Review SSNIT Pension Scheme – NPA
The National Pensioners Association (NPA) of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), on Monday appealed to government to engage all stakeholders to review the current pension’s scheme to better the lives of pensioners.
The problems of SSNIT pensioners needed immediate intervention by government as well as stakeholders in order for them to live comfortably after long years of hard work, Mr Edward Ameyibor, General Secretary, SSNIT NPA stated in Accra.
Mr Ameyibor, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, noted that currently 50 per cent of pensioners under SSNIT were receiving less than a GHȻ100.00 monthly, which is woefully inadequate for a comfortable future; “we need to breech the gab.
“The lowest paid SSNIT pensioner received GHȻ52.00 monthly, which could hardly cater for even the medical bills of individuals, but the association has worked hard since its inception to increase the amount to at least GHȻ100.00 per month.
“To be eligible to receive funds under the SSNIT Fund one must a be a contributor to the Scheme for more than 20 years, after which 25 per cent of the total sum would be given out in bulk”.
Mr Ameyibor, a former GNA Supervising Chief Editor, said the association since its inception in 2009, had helped to increase the pensions of members progressively, saying now every SSNNIT pensioner would receive 12 per cent increment on their allowances.
“The health of pensioners was very important but, in Ghana very little has been done to cater for the health needs of pensioners.
“The National Health insurance Scheme, which is supposed to complement the health needs of all Ghanaians, was also not friendly to the aged,” he said.
Mr Ameyibor indicated that the association had set up a charity fund which would be formally launched in May this year to assist pensioners in times of emergency, especially in relation to their health problems, since that had been totally ignored over the years.
He said lack of pension education in the past had made it impossible for most pensioners now to access their funds, and it was important to encourage and advise the current generation to take ken interest in pension education.
He urged workers, especially the youth and women to be serious about pensions, saying: “They must ensure that their employers pay their pension’s contribution to SSNIT, and get evidence for all payments as often as possible”.
Source: GNA