SSS eyes overseas investments while maintaining domestic market role

QUEZON CITY — The Social Security System (SSS) plans to expand into foreign markets while maintaining its investments in the Philippines, as the state-run pension fund seeks to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its long-term financial position.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the pension fund’s improved financial position gives it greater capacity to consider investments overseas while continuing to support the domestic capital 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.

(“We are very conservative, but at the same time, we are now in a strong position because of our surplus, giving us, for the first time, an opportunity to contribute to nation-building.”)

The SSS said its overseas investment plans are intended to complement, rather than replace, its existing Philippine investments.

The strategy is aimed at spreading exposure across markets and asset classes while allowing the fund to pursue additional investment opportunities.

As of June 30, 2026, SSS reported consolidated investments of ₱1.27 trillion, according to figures released by the pension fund.

Government securities accounted for the largest portion at ₱629.05 billion, followed by equities at ₱179.44 billion, property at ₱154.56 billion, member loans at ₱151.90 billion, and corporate notes and bonds at ₱96.34 billion, among other assets.

The portfolio generated ₱27.16 billion in actual investment income in the first half of 2026, equivalent to an annualized return on investment of 4.53%, SSS said.

The figures exclude realized gains from the sale of equity securities classified as fair value through other comprehensive income, or FVTOCI.

SSS remains an institutional investor in the Philippine capital market through equities, government securities and other financial instruments permitted under its investment policies.

The planned move into international markets would give the pension fund another avenue for diversification without signaling a retreat from the domestic market, the SSS said.

The pension fund said it is targeting a ₱2 trillion reserve fund by 2030, which it said would support its capacity to provide sustainable social security benefits to current and future members and pensioners.