The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) disbursed nearly GH₵3.2 billion (GH₵3,167,421,314.35) to beneficiaries from January to June 2024
The money was paid to 267, 874 beneficiaries under various benefit types.
Director-General, Mr. Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo announced this at the launch of the 2024 SSNIT Mobile Service Week and SSNIT Digital Bouquet
Breakdown of beneficiaries
He said 248,554 beneficiaries received old-age pensions, 1,666 received invalidity pensions, and 2,941 received old-age lump sums.
Additionally, he stated that survivors’ lump sums were disbursed to 14,493 people, refunds were made to 92 individuals, and 128 people received emigration lump sums.
Savings from deactivation of inactive pensioners
Mr. Osafo-Maafo also reported that the Trust saved more than GH₵550 million by deactivating pensioners over 72 years old who failed to renew their pension certificates.
A total of 42,745 names were removed from the pension payroll, though 24,177 were later reinstated, leaving 18,568 deactivated as of June 2024.
“I am pleased to report that this measure has saved the Trust more than GH₵550 million as of June 2024,” he said.
He assured that any pensioner who renews their Pensioner Certificate will have their account reactivated, with arrears paid.
Appeal to informal sector workers
The Director-General urged traders, market women, entrepreneurs, and other informal sector workers to sign up for the SSNIT scheme to secure their futures.
He emphasized that old age, invalidity, and death does not discriminate, making it imperative for all workers to enroll in the scheme.
Low enrollment in the informal sector
Mr. Osafo-Maafo expressed concern that while 60% of the 3.2 million formal sector workers are covered under the SSNIT scheme, only 3.2% (100,000) of the 3.1 million eligible informal sector workers are enrolled.
Although this represents an improvement from last year, he noted that it remains largely insignificant.
He urged all working members of the public under 45 years of age to join the scheme, regardless of their job or income level.
SSNIT Mobile Service Week
This year’s SSNIT Mobile Service Week is themed “Sign up with SSNIT today for a pension that pays you as long as you live.”
The initiative aims to bring service delivery closer to clients, particularly to increase the number of self-employed people on the scheme.
SSNIT has deployed 76 mobile teams to designated locations across the country to assist customers with registering employees, issuing account statements, merging SSNIT and National Ghana Card numbers, and reactivating accounts.
