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SEED

The Self-employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) is an initiative that focuses on enrolling self-employed persons and workers in the informal sector on the SSNIT Scheme to contribute regularly on their full earnings.
The initiative provides social protection in the form of partial income replacement for the self-employed during old age and in the event of invalidity. Nominated survivors of Members who pass on also benefit from a Lump Sum payment.
Any self-employed worker between ages 15 and 45 years who has never been a Member of the SSNIT Scheme can register and contribute. Also, people who were once in the formal sector but are now self-employed, irrespective of their age, can reactivate their accounts and continue with their contributions or payment of their monthly premiums to qualify for pension.
SEED is essentially the Tier One product that has been repackaged to encourage the self-employed and informal sector workers to sign up for the SSNIT Scheme and also to continuously contribute on their full earnings for a guaranteed pension among other benefits.
Kindly visit the nearest SSNIT branch with your Ghana Card and go through the onboarding process. You can still go if you haven’t yet obtained your Ghana Card. Registration is free. After registration, you will be required to declare your monthly income or how much you can pay every month.

Social Security

Social Security is a public measure or programme to provide income protection for its members in the event of certain occurrences as Old Age, Invalidity, sickness or Death of a breadwinner. It is also a State assistance to those lacking in economic security and welfare. The main form of benefit provided under a social security package is therefore money or healthcare to the beneficiaries. The money or the income is to assist the beneficiary who as a result of total disability or sickness or old age cannot continue to work to earn a living. It is also important to note that social security replaces only part of a beneficiary’s earning prior to the occurrence of the event. Social security is only a form of assistance and it cannot provide for the total income needs of a person who has suffered a loss of income due to any of the contingencies under social security.
Social security is so important that it is considered essential for society to ensure that its members have it. Because of the pressure to provide for our immediate needs such as food, clothing and shelter very few people will under normal circumstance plan to set aside money to take care of future health bills and provision for old age. However, the uncertainity of the future is real. In the face of this reality, society and governments the world over recognize the need to institute a public programme to ensure that citizens provide for their future income needs. In the absence of social security, citizens who suffer loss of income face severe hardships, and some become an embarrassment and nuisance to the society. The active involvement of society and specifically government in the provision of social security ensure that vulnerable groups are adequately covered in any social security arrangement.
There are three major Social Security Schemes and all have their qualifying conditions. a) In a Welfare Scheme where the state provides income out of general taxation , people have to show or prove that they need support from the state to survive. A welfare scheme normally provides for the vulnerable groups. b) In a contributory social insurance scheme, contributors have a right to benefit by the mere fact that they are contributors and they satisfy the qualifying conditions. The members are paid benefits out of a pool of funds they have contributed to. c) A non-contributory scheme under which citizens may be entitled to income protection as a result of certain occurrences in life. In addition to these three schemes which are primary and national in scope, there are supplementary retirement income schemes operated by employers for their staff. It may be totally or partially funded by the employer. Such employer-assisted schemes are industry or employment specific and the schemes have their own qualifying criteria. The benefits provided under employer-assisted schemes are exclusively for persons in that industry or employment. An example of such an employer-assisted scheme is the Pension Scheme provided for some pensionable officers in the public service normally referred to as CAP 30. Thirdly, Insurance companies and some private fund managers provide private pension schemes. Under the private pension arrangements, an individual contributes to a private pension fund which will give him a benefit under specified condition.
The providers of social security in Ghana are: a) The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) which operates a contributory social insurance scheme for its members. Membership of the scheme cuts across workers from the public and private sectors and self-employed persons. b) Government as an employer provides pension for members of the security agencies, judges and some pensionable officers in the public service. c) Additionally, some employers have supplementary retirement income schemes for their employees. Employees in such organizations therefore draw their primary or basic social security benefit from SSNIT and additional retirement income from the employer assisted schemes. d) There are also some insurance companies which offer personal pension schemes to individuals. The personal pension schemes are fully funded and managed privately.
It is a social insurance scheme under which members contribute monthly or periodically and receive a benefit as and when they qualify. The scheme is therefore contributory. Benefits provided under the SSNIT Pension Scheme are: · Superannuation Pension/ Old age Pension · Invalidity Pension. · Survivor’s Lump sum. · Emigration benefit.
SSNIT has a primary duty to collect contributions to pay pensions and other benefits as they fall due. In carrying out this primary responsibility the Trust undertakes the following specific duties: · Register all employers and issue them with unique Establishment Registration (ER)  numbers. · Register all members and issue them with individual unique Social Security number and a Smart Card. · Collect contributions of members and compile relevant data related to the contributions. · Maintain and update personal and financial records on members. · Process benefits for members as they fall due. · Manage and invest the social security funds.
Every one can be a member. It is mandatory for employers to ensure that all workers in their employment are registered. Even if an organization employs one worker, that worker should be registered and contributions paid on his behalf. The only exceptions are: · Judges · Lecturers in the universities · Personnel in security institutions Self-employed persons can also join the scheme as voluntary contributors.
It is a card that identifies one as a member of the SSNIT Scheme. It has the following information about the member; Surface (Name, Date of birth, photograph, SSNO, Gender) Chip (Name, Date of birth, photograph, two finger prints, Gender)
No! The Social Security number is not transferable and shall be used by ONLY the member throughout his/her transactions with SSNIT. The member is also required to take good care and protect the SSNIT smart card.
The scheme is self-financing through the contributions of members and returns on the investments of the funds.  The new SSNIT Scheme (Act 766) is now referred to as the Basic National Pension Scheme (or Tier-1 Pension Fund).  It is a Defined-Benefit, partially funded scheme and uses a scaled-premium method of financing. It is financed through the combined contributions of the employees and employers as well as investment income. A significant portion of the benefits are derived from investment income.
Until 1991 SSNIT operated a Provident Fund which was more of a savings scheme and interest was therefore paid on the accumulated contributions of a member. However, the current scheme is a pension scheme and it operates on the principles of insurance. In insurance, what is important is for a member to make a minimum contribution and meet the qualifying conditions and be entitled to a benefit. For instance, a member who has contributed continuously for the last 12 months and has been a member of the scheme for three years will be paid a life long invalidity pension in the event of him becoming invalid. Similarly, a member contributes 17.5% of his salary for a minimum of 20 years aggregate but will be entitled to 50% of his best three years salary till his death. Under the survivors benefit the nominees of a deceased member who contributed for even one month could be entitled to 12 years pension. These benefits are clearly more than what an interest can provide.
No. A member cannot withdraw part of his contribution because again it is not a saving scheme. The contributions have to be made over a period of time and invested to enable the scheme pay out the benefits guaranteed under the scheme. In effect if part of the accumulated contributions is withdrawn, the assets of the scheme will be reduced and it will be impossible to provide the benefits promised.
a) Do you have to inform SSNIT if you change your name? Yes. Any member who changes his or her name should contact the nearest SSNIT Branch Office for the change to be effected on his personal records at SSNIT. b) Do you have to inform SSNIT when you change your address? Yes. If you change your address please inform the nearest SSNIT Branch Office for the change to be effected on your personal records. c) Can you change your date of birth with SSNIT? No. This is because dates of births do not change. However, if there is evidence of a genuine error in capturing a date of birth, a change could be effected. d) What is social security nomination? Social Security nomination is a process whereby a member indicates to SSNIT how his social security entitlements should be distributed on or after his death. Nominations made can be changed if a member so desires. However, any change made on a Member’s Update Form should be in the custody of SSNIT before the member’s death. e) What happens if a member fails to make a nomination before his death? His dependants may apply to the court for the interstate succession law to be applied for the distribution of his social security benefits. f) How often can a member change his beneficiaries? As often as possible. g) How can I update my personal records? You can update your personal records – change of name, change of address, social security nomination by filling a Membership Update Form which is available at any SSNIT Branch Office. The form should be endorsed by an employer and/or a some public servant and returned to SSNIT for the update to be done. Update form not in the custody of SSNIT is not valid for use by SSNIT.
i) What are the benefits under the SSNIT Pension Scheme? The Benefits are: . Superannuation Pension/ Old age Pension · Invalidity Pension. · Survivor’s Lump sum. · Emigration benefit. ii)What are the Qualifying Conditions of the Benefits? (a) Full Pension To qualify for a Full Pension, – You must be 60 years and – You must have made a minimum contribution of 180 months in aggregate. (b) Reduced Pension To qualify for a Reduced Pension, * You must be 55 and above but below 60 years of age and * You must have made a minimum contribution of 180 months in aggregate. (c) Basis for Calculation of Old Age Pension The following factors are taken into consideration: i) Age ii) Average of your three (3) Best Years Salaries iii) Earned Pension Right – Number of months you have contributed to the scheme You can earn a pension right between 37.5% and 60% depending on the number of months contributed at the time of retirement. A minimum contribution of 180 months gives a pension right of 37.5% and every additional month attracts an additional percentage of 0.09375%. (d) To Calculate Your Pension Multiply the average of your best three (3) years salaries by your pension credit earned. Reduced Pension For early retirement from ages 55 to 59 an applicant will receive a reduced pension as follows: (e) Return of Contributions Where you have not made the minimum contribution period of 240 months but have qualified by age, you will be entitled to a lump sum payment of your total contribution with interest. (f) How to Apply For Benefit
  • Contact the nearest SSNIT Branch with your Smart Card or Biometric Card, letter of retirement from your employer—not mandatory.
  • The SSNIT Branch will then provide you with a Pension Application Form for completion.
  • Submit your completed Form to the SSNIT Branch.
  • Provide an active bank account number that bears your name—evidence of bank account details.
  • SSNIT will advise you to collect your monthly pension at your bank
iii) How long will your Pension Payment Last? Until Death. iv) What are the qualifying conditions for Invalidity Pension? (a) To qualify for invalidity Pension · You must have made a minimum contribution of 12 months within the last 36 months and · You must have been declared permanently invalid and incapable of any normal gainful employment: By a qualified and recognized medical officer and Certified by a Medical Board (b) How to Apply For Invalidity Pension · Report to the nearest SSNIT Branch with a Medical report from a recognized Medical Practitioner certifying your incapacitation. · You will be made to appear before a Medical Board for examination. · Where the Medical Board confirms your incapacitation, you will obtain Social Security Application Forms from the Branch Office. · Complete the forms and attach three (3) recent passport size photographs. · Where applicable, let your employer endorse the forms. · Submit your completed forms and photographs to the SSNIT Branch Office as early as possible. · SSNIT will advise you to collect your monthly pension at a bank of your choice after processing the claim. (c) Calculation of Invalidity Pension After you have been certified invalid you will be entitled to a pension as follows: · If you have made the minimum contribution of 180 months or more, you will be entitled to your earned pension. · If you have not made the minimum contribution period, you will receive a pension based on a pension right of 37.5% of the average of your best three years salary. v) When is the survivors’ benefit paid? This benefit is paid to dependants of members under the following conditions: · When the member dies before retirement. · When the member, while a pensioner, dies before attaining age 75. (a) Calculation of Survivors’ Benefit This benefit is computed as follows: · Where a member dies having satisfied the minimum contribution period of 180 months, in aggregate, a lump sum payment of the earned pension of the deceased member for a period of 12 years will be made at the present value using the prevailing Treasury Bill Rate as discount factor. · Where a member dies prior to satisfying the minimum contribution period of 180 months, in aggregate, 37.5% of the average of the best 3 years salary pension for the next 12 years will be paid at the present value based on the prevailing Treasury Bill Rate as discount factor. · Where a pensioner dies before attaining age 75, a one time payment based on the present value of his unexpired but not exceeding 12 years pension will be made to his beneficiaries. (b) How to Apply for Survivors’ Benefit Report the death of a member to the nearest SSNIT Branch Office with any two of the following evidences of Death including a letter from the employer. i) Death Certificate ii) Obituary/Poster iii) Burial Permit iv) Medical Certificate v) Letter from Employer where available vi) Funeral programme vii) Affidavit from Chief of Village or Town On receiving information of the death of a member, SSNIT will request the nominated dependant(s) to apply for the benefit. A dependant(s) may call at SSNIT Branch Office to collect, complete and submit an Application Form to which he will attach the following:
The compulsory pensionable age of 60 years was determined based on the country’s life expectancy. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 58 years and the trend indicates that it is increasing. Therefore medically there is no justification for reduction in the retiring age. Financially, a reduction in the compulsory retirement age is costly. The financial calculation of the scheme was based on 60 years. As a result, any reduction in the number of years to qualify for a benefit will increase the amount of money needed to fund the benefits. For instance at 20% interest rate, a reduction in 5 years will increase the cost of benefit three times. So, if at the current compulsory age it cost ¢3 billion, it will cost ¢9 billion to pay the same benefit over a specified period.
The SSNIT scheme is earnings related and generally members with higher salaries receive higher pensions or benefits for the dependants in the event of death of a deceased member. It is also important to note that a pension is a replacement of part of an income and therefore cannot be more than an income a member earned prior to retirement. Additionally, the SSNIT scheme has an inherent mechanism for reviewing pensions every year.
You do not need a Lawyer to claim a social security benefit. However, for the survivor’s benefit, where a deceased member did not provide for his spouse and children they may apply to the court for consideration for the distribution of his social security benefits in which case such interested parties may engage the services of a Lawyer at the court.

SSNITPAY

It’s an electronic platform that allows stakeholders to meet their financial obligations to SSNIT from the comfort of their homes. Ssnitpay is powered by Ghana.GOV.
Ssnitpay allows you to make payments using mobile money and bank cards such us debit cards.
To pay with Mobile Money, you can access the platform via web portal (portal.ssnit.org.gh); Mobile USSD (*711*9#) or walk into any of our branch offices.
To pay with debit card, you have to log on to our portal (portal.ssnit.org.gh) to access the platform.
You will need to provide card details that is - your name, number and Card Verification Value (CVV Code). The CVV Code is the three-digit number beside the signature column behind the debit card)
Use code *711*9# and follow the prompt.
There are no fees associated with the use of the platform.
Yes. The code is available on all mobile networks in Ghana.
No. There are no E-levy charges when paying via the snnitpay platform.
You will receive a payment notification from Ghana.GOV. Additionally, SSNIT will send you a notification with a system generated receipt number confirming the payment.

SSNIT & GhanaCard Numbers Merger

The SSNIT and NIA numbers merger is simply a process to link SSNIT numbers of Members to their NIA numbers. The NIA number is the Personal ID Number on the Ghana Card. What this means is that your NIA number will become your SSNIT number after the merger.
To merger your SSNIT and NIA numbers, you must have enrolled with SSNIT biometrically. You need your:

1. SSNIT number
2. NIA number (Personal ID Number on the Ghana Card)

However, if the mobile phone number and email address you use presently is different from what you have in the SSNIT database, you must provide your email address and mobile phone number.
1. USSD Code: *711*9#
2. Website: https://www.ssnit.org.gh/member/
3. Walk-in
Using the USSD (short code)

1. Dial *711*9# on your mobile phone
2. Select option 1
3. Enter your SSNIT Number
4. Enter your email address (if the phone number you are using is different from your phone number registered in our database)
5. Enter the Personal ID Number on your Ghana Card
6. Select option 1 to complete the merging of your SSNIT and the NIA numbers (Personal ID Number on your Ghana Card)
You will receive a notification after the merger.
1. Log onto the SSNIT website https://www.ssnit.org.gh and click the ‘My Statement’
2. Log in by filling the required fields and click Sign In.(Click on Get Access if you don’t have an account or click on Forgot Password if you have forgotten your password then sign in)
3. At the My Statement page, click on Merge my NIA Number.
4. Agree to the terms and conditions and click Submit and Continue.
5. Enter your NIA Number (Personal ID Number on the Ghana Card) and click Submit. You will receive a notification after the merger.
Such Members must visit the nearest SSNIT Branch to be assisted to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers. They need to bring along their:

1. Ghana Card or NIA Number
2. SSNIT Card or SSNIT number
3. Valid email address
4. Mobile phone number
To check the merger status of your SSNIT and NIA numbers, you have two options.

Using USSD shortcode To check the merger status of your SSNIT and NIA numbers,

1. Dial *711*9#
2. Select option 2 (Check Merger Status).
3. Enter your SSNIT or NIA number (Personal ID Number on the Ghana Card).
4. Click send.
Your status will be retrieved and forwarded to your email. Using the website

1. Visit the SSNIT website ssnit.org.gh
2. Click My Statement.
3. On the right side, under “Have you linked your Ghana Card? Check status here”, enter your SSNIT number to check your merger status.
4. Click “Check Status”.
5. A pop-up message to check your email will appear on your screen.
4. Check your email for your merger status.
1. Members will experience quite a bit of convenience as they will have to keep only one card to transact business with SSNIT. The Ghana Card will now be your SSNIT card.
2. It will also result in some savings as the cost of printing the SSNIT Biometric cards will be eliminated.
3. It is a legal requirement. Regulation 7of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, L.I. 2111, requires the use of the Ghana Card for “transactions pertaining to individuals in respect of pension” and “transactions that have social security implications”
4. It is also a directive from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA)

Act 766

The new National Pension Scheme was instituted by the National Pensions Act, Act 766 which ensures that every Ghanaian worker receives retirement benefits as and when due. The Act 766 which was passed on December 12th, 2008 mandated the establishment of a new contributory Three-Tier Pension Scheme with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to oversee the efficient administration of the composite pension scheme The New Pension Scheme was launched on 16th September, 2009 and its implementation started in January 2010.
To provide pension benefits to ensure retirement income security for workers. To ensure that every worker receives retirement benefit as and when due. To establish a uniform set of rules and standards for the administration, payment of retirement and related benefits for workers.
The First Tier is the Basic National Social Security Scheme for all workers in Ghana. It is a defined benefit scheme and mandatory for workers to have 13.5% contributions made on their behalf. The contribution is managed by SSNIT. The Second Tier is a defined contributory Occupational Pension Scheme mandatory for workers with 5% contribution made on behalf of members. The contribution is managed privately by approved Trustees. The Third Tier which includes all Provident Funds and all other Pension Funds outside Tiers I and II is a voluntary scheme.
Worker – 5.5% of workers’ basic salary Employer – 13% workers’ basic salary Total – 18.5% of workers’ basic salary
  • Out of the 18.5%, employer remits 13.5% to SSNIT within 14 days following the end of the month to the mandatory First-Tier Basic Social Security Scheme.
  • Again out of the 13.5% paid to SSNIT, 2.5% is sent to the NHIA for the member’s health insurance.
  • The residual 5% is sent to the mandatory Second Tier Occupational Scheme which will be privately managed by Trustees approved and licensed by the Board of NPRA.
The 3 –Tier scheme covers all workers in both the private and public sector.  It is optional for the self-employed. Additional Groups
  • Cap 30
  • Teachers’ Pension Ordinance
  • Superannuation of Ghana Universities Staff
  • Ghana Police
  • Immigration Service Persons
  • Prisons Service
  • National Fire Service
Officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces Categories of persons exempted by the 1992 Constitution. e.g. Electoral Commissioner, CHRAJ Commissioner, Chief Justice, etc.
  1. It is a 3-tier scheme.
  2. The first two are mandatory for all workers.
  3. The Third-Tier is a voluntary, fully-funded by members and a privately managed provident fund and personal pension scheme.
  4. SSNIT pays only the monthly pension of the beneficiary and the Fund Managers who manage the Second Tier with the 5% contribution rates will pay the lump sum.
  5. The Act is for both the public and private sector workers.
  6. Minimum contribution rate – 18.5% of the approved monthly minimum wage (13.5% – SSNIT 1st Tier; 5% – 2nd Tier).
  7. Maximum Contribution – a maximum amount will be determined by SSNIT in consultation with the NPRA periodically. Currently, the maximum contribution is on a salary of GH¢25,000.00.
  8. Minimum contribution period is 180 months in aggregate or 15 years.
  9. Entry age/Maximum Age – New minimum age is 15 years and the maximum age for a new entrant is 45 years.
  10. Age Exemption – those who were 55 years and above before the commencement of Act 766 were exempted from this new scheme. On the other hand, a person who is 55 years and above exempted from the Act may opt to join the scheme.
  11. The new scheme includes almost all the various pensions systems in the country.
There are four (4) types of benefit under the SSNIT scheme that members can enjoy depending on which contingency has occurred.
  • Superannuation Pension/ Old age Pension
  • Invalidity Pension
  • Survivor’s Lump sum.
  • Emigration benefit
nder the Superannuation Pension we have Old Age Pension and Reduced Pension. Old Age Pension Full Pension
    • Must be at least 60 years
    • Must have made a minimum of 180 months (15 yrs) aggregate contributions.
Reduced Pension
    • Must be 55 years and above, but below 60
    • Must have made a minimum of 180 months (15 years) aggregate contributions.
Basis for Calculation
    • Age
    • Average of best 36 months’ salary (wages /earnings)
    • Earned pension right (Contributions made)
Each year for the 1st 15 years of contribution is rated 2.5%.  The subsequent years attract a yearly rate of 1.125%.  The Pension right ranges from 37.5% – 60%.  

Pension Right Table

Years of Contribution 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Pension Right (%) 37.50 38.63 39.75 40.88 42.00 43.13 44.25 45.38 46.50 47.63 48.75
 
Years of Contribution 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 >34 35 36 & above
Pension Right (%) 49.88 51.00 52.13 53.25 54.38 55.50 56.63 57.75 58.88 60.00 60.00
Lump Sum Payment The  lump sum payment now falls under the Second Tier.
To qualify for invalidity pension, the member must have contributed for 12 months in aggregate within the last 36 months preceding the incidence of the invalidity. He/ She must have also been certified by a Medical Board as being incapable of any normal gainful employment due to a permanent physical or mental disability. The invalidity pension is paid monthly to such a person who has been confirmed and certified incapable of earning an income. Qualifying Conditions To qualify for invalidity pension:
  • You must have made a minimum of 12 months in aggregate within the last 36 months with the date of termination of appointment due to your invalidity as the reference point.
  • You must have been declared permanently invalid and incapable of any normal gainful employment:
  • By a qualified and recognized medical officer and
  • Certified by a Regional Medical Board on which a SSNIT Medical Officer is represented.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
  • Report to the nearest SSNIT Branch in person or through your representative with a Medical Report from a recognized Medical Practitioner certifying you are invalid.
  • You will be required to appear before a Medical Board for examination where your invalidity is certified by the Medical Board.
Survivor’s Lump Sum This is paid to dependants of members under the following:
  1. When a member dies before retirement or
  2. When a pensioner dies before age 75
Computation
  1. Where a member dies having made at least twelve (12) months contribution within the last 36 months prior to his death, a lump sum payment of the earned pension of the deceased member for a period of 15 years will be paid. This is based on the present value discounted at the prevailing Treasury Bill rate or 10%. Whichever is lower however, will be paid to the member’s nominated dependants.
  2. When the death of the member occurs before making the twelve (12) months contribution within the last 36 months a lump sum equal to his total contributions and interest at the rate of 75% of government Treasury bill rate, will be paid.
  1. Every worker who has an employer-employee relationship must be registered with the Scheme.
  2. Every worker should have only one (1) social security number.
  3. Use same social security number for your whole working life.
  4. The Social Security Number is not transferable.
  5. Change your dependants regularly; at least once every five (5) years.
  6. A member shall take steps to update or correct any missing or inaccurate information in the Statement of Account presented by SSNIT and support it with any relevant accurate document.
An employer is the owner of an establishment or the person who has the ultimate control over the affairs of an establishment and with whom the worker entered into a contract of service or apprenticeship and who is responsible for the payment of his salary.
  1. Ensure all employees are registered under the Scheme.
  2. Make regular contributions on behalf of the workers to SSNIT.
  3. Deduct 5.5% of the workers salary every month and add 13% of worker’s basic salary to make 18.5%.
  4. Out of the 18.5% the employer is to remit 13.5% to the Trust within 14 days of the ensuing month.
  5. 2.5% of the 13.5% paid by employer to SSNIT shall be transferred by the Trust to the National Health Insurance Authority.
  6. The employer shall accompany each contribution payment with a list of the workers indicating their social security numbers and the amount each worker is contributing – called the Contribution Report.
  7. Contribution reports must be submitted by the end of the month whether contributions are remitted to the Trust or not.
  8. Penalty of 3% per month shall be imposed on unpaid contribution.  Additional penalty of 3% per month on the contributions plus penalty may be imposed if after written demand notice the employer fails to pay.
No. The Act stipulates that minimum contributions must be made on the approved monthly minimum wage. The maximum contribution to the Trust shall not exceed 13.5% of a maximum amount to be determined by the Trust periodically in consultation with the NPRA.
Pension is a fixed sum paid regularly to a person, typically following retirement from service. It is a regular payment made during a person’s retirement from an investment fund to which that person or the employer has contributed. Pension is a type of retirement plan, usually tax exempt, wherein an employer makes contributions toward a pool of funds set aside for employees’ future benefit. The pool of funds is then invested on the employees’ behalf, allowing an employee to receive benefits upon retirement or disability.
  1. The National Pensions Regulatory Authority was established by Act 766 to regulate and monitor the operations of the three –tier scheme to ensure effective Administration.
  2. It has the capacity to sue and be sued and has perpetual succession.
  3. It also issues guidelines for investment of Pension Funds and ensures compliance with Act 766.
  4. Register Occupational, Provident Funds and Personal Pension Schemes.
  5. Set up standards, rules and guidelines for the management of Pension Funds.
A trust, in its simplest form, is an arrangement under which assets are held and looked after on behalf of others called beneficiaries. In other words, it is a legal arrangement distinct from the plan sponsor where the contributions for the assets are deposited with the Trustee.
A trustee is a person who holds and looks after pension assets for the benefit of members and their dependants. Although assets are held in the name of the trustees, they do not belong to them.
Pensioner’s Certificate is a certificate produced by a trusted entity or pensioner to confirm that the pensioner is still alive. At SSNIT, Pensioner’s Certificates are completed by pensioner’s aged 75 years and above and renewed every year to confirm that the pensioner is still alive.
You can update the following:
  1. Your beneficiary nominations.
  2. Your name.
  3. You can replace misplaced membership card (Smart Card).
  4. Your employer/SSNIT can update your financial statement after vetting by SSNIT
  5. You can update your postal address, telephone number and email.

Students Loan

The Students’ Loan Scheme was a financial arrangement under which Ghanaian Students enrolled and pursuing approved courses in tertiary institutions in Ghana are granted loans to assist with the financing of their education.
Essentially, the loan was meant to supplement the students own private resources, such as the financial support parents/guardians already give them. The loan level to be granted in each academic year was determined by Government in consultation with Tertiary Students’ Representatives and SSNIT.
SSNIT has since 2006/2007 academic year stopped granting loans to students. This responsibility has been taken over by the Students Loan Trust Fund which is a separate Organization from SSNIT. You may reach the Students Loan Trust Fund on their website: www.sltf.gov.gh.
SSNIT will check if the student has contributions and use it to offset the loan. However, where the student does not have contributions, the Pensioner will have to pay off his portion of the loan.
As soon as you are in a position to do so after completion of your course of study, i.e. when you are gainfully employed. However, when you fail to pay back the loan, SSNIT is authorized by law to deduct the loan from your contributions. Where the loan beneficiary is employed by a non-contributory organisation, the employer is also enjoined by the Student Loan Law to deduct the loan and pay same to SSNIT within fifteen (15) days after deduction.
If you took the loan before 2006, you can offset the loan using your SSNIT contributions or pay in cash. You can also pay in three (3) instalments in two years or you can pay the bulk amount at a go.
The options for repayment are:
  1. a) Cash – outright or installment (if by installment, you pay a third at a time)
  2. b) Use of Social Security contributions.
  3. c) Deductions from the guarantor(‘s’) benefit.
The student loan attracts a compound interest rate based on the prevailing Treasury Bill rate. The student borrower pays 10% and the Government of Ghana pays the difference between the 10% and the prevailing Treasury bill rate. The student borrower’s portion of the interest rate of 10% is calculated and spread over twelve months. Therefore, your loan balance given to you on 31st August 2022 is your loan balance as at 31st July 2022 and will increase if you come to pay in September, 2022. This is because August 2022 interest will be added to give you your new/current loan balance as at August, 2022.
Yes! Through the Ghana International Bank/London, U.K using the following details:   Ghana International Bank, 1st Floor, 10 Old Broad Street, EC2N IDW, UK. Email: customer.services@ghanabank.co.uk        www.ghanaban.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 7653 0350 or 0845 6058 004 Fax: +44 (0) 207248 2929   ACCOUNT DETAILS: In the UK: IBAN GB07GHIB70061301483704 SORT CODE 70-06-13 SWIFT: GHIBGB21L GBP ACCOUINT NO. 01483704   In the USA, you may pay/wire/transfer to: J P Morgan Chase IBAN GB77 GHIB 7006 1301 4837 05 SWIFT CODECHA S US33 FEDWIRE: No. 021000021 ACCOUNT NAME: GHANA INTERNATIONAL BANK SSNIT ACCOUNT NO. 01483705
SSNIT as Administrator of a Pension Fund sustains the payment of pension and the other benefits by investing all monies contributed into the Pension Fund. The Trust’s contribution towards the Students Loan Scheme was purposely to invest some of its fund to generate interest for the payments of benefits to its members. Therefore, the moment the cheque for the initial installment is sent to the student’s bank, interest starts to accrue using the date the bank received the cheque.
The office is located at Asylum Down, near High Gate Hotel. Hse # 47, 3rd Crescent Asylum down – Accra Phone: +233(0)302231886 Fax: +233(0)302231873 Email: info@sltf.gov.gh Website: http://www.sltf.gov.gh WhatsApp: +233(0)504021579/0302 231886/0302 231887

Pensions Glossary

Accrual rate:

The rate at which pension entitlement is built up relative to earnings per year of service in earnings-related schemes -for example, one-sixtieth of final salary.

Actuary:

The person or entity whose main responsibility is to evaluate present and future pension liabilities in order to determine the financial solvency of the pension plan, following recognized actuarial and accounting methods.

Annuity:

A financial arrangement that pays stream of regular payments at a specified rate, which may have some provision for inflation-proofing, payable until some contingency occurs, usually the death of the beneficiary or a surviving dependent.

Annuity factor:

The present value of a stream of pension of 1 Ghana cedi per period for a specified number of periods at a fixed interest rate.

Annuity rate:

The value of the annuity payment relative to its lump-sum cost.

Average effective retirement age:

The actual average retirement age, taking into account early retirement and special regimes.

Beneficiary or Pensioner:

An individual who is receiving a benefit (including the plan member and dependants).

Benefit or Pension:

Payment made to a pension fund member (or dependants) after a contingency.

Benefit rate or replacement rate:

The ratio of the average pension to the average wage, which could be expressed as relative to the economy wide average wage or to the individual’s specific average or final wage.

Ceiling:

A limit on the amount of earnings subject to contributions

Contribution rate:

The amount (typically expressed as a percentage of the gross/ Basic wage) that is needed to be paid into the pension system periodically.

Defined benefit:

A pension plan with a guarantee by the insurer or pension agency that a benefit based on a prescribed formula will be paid.

Defined contribution:

A pension plan in which the periodic contribution is prescribed and the benefit depends on the contribution plus the investment return.

Demographic transition:

The historical process of changing demographic structure that takes place as fertility and mortality rates decline, resulting in an increasing ratio of older to younger persons.

Discretionary increase:

An increase in a pension payment not specified by the pension scheme rules.

Early retirement:

Retirement before reaching the legal (statutory) retirement age.

Earnings cap (ceiling):

A limit on the amount of earnings subject to contributions.

Full funding:

The accumulation of pension reserves that total 100 percent of the present value of all pension liabilities owed to current members.

Funding:

accumulation of assets in advance to meet future pension liabilities.

Implicit pension debt:

The present value of pension payments streams to contributors( future pensioners), and current pensioners

Indexation (uprating):

Increases in benefits by reference to an index, usually of wages, although in some cases of average earnings.

Intergenerational distribution:

Income transfers between different age cohorts of persons.

Intragenerational:

distribution. Income transfers within a certain age cohort of persons.

Mandatory retirement age:

A specific age where retirement is mandatory.

Marginal pension:

The change in the accrued pension between two periods.

Means-tested benefit:

A benefit that is paid only if the recipient’s income falls below a certain level.

Minimum pension guarantee:

A guarantee provided by the government to bring pensions to some minimum level, possibly by “topping up” the capital accumulation needed to fund the pensions.

Nonfinancial (or notional) defined-benefit (plan):

A defined-benefit pension plan that is unfunded (except for a potential reserve fund).

Nonfinancial (or notional) defined-contribution (plan):

A defined-benefit pension plan that mimics the structure of (funded) defined-contribution plans but remains unfunded (With pay-as-you-go financing structure)

Normal retirement age:

The usual age at which employees become eligible for occupational pension benefits, excluding early-retirement provisions.

Notional (or nonfinancial) accounts:

Individual accounts where the notional contributions plus interest rates accrued are credited and determine the notional capital (that is, the liability to society).

Notional (or nonfinancial) capital:

The value of an individual account at a given moment that determines the value of annuity at retirement or the transfer value in case of mobility to another scheme or country.

Notional or nonfinancial interest rate:

The rate at which the notional accounts of notional defined-contribution plans are annually credited. It should be consistent with the financial sustainability of the unfunded scheme (potentially the growth rate of the contribution base).

Occupational pension scheme:

An arrangement by which an employer provides retirement benefits to employees.

Old-age dependency ratio:

The ratio of older persons to working-age individuals. The old-age dependency ratio may refer to the number of persons over 60 divided by, for example, the number of persons ages 15-59, the number of persons over 60 divided by the number of persons ages 20-59, and so forth.

Pay-as-you-go:

In its strictest sense, a method of financing whereby current outlays on pension benefits are paid out of current revenues from an earmarked tax, often a payroll tax or contributions.

Pension coverage rate:

The number of workers actively contributing to a publicly mandated contributory or retirement scheme, divided by the estimated labor force or by the working-age population.

Pension lump sum:

A cash withdrawal from a pension plan, which in the case of some occupational pension schemes is provided in addition to an annuity. Also available from personal pension plans.

Pension spending:

Usually defined as old-age retirement, survivor, death, and invalidity-disability payments based on past contribution records plus noncontributory, flat universal, or means-tested programs specifically targeting the old.

Pensionable earnings:

The portion of remuneration on which pension benefits and contributions are calculated.

Portability:

The ability to transfer accrued pension rights between plans.

Provident fund:

A fully funded, defined-contribution scheme in which funds are managed by the public sector.

Replacement rate:

The value of a pension as a proportion of a worker’s wage during a base period, such as the last year or two before retirement or more, or the entire lifetime average wage. Also denotes the average pension of a group of pensioners as a proportion of the average wage of the group.

Statutory or legal retirement age:

The age at which men and women are permitted to start their pensions without meeting special pre-conditions or taking a reduced benefit. This is the normal retirement age written into pension statutes.

Support ratio:

The opposite of the system dependency ratio: the number of workers required to support each pensioner.

Survivors:

Dependants of the deceased pensioners who are entitled to receive benefits (widows, widowers, children and others)

System dependency ratio:

The ratio of persons receiving pensions from a certain pension scheme divided by the number of workers contributing to the same scheme in the same period.

System maturation:

The process by which a pension system moves from being immature, with young workers contributing to the system, but with few benefits being paid out since the initial elderly have not contributed and thus are not eligible for benefits, to being mature, with the proportion of elderly receiving pensions relatively equivalent to their proportion of the population.

Unfunded Liability:

The amount by which a pension plan’s payment obligations, including future benefits of members, exceed the present value of funds available to pay these obligations.

Universal flat benefit:

Pensions paid solely on the basis of age and citizenship, without regard to work or contribution records.

Valorization of earnings:

A method of revaluing earnings by predetermined factors such as total or average wage growth to adjust for changes in prices, wage levels, or economic growth. In pay-as-you-go systems, pensions are usually based on some percentage of average wage. This average wage is calculated over some period of time, ranging from full-career average to last salary. If the period for which earnings history enters into the benefit formula is longer than the last salary, the actual wages earned are usually revalued to adjust for these types of changes.

Vesting period:

The minimum amount of time required to qualify for full and irrevocable ownership of pension benefits.