The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has approved a 10 per cent increase in pension payments for 2026, bringing relief to pensioners across the country.
The adjustment, approved in consultation with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), consists of a 6 per cent fixed increase for all pensioners, with the remaining 4 per cent redistributed to favour pensioners on the lower end of the pension scale. This approach ensures more equitable benefits, with lower-income pensioners receiving higher effective increases.
As a result, pensioners currently receiving the minimum monthly pension of GH¢300.00 will see their payments rise to GH¢409.56 in 2026—a 36.52 per cent increase, far exceeding the general indexation rate.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, SSNIT’s Chief Actuary, Evelyn Adjei, announced an additional policy improvement, stating:
“SSNIT has also increased the minimum monthly pension for new pensioners from GH¢300.00 to GH¢400.00, strengthening the pension floor across the scheme.”
She explained that several factors informed the 2026 indexation rate, including salary growth among active contributors, projected inflation of 8 ± 2 per cent by the end of 2025, and the long-term sustainability of the pension fund.
While pensioners receiving higher benefits are expected to see increases closer to the overall 10 per cent rate, SSNIT emphasised that lower-income pensioners stand to gain the most, due to the redistribution mechanism and the enhanced minimum pension threshold.
The move underscores SSNIT’s commitment to protecting vulnerable pensioners while maintaining the financial health of the national pension scheme.
