QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) recently its plan to expand its investment portfolio in foreign markets while continuing to actively participate in the domestic capital markets, as part of its strategy to diversify assets, enhance returns, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the pension fund.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the SSS’ improved financial position provides greater capacity to pursue investment opportunities while continuing to contribute to nation-building through investments in the domestic market.
“We are very conservative, but at the same time, we are also in a very good position now because of our surplus, that for the first time, we have an opportunity to help in nation-building,” de Claro said.
As of 30 June 2026, SSS had P1.27 trillion in consolidated investments, distributed across various asset classes in the domestic market. These include P629.05 billion in government securities, P179.44 billion in equities, P154.56 billion in property, P151.90 billion in member loans, and P96.34 billion in corporate notes and bonds, among others.
The diversified portfolio generated P27.16 billion in actual investment income as of 30 June 2026, equivalent to an annualized return on investment of 4.53 percent. The figures exclude realized gains from the sale of equity securities classified as fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI).
SSS remains an active institutional investor in the Philippine capital market through investments in equities, government securities, and other financial instruments allowed under its investment policies. Its exploration of international investments is intended to complement, not replace, its existing domestic investments, providing greater diversification across markets and asset classes.
The planned overseas expansion will allow SSS to explore additional investment opportunities while maintaining its role in supporting the local capital market.
He emphasized that exploring overseas investments does not mean reducing SSS’ participation in the Philippine market. Rather, the initiative is intended to complement its existing domestic investments by providing greater diversification across markets and asset classes.
SSS aims to grow its reserve fund to P2 trillion by 2030, supporting its capacity to provide meaningful and sustainable social security protection to current and future generations of members and pensioners. (Manny D. Balbin)
