Pensioners on the Social Security National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) pension scheme will now receive an increased benefit of 18%.

The recent increase is 2% lower than that of 2016. Explaining the rationale behind the low increase as compared to 2016, the Corporate Affairs Manager of SSNIT, Eva Amegashie said they have increase is done by a fixed rate of 15% plus an additional flat amount of GHc17.41 per pensioner.

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“On the whole, there has been an 18% increment for 2017. There is a fixed rate of 15% which everybody is going to collect of whatever salary you are earning plus GHc 17.41 and this will equal the 18% increment.”

She explained in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM that all fresh pensioners from January 2017 will receive a minimum monthly pension benefit of GHc276.00.

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Meanwhile, she urged all pensioners who have not yet re-registered for their biometric smart cards to do so by 28th February 2017.

In a statement released by SSNIT, it said all unregistered pensions will have their pension payment delayed if they do not re- register for their smart cards.

Amegashie said the Biometric cards “help us to know those on the pension scheme and you can even use the biometric card for any identity…We have moved into a new environment so even those who are not pensioners are advised to get the smart card.”