A group called the Concerned SSNIT Pensioners Forum (CSPF) has expressed discontent over the 10% overall indexation rate for 2026 pensions.

In a heavily worded statement, CSPF acknowledged SSNIT’s increase but stated that it barely caters for the basic needs of pensioners, with growing medical bills as they age, among others.

It stressed that “the annual percentage increase has become meaningless without a guaranteed minimum living pension.”

CSPF also stated that, despite the annual increase, “it fails to meet the specific vulnerabilities of the aged, as many pensioners still cannot afford food, medicine, or basic healthcare. The annual increments are detached from the lived reality of pensioners. The current debate, focused on percentage adjustments, overlooks the fundamental question of whether pension income can cover basic survival needs.”

The forum mentioned that it had earlier engaged SSNIT to urgently raise the minimum pension and review what it says are unfair annual pension adjustments; a petition which SSNIT agreed to, hence its surprised at their last increase. It said it requested that the minimum pension payment be pegged at GHC 600.

"In our petition, we requested SSNIT to ensure that the level of the 2026 adjustment pensions, aimed at restoring part of the significant erosion in the value of SSNIT pensions due to consistent annual adjustments being far below inflation and national minimum wage, by raising the minimum monthly pension to GHC600 and granting an average increase of 15-20% in pensions. We stated that the 2025 monthly minimum pension payment of GHC396.58 was woefully inadequate to even cover medication for pensioners receiving this amount, and that these pensioners have become a burden on others for their sustenance."

Consequently, they recommended the enforcement of a national minimum pension policy, just as Ghana has for the minimum wage.

“We believe that just as Ghana enforces a national minimum wage policy, the country must adopt a national minimum pension policy that ensures retirees can survive with dignity,” parts of the statement read.

CSPF therefore called for what they described as an inclusive stakeholders’ meeting to seek redress and ensure a better livelihood for pensioners.

“An urgent, inclusive national dialogue involving SSNIT, policymakers, organised labour, pensioner associations, economic planners, and civil society is needed to establish a sustainable, livable pension framework and set a realistic minimum pension benchmark. Without this fundamental policy shift, the dignity and well-being of Ghana’s retirees will remain under threat, especially as healthcare costs continue to rise with age,” the statement continued.

While it looks forward to the stakeholders’ meeting, the pensioners noted that “we will continue to engage with SSNIT and relevant ministries and institutions to seek pension justice, equity, and policies that ensure a dignified life for all pensioners in Ghana.”

This comes after the nation’s pension authority announced an approved 10% increase, citing that the biggest gains will be going to those on the lowest pensions.

Speaking during a press conference in Accra, SSNIT’s Chief Actuary, Evelyn Adjei, highlighted that “SSNIT has also raised the minimum monthly pension for new retirees from GH¢300.00 to GH¢400.00, reinforcing the pension floor across the scheme.”

She explained that in determining the 2026 indexation, factors such as salary growth among active contributors, projected inflation of 8 ± 2 per cent by the end of 2025, and the long-term sustainability of the fund were carefully considered.

Every pensioner will automatically get a 6 per cent increase. The remaining 4 per cent will not be shared equally; instead, it will be used to give extra support to pensioners who currently receive lower amounts.

While higher-income pensioners will see increases closer to the full 10 per cent, Ms Adjei noted that lower-income retirees are expected to benefit most from the flat redistribution and the strengthened minimum pension.

Additionally, a new pensioner certificate renewal policy will be implemented from April 2026.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) announced in a statement that the revised policy will introduce mandatory annual pensioner certificate renewal for all pensioners.

“Instructively, once an individual retires, whether at the compulsory retirement age of 60 or the voluntary age of 55, the pensioner must renew their Pensioner Certificate every year during their birth month to guarantee continuous payment of their pensions,” SSNIT added.