The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has deployed systems that allow members of the scheme to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers (Personal ID Numbers on their Ghana Cards).

The merger will provide convenience and comfort for members as they will only use one card, the Ghana Card, for all transactions with the Trust. .

The merger process

A release issued in Accra at the weekend said: “To merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers, members are to dial *711*9# and follow the prompts..

Alternatively, members may log onto the SSNIT website and follow the instructions to merge their numbers.”

The release also said members can also visit the nearest SSNIT branch with their Ghana Cards, valid email addresses and phone numbers to have the merger done for them.

Notification will be sent to members once the merger of their numbers is successful.

PHOTO: This is a notification message which was sent to a member on Sunday night, June 27 after the merger of his numbers.

“Members of the scheme, who provided their SSNIT numbers during the NIA registration, should note that their numbers have been merged already.Such individuals may dial the short code *711*9# and select option two to check the status of the merger.“

According to the release, once the merger of the SSNIT and NIA numbers is complete, members can use their Ghana Cards to transact business with the Trust.

Caution

The release asked the general public to note that, effective July 15, 2021, all new joiners to the SSNIT scheme must provide their Ghana Cards as identification in order to enrol onto the scheme.

Management urges all members of the scheme to ensure that their numbers are merged for a smooth transition.

Rationale

The release explained that the merger was in compliance with directives from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) and Regulation 7 (1) of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, L.I. 2111 which required the use of the Ghana Card as identification for "transactions pertaining to individuals in respect of pensions".

“From January 2022, the Ghana Card will be the only identification recognised by the Trust.

All employers will also be required to use only the NIA numbers of their workers to process contribution reports and make payments. Voluntary contributors will have to pay their contributions using their NIA numbers.”