The Social Security Fund (FSS) reminds members of the public that beneficiaries receiving old-age or disability pension are required to provide the proof of life in January each year.  Around 81,000 individuals are required to provide the proof of life in 2015.  The FSS will offer reminders by sending automated text messages.

More than 80,000 beneficiaries of old-age and disability pension can visit the following locations (See Appendix I) to provide the proof of life with their valid Macao SAR ID Cards in January:

• Albergue of the Holy House of Mercy;
• Areia Preta Service Centre of Macao SAR;
• “Ilha Verde” Social Service Centre, “Nossa Senhora de Fátima“ Social Service Centre, “Santo António & São Lázaro” Social Service Centre, “São Lourenço e Sé” Social Service Centre and “Taipa e Coloane” Social Service Centre under Social Welfare Bureau (SWB).

Starting January 2^nd, beneficiaries can also bring along their valid Macao SAR Resident ID Cards to provide the proof of life via the self-service machines set up at 31 locations in Macao (Education and Youth Affairs Bureau is a new location).  If the beneficiary is also the beneficiary of Social Welfare Bureau and/or Pension Fund, he/she can also provide the proof of life for the three departments all at the same time via a self-service machine.  The locations of the self-service machines are as follows (See Appendix II):

• FSS Head Office and FSS China Civil Plaza Office in NAPE;
• SWB Head Office and its five Social Service Centres, Assessment Centre for Rehabilitation and Healthy Life Education Centre;
• Education and Youth Affairs Bureau;
• Pension Fund;
• Financial Services Bureau Building and its Taipa Service Centre;
• Three Activity Centres and Islands District Public Services Centre under Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau;
• Areia Preta Service Centre of Macao SAR;
• Lobby of Hospital Conde S. Januário and seven District Health Centres;
• Two ports of entry at the Border Gate and the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal;
• Ground floor lobby of China Plaza Building.

In response to environmental protection and paper saving, the FSS stopped sending notification letters about the proof of life from last year.  Instead the FSS reminded beneficiaries who have agreed to receive automated text messages from the FSS by sending SMS to their mobile phones.  For individuals who wish to receive text messages about the proof of life next year, they can visit the relevant locations to sign up for this service in January or they can choose to sign up later at different service points of the FSS.

Moreover, for beneficiaries who live in Macao but cannot move on their own and go through the relevant formalities in person due to serious illness, they can ask someone to submit for them the certificate issued by local hospital or nursing home in 2015, or a medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner registered in Macao, validating that he/she has provided medical consultation to the beneficiary in 2015.  For verification purposes, the authorized representative is required to produce his/her original ID card and that of the beneficiary when he/she submits the relevant documentation.

For beneficiaries residing in regions outside the Macao SAR (including Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan region or overseas), they can submit the required documentation to the FSS either by post or by asking someone to submit for them (See Appendix III).

For more information about the proof of life 2015, please call 2853 2850 during office hours or visit the FSS website at www.fss.gov.mo/en/sites/vida/id/35.