'Side-chicks', boyfriends cannot be pension beneficiaries - SSNIT clarifies

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has clarified that employees or members of the Trust cannot use or register their “boyfriend or girlfriend” as a pension beneficiary.

Instead, members can only nominate blood relations to benefit from the Trust.

Frank Molbila, General Manager in charge of Benefits, gave the information while speaking at a regional forum organised by SSNIT in collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Sunyani on Monday.

The forum, themed “Empowering Unions, Secure Futures: Deepening Pension Literacy Across Ghana,” is part of a nationwide engagement aimed at improving pension literacy among workers and strengthening collaboration between SSNIT and organised labour.

Describing the value of the SSNIT pension as superior to any other investment, Molbila said, “With the SSNIT pension, the longer you live, the longer you benefit.”

He urged every worker to register and join the Trust.

Molbila highlighted the scheme’s benefits and advised workers to plan their retirement, noting that the Trust remained generous and essential for long-term financial security.

He stated that SSNIT paid a total of GH¢6.77 billion in pension benefits in 2025, with projections to reach about GH¢8.21 billion by the end of 2026.

Molbila noted that the oldest pensioner was 107 years old, and that the Trust is mandated to continue payments until the beneficiary dies.

He added that the highest pensioner earned GH¢213,000 per month, while the lowest received about GH¢400.

On invalidity pensions, Molbila said the highest invalidity pension earned GH¢19,923 per month, with the pensioner aged 86 and having been on the payroll for 36 years.

He explained that the invalidity pension is a monthly payment for members with permanent physical or mental disabilities that render them incapable of working, noting that the scheme has been in place for 32 years.

In 2025, the Trust paid GH¢40.8 million in invalidity pensions, and members were advised to update their records, especially regarding beneficiaries.