Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNIT) has reiterated that the use of 2.5 per cent of workers social security contribution to fund the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) would not affect pensions to be paid to contributors. It said according to law, the pension benefits are "based on a prescribed formula and, therefore, the benefits accruing to participants will not be affected by the proposed transfer of 2.5 per cent social security contribution to the Health Insurance Fund".

The assurance, which was contained in a letter to the Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), was in response to the Union's attempt to seek clearance on the issue of the 2.5 per cent and call in the increase of workers representation on the SNNIT Board.

The letter signed by Mr K. Osei Bimpong, Head of the Public Affairs of the SNNIT, said, "the only scenario under which the benefit entitlements will suffer a reduction will be if the current proposal were to also mandate a change in the benefit formula. This is not the case in respect of the proposal under consideration.

It said in addition to the 2.5 per cent serving as a contributor's premium to the NHIS, it has also been accepted that contributors, who go on pension would not be required to pay premium and would be entitled to medical care under the NHIS.

"In effect, an additional benefit in the form of health insurance has been introduced and this being the case, the deduction cannot be a one-time payment so long as this additional benefit has to be provided, the deduction will be made".