Former President John Mahama has explained why the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will amend the National Pension Act.
The flagbearer of NDC speaking at an engagement with professionals from the various sectors of the economy in Accra on Monday said if he is given the nod in the December polls, he will amend the National Pensions Act, to allow workers who have contributed to SSNIT for over 10 years to collateralize their contributions for mortgage loans.
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“We plan to amend the National Pension Act 2008, Act 766 to allow workers who lose their jobs suddenly to be able to be paid a stipend while they search for new opportunities. Also, workers who have contributed between 10 and 15 years will be allowed to use their contributions as collateral to access mortgage loans in order to have a place to lay their heads.â€
The former President’s promise follows the Minority’s call for the law governing SSNIT to be amended to allow contributors draw on their pensions during difficult times of COVID-19.
The Minority in Parliament has argued that allowing contributors to withdraw bits of their contribution during these moments will mitigate their plight.
John Dramani Mahama earlier made a similar proposal which was rejected by SSNIT.
Already, Parliament has amended the Income Tax Act 2015 to exempt withdrawals from third-tier provident funds and personal pension schemes from tax.
This is to allow pensioners affected by the coronavirus to be financially assisted.