Philippine non-resident Ambassador to Sweden Bayani S. Mercado welcomed Filipino community attendees, hailing the benefits that said agreement would provide to Filipinos living in Sweden. The SSS President and CEO provided an overview of the national pension system, while SSS Senior Vice President and Philippine negotiator Judy Frances A. See presented an update on the main features and services of the Philippine social security service and answered questions by Filipino community participants on the new bilateral agreement. Ms. See also presented the SSS Flexifund for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a provident fund-type of investment product that is already serving the financial dreams of many Filipinos abroad.
Following ratification by the Philippines and by Sweden, the social security agreement is expected to benefit nationals of both countries in terms of securing their respective long-term and pension benefits, guaranteeing equality of treatment of nationals in accessing applicable benefits; the portability of benefits when nationals of one Party reside in the other Party; the totalization of insurance periods, and the exchange of information and mutual assistance between the competent authorities.
Filipinos living in Sweden who are interested to reactivate their SSS contributions or participate in the OFW Flexifund can contact the SSS Representative in Europe, Ms. Thelma V. Venturanza, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and +44 207 451 1830/ + 44 208 432 9864 (London office). To view the SSS presentation at the event, please click on the link below.