Pensioners applaud SSNIT’s efforts, call for further improvements

A forum organized by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) saw Mr. Stephen Boakye, General Secretary of the National Pensioners Association express appreciation for SSNIT’s consistent engagement with pensioners while calling for ongoing improvements to address the pressing challenges faced by retirees.

During his speech, Mr. Boakye acknowledged SSNIT’s recognition of pensioners as crucial stakeholders in Ghana’s pension system, noting that there are over 300,000 pensioners across the country, with more than 80,000 of them being members of the National Pensioners Association. “Pensioners are the only group that can speak from firsthand experience about the SSNIT pension scheme’s benefits and challenges,” he said, underscoring the unique role of pensioners in shaping the future of Ghana’s pension system.

Despite his commendation, Mr. Boakye highlighted several challenges pensioners have faced over the years. One of the most significant issues is the inadequacy of pension payments in relation to the rising cost of living. Many pensioners have found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet due to inflation and economic pressures, with their monthly pensions unable to cover basic necessities like food, healthcare, and housing. These financial difficulties have left many retirees vulnerable and struggling to maintain a decent standard of living.

Additionally, there have been concerns about delays in the processing of pension benefits, particularly for new retirees. These delays often cause unnecessary hardship for pensioners who rely on their pensions as their primary source of income. Mr. Boakye emphasized the importance of streamlining SSNIT’s administrative processes to ensure timely payments, which would alleviate the financial strain experienced by many pensioners.

Mr. Boakye also recounted a touching story about one of their members from the Volta Region, a man who lived to the remarkable age of 120 and consistently received his pension until his passing. The elderly man’s satisfaction with the reliability of his pension payments highlighted SSNIT’s success in providing stable support for retirees. However, the story also underscored the need for the pension system to adapt and cater to the growing population of aging pensioners, many of whom require additional assistance in accessing healthcare and other essential services.

Health challenges remain a major concern for pensioners, as the cost of medical care continues to rise. Many pensioners, particularly those with chronic illnesses, have called for better access to affordable healthcare and the expansion of pension benefits to include health support. While the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) offers some relief, its limitations have often left pensioners without adequate coverage for their medical needs.

Mr. Boakye was candid in his assessment that no system is perfect and that the SSNIT pension scheme, despite its flaws, has been a vital lifeline for retired workers in Ghana. He called for continued collaboration between SSNIT and pensioners to improve the scheme’s efficiency and address the pressing issues that retirees face. “Improvement is necessary as we strive for perfection,” he said, emphasizing that pensioners must be included in ongoing discussions about the future of the pension system.

The forum reaffirmed SSNIT’s commitment to working closely with pensioners to ensure that their needs are met and that the pension scheme remains sustainable for future generations. SSNIT’s Director-General assured the audience that the trust is dedicated to continuous improvement and is taking steps to address the concerns raised by pensioners.

The engagement concluded on a hopeful note, with both SSNIT and the National Pensioners Association expressing their shared goal of enhancing the quality of life for Ghana’s retirees. As the country’s pension system evolves, it is clear that addressing the challenges faced by pensioners will be critical to its success.