The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has increased pensions by an average of 17 percent as of December last year, a top official has said. Mr Collins Opoku, Techiman district branch manager of SSNIT said the increment would reflect in this year's monthly payment to all pensioners of the Trust. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Nkoranza local branch of the National Pensioners Association at Nkoranza. Mr Opoku said the increase was redistributed in line with the solidarity principle of social insurance, adding that individual increases ranged from 11 percent for those on higher pensions, to 33 percent for those at the lower end. He stressed the need for pensioners aged more than 72 years to process life certificates in every six months in order to continue to receive their payments. Mr Opoku emphasized that the life certificates served as a record that the applicants exist to enable the Trust make adequate provisions for their welfare and support. Mr E.R. Appiagyei Danka, Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretary of the Association, commended pensioners in Nkoranza for coming together to promote their welfare and urged them to sustain the unity. He said the association was exploring ways to improve the livelihood of members.Source: GNA