Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, wants a thorough discussion on the Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. John Ofori- Tenkorang’s, proposal on retirement age.
He said that Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang’s idea has sparked a discussion that stakeholders must consider.
The SSNIT boss has urged for expanded discussions with the government and labor organizations on the possibility of raising the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang said “After 75 years, we’ll continue to pay you until the good Lord calls you home. So in theory, SSNIT can be paying till you are 101 years. The liability that SSNIT takes on can increase enormously as long as people are living longer.”
He believes that advances in medical technology are extending people’s lives, adding that “people are becoming health conscious and taking care of themselves, and people are living longer.”
Mr Iddrisu, a former Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, stated on the New Day program on TV3 on Tuesday, January 25, “He has provoked a debate, I think we should look at it but just as.”
“You must look at your longevity as a county, your age. In Ghana today, you people enjoy contract.”
He also stated that certain pensioners getting Second Tier pensions are receiving less than what is owed to them at the time.
He viewed it as a troubling scenario that needed to be handled right now.
The second tier is a defined contributory Occupational Pension Scheme that is required for employees, with a 5% payment made on their behalf. The donation is administered privately by Trustees who have been authorized.
According to Mr. Iddrisu, the situation in which seniors get less than they deserve is pushing them into early graves.
“As a media practitioner take interest in pension. I am getting very disturbing reports that Ghanaians who have retired under Act 766, the Second Tier pensions are receiving less than they would have earned if they were on their original pensions.
“This is information I have, accurate.
“ACT 766, because we want to please Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prison Service, we need to review it.
“In 2015, I had to come to Parliament as Minister responsible for Pensions to amend the Pensions Act to give SSNIT some space of five years to prepare for the lump sum and other matters.
“I am worried about it because how much were you already earning that you are now earning less in pensions., you are retiring them to death.”
Read Also: Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal jointly establishing COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant
SOURCE: 3NEWS
