Along with SSS, freelancers are expected to keep up two more memberships: PhilHealth for health coverage and Pag-IBIG for housing savings and loans.
Neither is complicated. The main difference from employment is that you now pay both shares yourself.
PhilHealth: 5% of your monthly income
Self-earning individuals are direct contributors under the Universal Health Care Act. The premium is 5% of your monthly income, and you pay all of it.
There is a floor and a ceiling. Income is counted as at least ₱10,000 and at most ₱100,000. So your monthly premium is between ₱500 and ₱5,000.
No rate change has been announced for 2026 (see PhilHealth Advisory 2026-0042), so the 5% rate still applies.
- Income of ₱10,000 or less → ₱500 a month
- Income between ₱10,000 and ₱100,000 → 5% of your income
- Income of ₱100,000 or more → ₱5,000 a month
How often you can pay PhilHealth
You do not have to pay every month. Direct contributors can pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
Paying ahead for a quarter or a year is a simple way to avoid gaps if your freelance income is uneven.
Match payments to your cash flow
If you get paid in big, irregular chunks, pay PhilHealth for several months at once right after a large payout. Check the PhilHealth website for accepted payment channels.
Pag-IBIG: up to ₱400 a month
Under Pag-IBIG Fund Circular 460 (effective February 2024), the maximum monthly fund salary is ₱10,000. Employees pay 2% and employers pay 2%.
As a self-employed member, you pay both shares:
- 3% of your monthly income if it is ₱1,500 or less
- 4% of your monthly income if it is above ₱1,500, counted up to ₱10,000
- Maximum required contribution: ₱400 a month
A minimum of ₱200 a month is commonly cited for self-employed members, but the actual amount depends on the income you declare. Confirm your required amount with Pag-IBIG.
You may also choose to contribute more than the required amount. Higher savings earn dividends and can help with loan eligibility.
What about MP2?
MP2 is a separate, voluntary savings program from Pag-IBIG. It is not part of your mandatory contribution. Some freelancers use it as an extra savings option on top of their regular Pag-IBIG payments.
MP2 has its own terms, so read the details on the Pag-IBIG website before you sign up.
Sample monthly contributions
PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG for self-employed members (2026)
| Monthly income | PhilHealth (5%) | Pag-IBIG (4%, capped) | Total per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₱10,000 | ₱500 | ₱400 | ₱900 |
| ₱20,000 | ₱1,000 | ₱400 | ₱1,400 |
| ₱35,000 | ₱1,750 | ₱400 | ₱2,150 |
| ₱50,000 | ₱2,500 | ₱400 | ₱2,900 |
| ₱150,000 | ₱5,000 (ceiling) | ₱400 | ₱5,400 |
At ₱50,000 a month
PhilHealth is 5% × ₱50,000 = ₱2,500. Pag-IBIG is 4% of the ₱10,000 cap = ₱400. Together that is ₱2,900 a month, or ₱34,800 a year — before SSS.
Getting set up
Steps differ a little between agencies and change from time to time, so check each official website first. In general:
- If you were employed before, you already have PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG numbers — update your membership category instead of registering again
- Tell each agency you are now self-employed or self-earning and declare your monthly income
- Choose a payment schedule you can keep up with
- Keep proof of every payment
- Check your contribution records online now and then
Common questions
What counts as my monthly income for PhilHealth?
For self-earning members, it is the income you declare. If your freelance income swings from month to month, use a realistic average. Keep your platform reports and bank statements in case you need to show how you arrived at it.
I earn less than ₱10,000 some months. Do I still pay ₱500?
Yes. PhilHealth counts income as at least ₱10,000, so the lowest premium is ₱500 a month even in slow months.
Is Pag-IBIG really capped at ₱400?
The required contribution is. Because the fund salary is capped at ₱10,000, 4% works out to ₱400 at most. You can still choose to save more on top, either in your regular account or through MP2.
Can I claim these on my income tax?
Under the 8% option and graduated rates with OSD, you do not deduct actual expenses, so these payments do not lower your tax there. If you use itemized deductions, ask a tax professional how to treat them.
Why it is worth staying current
PhilHealth coverage can reduce your hospital bills, and gaps in payment can affect your eligibility. Pag-IBIG savings earn dividends and are the basis for housing and short-term loans.
These contributions are separate from your BIR taxes. Budget for both.
Bottom line
Freelancers pay PhilHealth at 5% of monthly income (₱500 to ₱5,000) and Pag-IBIG at up to ₱400 a month. Pick a steady payment schedule and keep your receipts.
Use the contributions calculator to see these next to your SSS amount, and confirm current rules on philhealth.gov.ph and pagibigfund.gov.ph.