Contributors of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have been urged to regularly update their beneficiary records to avoid disputes and undue stress for their families when members pass away.

The Trust noted that outdated records remain one of the leading causes of delays in processing survivor benefits, often leaving widows, children and dependents in prolonged hardship.

The call was made yesterday at the New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra during an edu­cational engagement with staff of the corporation. The session formed part of SSNIT’s ongoing public sensitisation on pensions and benefits.

Addressing participants, Client Service Officer at SSNIT’s Accra In­dustrial Area (AIA), Maron Esinam Ahiataku, stressed that the Trust does not alter a con­tributor’s details once provided.

She, therefore, urged members to be certain of the information they submit and to review their records at least once every five years.

“All our members need to visit any SSNIT office and report again. Bring evidence. But note that the moment you bring the documenta­tion, it is not automatic. We will still have to investigate,” she explained.

Ms Ahiataku cautioned contrib­utors against assuming they could contest their retirement age when due for pension. “Once your date of birth with SSNIT shows you are 60, no change will be made,” she stated.

She added that SSNIT did not deliberately delay payments, but some claims present issues that required verification and further investigation to ensure the right beneficiaries were paid. In certain cases, families are advised to go to court, particularly when claims involving death or children need authentication.

On other SSNIT benefits, she highlighted provisions for invalidity pensions, old-age pensions, lump sums and benefits for expatriates working in Ghana. She under­scored that while investigations may sometimes prolong payments, due diligence is necessary to prevent fraud and protect members’ funds.

Ms Ahiataku reminded con­tributors that the welfare of their dependants rested on the accuracy of their records.

“You don’t want your loved ones to suffer when it is time to pay benefits. Please update your records, because death can come at any time, and it is always your dependants who bear the pain of your negligence.”

Speaking after the engagement, Human Resource and Administra­tion Manager of NTC, Mrs Agnes Nketia, described the sensitisation exercise as both insightful and time­ly, noting that it had helped dispel long-held misconceptions about SSNIT and its operations.

She commended SSNIT for the initiative, emphasising that it had provided much-needed clarity for staff.

Mrs Nketia explained that many employees previously harboured doubts about how SSNIT managed pensions, particularly with regard to delayed payments and who qualifies as a beneficiary.

The interactive session, she said, gave staff the opportunity to ask questions directly and receive prac­tical answers.