The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has announced a 13% increase in the maximum insurable earnings for contributors under its scheme, effective 1 January 2026.

The maximum insurable earnings represent the highest level of salary on which SSNIT contributions (social security deductions) are calculated.

This was stated in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, following consultation with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), which has raised the ceiling from GHS 61,000 to GHS 69,000, representing a significant adjustment for employers and workers on higher incomes.

According to SSNIT, “the upward adjustment is in accordance with Section 63(3) of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766).”

The Act mandates that the maximum and minimum contributions payable under the SSNIT scheme must be reviewed annually by the Board of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), in consultation with the Minister of Finance, to reflect changes in salaries and prevailing economic conditions.

Consequently, “Effective 1 January 2026, the maximum contribution payable to SSNIT will be GHS 9,315.00.” This will affect contributors whose earnings meet or exceed the new insurable limit.

SSNIT has urged employers and members of the scheme impacted by the change to take note of the revised ceiling and ensure that the correct pension contributions are paid from the effective date.

The adjustment is expected to enhance long-term pension benefits for contributors while increasing inflows into the national pension scheme.

This increase comes after the national pension fund approved a 10% increase in the overall pensions, with the biggest gains going to those on the lowest pensions

Speaking during a press conference in Accra, SSNIT’s Chief Actuary, Evelyn Adjei, highlighted, “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.

However, the 10% overall indexation rate sparked discontent from a group called Concerned SSNIT Pensioners Forum (CSPF).

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.”

Also, 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 in a statement.

The new policy is designed to enhance the integrity of the SSNIT Pension Scheme by ensuring that pension payments go only to living and eligible beneficiaries.

It explained that pensioners may renew their certificates through several channels, including the SSNIT Mobile App using facial verification for both resident and non-resident pensioners, the SSNIT Virtual Branch, and SSNIT partner banks through their co-location points.

The state pension trust added that all SSNIT branches nationwide will assist in promoting accessibility and inclusion.

It further indicated that arrangements have been made for pensioners with mobility challenges to undergo verification at home. Pensioners may also contact the SSNIT Contact Centre or book a home visit to complete their pensioner certificate renewal.

“Pensioners will receive reminders at least one month before their birth month via SMS, email or other approved communication channels,” it stated.

In a related development, in October, SSNIT announced that it had made a payment of about five billion Ghana Cedis (GH¢5 billion) in pensions this year.

SSNIT, Ghana’s statutory public trust responsible for administering the country’s basic national pension scheme, mostly make payments on the 20th of every month.

The payment was confirmed by the Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Kwesi Afreh Biney, during an appearance on Citi TV’s Breakfast show on Thursday, October 30.

He made these remarks in response to affirming the viability, capacity and commitment of the scheme to meet its obligations.