Public Affairs Manager of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), has encouraged formal sector workers to ensure that employers pay their full contributions to the Trust.

Charles Akwesi Garshong revealed that in cases where some workers receive allowances that are separate from their salaries, some employers contribute based on the employee’s actual salary.

“So it is up to you to ensure that your employer is paying contributions on your full earnings, because the higher the income on which contributions are paid, the better your pension”, he indicated on Wednesday.

Speaking on Prime Morning, he said the practice might look appealing to the worker but affect their pension payments in the long run.

Affairs Manager, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Charles Akwesi Garshong

“Because the employer is also looking at it that if I add it to your salaries, the responsibility I have by topping up the contribution you make will increase…”

“For employer-employee relationship this is what happens, workers pay a portion and employers will have to top up so if they declare that salary, they feel like oh why don’t I reduce it so that you have huge allowances, you feel you’re okay but at the end of the day he’s only avoiding his responsibilities”, Mr Garshong said.

Mr. Garshong advised individuals in the informal sector to also contribute to SSNIT because of its benefits.

He noted that self-employed persons who do not have fixed salaries can decide willingly on how much they can contribute and discuss with SSNIT, provided it meets the minimum amount.