The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is set to introduce a new welfare package for pensioners as part of efforts to enhance their quality of life beyond the regular payment of monthly pensions.
The package dubbed: “Loyalty Programme” would enable pensioners to enjoy discounts at selected hotels, retail shops, and other partner facilities across the country.
Mr Kwesi Afreh Biney, Director-General of SSNIT, announced this during an engagement with pensioners in Tamale.
He said the initiative was designed to provide additional value to pensioners in appreciation of their years of service and contribution to national development.
He said, “By simply being a SSNIT pensioner, you receive preferential rates. It is our way of saying thank you as we seek to improve the value proposition of the Scheme.”
He explained that although the loyalty programme fell outside SSNIT’s core mandate, it was intended to complement existing pension benefits and improve the welfare of retirees.
Mr Biney said discussions with relevant stakeholders were at an advanced stage to ensure the seamless operationalisation of the programme nationwide.
He said over the years, SSNIT had maintained the regular payment of monthly pensions and facilitated healthcare support initiatives through the Pensioners Medical Scheme under the National Pensioners Association.
He emphasised that more could be done to strengthen the welfare of pensioners.
Mr Biney disclosed that beyond the loyalty programme, plans were underway to introduce telemedicine services to enable pensioners to consult medical professionals remotely through telephone and digital platforms.
He said the telemedicine initiative would expand access to healthcare services, especially pensioners living in remote communities.
He assured pensioners and contributors that their investments with SSNIT were safe, adding, measures were being put in place to ensure contributors benefited fully from their savings upon retirement.
Mr Issah Yahaya, Northern Regional Chairman of the National Pensioners Association welcomed the new initiatives and described them as timely interventions to ease the burden on pensioners.
He said they would help reduce financial pressure, improve access to healthcare, and enhance the overall quality of life of retirees.
Mr Yahaya commended SSNIT for consistently paying monthly pensions since the early 1990s and urged the public to support the Scheme.
He encouraged the youth to begin contributing early towards securing a dignified retirement and cautioned against misinformation that could undermine confidence in the pension fund.
GNA