October is the contribution month for the third quarter of the Social Security System.  As of 18th October, there are still about 7,700 employers who have not yet paid obligatory system contributions for their employees, accounting for about 36% of the total number of employers who are required to pay contributions.  The Social Security Fund (abbreviated to FSS in Macao) reminds employers that they will have to pay a late payment interest and fines if they make their payment late.   It is expected that the flow of people at the service point will increase nearing the end of the month.  The FSS appeals to employers for making their payments as early as possible and employers who have already applied for the Electronic Filing Service should try to make full use of the electronic payment options available.  

All employers are required to make contributions for their local long-term employees on or before 31st October (Thursday).  If they have hired a non-resident worker, they must also pay employment fee for the non-resident worker as well.  If there is no staff change of local long-term employees during the quarter, the relevant contributions and employment fee can be paid to the Municipal Affairs Bureau’s Public Services Centres and its Sub-Stations, or to the nine designated banks (including Bank of China Macau Branch, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Ltd., Banco Comercial de Macau, Tai Fung Bank, Banco Nacional Ultramarino, OCBC Wing Hang Bank, Macau Chinese Bank, Luso International Banking Limited and Delta Asia Bank).  Besides, the FSS has added the Macao Government Services Centre in Islands (Area of Social Security) (Address: Rua de Coimbra, No. 225, 3.˚ andar, Taipa).  Businesses, or residents of the Islands District can also visit this new service point in person for making their payment. 

As required by law, employers are required to pay a late payment interest and fines if they make their payments late.  As for beneficiaries of the arbitrary system, if they make their contribution payment late, the contributions due cannot be paid unless the payment is made with a late payment interest within two months after the expiration of the statutory period. 

For more information, members of the public may visit the FSS website at www.fss.gov.mo, or call 2853 2850 during office hours for enquiries.