Ms. Emefa Agonyo, the Public Affairs Officer of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), has encouraged the members of SSNIT to regularly update their beneficiary list to prevent any misunderstandings in case of death.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, the SSNIT Public Affairs Officer bemoaned the situation where some members of the scheme still have their deceased relatives on their beneficiary list. She thus, noted that confusion normally ensues in case of death of the SSNIT contributor.
“Some people still have their deceased parents’ on their form as their beneficiaries, while others have other people other than their spouses or children. This is unhelpful and tend to create problems when the contributor passes on.”
Ms. Emefa Agonyo
Ms Agonyo indicated that the problem with SSNIT contributors not updating their records is the unwarranted litigation which sometimes end up in court. This, she noted could be avoided by simply updating the beneficiary document.
“It would sometimes end up in court and sometimes, the spouse and children would show up only to be told that their auntie or uncle or dead grandparents were the legitimate beneficiaries on the registration form.”
Ms. Emefa Agonyo
The Public Affairs Officer explained in a case when a contributor did not update his/her beneficiary list before passing on, “the position of the law is that only the children which are less than 18 years must be given the benefit.”
Ms Agonyo added that where the deceased had children outside marriage, and an investigation established this fact, SSNIT will pay 60 percent of the benefit package to those children under the age of 18 years.
In his speech, the Director-General, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, noted that the forum creates the platform for SSNIT to account for its stewardship of workers contributions, provide clarity on social security issues and enhance the excellent working relationship between the Trust and its valued partners.
“As an institution, we proudly acknowledge you, our Compliant Employers for their exemplary response to their legal obligations imposed on them by the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766)”.
Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang
Employers Must Dutifully Pay Employees Contribution
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang used the opportunity to renew his call for employers to dutifully, voluntarily, and consistently pay SSNIT contributions to the Trust on behalf of their employees. He stressed that it is important for employers to know and appreciate the value of the social security contributions.
The Director-General urged employers not to see the payment of Social Security as a response to the demands of the law but as a contribution to the economic wellbeing and the future of their workers.
“When employees know that the employer cares about them, it enhances their commitment, loyalty, boosts morale, and improves productivity.”
Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang intimated that the Trust has now shifted focus from enforcing compliance to building a close relationship with employers, leading to voluntary compliance. He indicated that the Trust has recognised that one effective way to build the relationship is to introduce SSNIT Compliance Officers to function as Relationship Officers.
“The Compliance Officers are your go-to persons in matters relating to the operations of the Scheme. The Compliance Officers will assist employers in registering newly engaged employees, facilitating the processing of Contribution Reports, and reminding employers of their payment schedules to avoid penalties”.
Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang
Stakeholders however, charged SSNIT to up its education to help contributors to have a better understanding of some important issues relating to the Trust.
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