The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), in consultation with the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), has approved a 10 per cent pension indexation for 2026, with a strong focus on improving benefits for low-income pensioners.
The decision, taken in line with Section 80 of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766), prioritises cushioning pensioners at the lower end of the scale while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Scheme.
Under the 2026 indexation, the minimum monthly pension for new pensioners has been increased from GH¢300 to GH¢400. Existing pensioners on the minimum pension of GH¢300 will receive GH¢409.56 per month after the application of indexation and redistribution. This translates into a 36.52 per cent increase for pensioners on the minimum pension.
SSNIT explained that the overall 10 per cent adjustment will be implemented through a fixed increase of six per cent for all pensioners, complemented by a redistributed flat amount of GH¢91.56 funded from the remaining four per cent. This redistribution mechanism is designed to reduce income disparities and ensure that low-earning pensioners receive meaningful increases, in line with the solidarity principle underpinning social security.
According to SSNIT, key factors considered in determining the 2026 indexation include salary growth among active contributors, projected average inflation of 8 ± 2 per cent by the end of 2025, and the impact of the adjustment on the Fund’s long-term sustainability.
The Trust noted that while higher-earning pensioners will receive increases closer to the general indexation rate, lower-income pensioners will benefit from significantly higher effective increases due to the strengthened minimum pension floor and redistribution. As a result, the highest-earning SSNIT pensioner, who received GH¢201,792.37 as at December 31, 2025, will receive GH¢213,991.47 per month in 2026.
SSNIT reaffirmed its statutory responsibility to periodically adjust pensions to help preserve their real value amid changing economic conditions, while safeguarding the Scheme for future generations. The Trust also reminded pensioners that pension payments are made on the third Thursday of every month.
