Loyalty discount programmes in the offing for SSNIT pensioners: Welcome news
It was as far back as 2008 that I decided to call it quits with regular jobs and consequently took an early pension.
The daily commuting from one end of Accra to Tema, where my office was and back late at night was taking a toll on me.
The reckless driving and human crossing of the busy motorway, resulting in regular accidents, were too disturbing.
Eighteen years on, I have never regretted my decision, having put my health and safety first and also knowing that my Social Security pension was going to take care of me every month, despite the lower pension for early retirement.
After all, I had the energy, strength and experience to balance it with consultancy work.
Today, in the wake of the hue and cry from some cocoa farmers, with the slash in cocoa prices, pensioners on the SSNIT scheme have a cause to smile, not on pension increments but other welfare support — a progressive welfare initiative which the Trust says they are intending to introduce.
Welfare packages
According to the Director General (DG) of SSNIT, Mr Kwesi Afreh Biney, the current management has plans to introduce some welfare packages that will enhance the status of pensioners across the country beyond monthly pensions.
During an engagement with pensioners in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, recently, the Director General (DG) broached the topic of value addition preferential rates at some facilities, which they thought would be of benefit to pensioners on the scheme.
The DG hinted that discussions with the relevant service providers had reached an advanced stage to ensure the seamless operationalisation of the initiative.
Truth be told, for the 18 years since joining the scheme, SSNIT has never disappointed with its timely monthly payments of benefits.
For that reason alone, one can confidently say that the progressive welfare initiative being promised by the Scheme is achievable; it is only a matter of time.
The welfare of any worker who for twenty years or more has contributed in terms of consistent monthly deductions to help build the nation should be a matter of priority to managers of a pension scheme.
At the top of one’s mind, one could suggest a few doable welfare programmes that could enhance the lives of once active workers who now find themselves confined to their homes.
Programmes
Welfare programmes such as gymnasiums cannot be overemphasised. Doctors advise that exercises and a few body movements that build muscles and condition the joints and the heart are good for the aged.
Already, SSNIT has a well-equipped public gymnasium in Accra, which could be put at the service of its willing pensioners on specific days once or twice a month.
Similar fitness centres could be built in other parts of the country, with open access to its pensioners who would want to inculcate exercises as part of their regular routines, whether for free or at subsidised rates.
Not only that, SSNIT can invest in day care centres with eateries and other activities and where pensioners can pay at subsidised rates to spend quality time out of the house and bond with like minds.
Such centres could have additional facilities such as indoor and outdoor games, health clinics and occasionally arranged talks on health and wellness.
Indeed, there are already existing private facilities around the country which SSNIT can also partner with and put those facilities to the benefit of its pensioners at subsidised rates.
Good news
It is good news that SSNIT has clinics scattered around.
Such clinics should be able to give quality care, including annual health checks, to their pensioners at subsidised rates.
That way, annual check-ups become encouraged, especially in pensioners who might think the cost is beyond them.
Thankfully, ours, to some degree, is a society where children and grandchildren would like to support their parents and grandparents to enjoy a quality of life as they concentrate on their busy work schedules.
One should not underestimate the support that adult children, home and abroad, would like to readily give to their aged parents if the facilities existed.
Many would channel the regular foreign remittances they send home directly to such facilities if and only if they would be used justifiably as intended.
One would want to believe that the managers of SSNIT would not run out of ideas if they are well-intended to add to and extend welfare programmes to support their pensioners to live well.
Nothing ventured, they say, is nothing gained.
We should all throw our weight behind the laudable welfare programmes the current managers of the scheme are intending.
What a way to enjoy the direct benefits of one’s toils.
Indeed, such welfare programmes, in addition to monthly payments, should encourage those outside the scheme to join.
For those who do not want to see their health in old age taken care of, especially if it is coming as part of their active life contributions.
Kudos to SSNIT for thinking out of the box for the benefit of its contributors.
May they never run out of ideas.
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