Government Pension
The South African state pension is also called the state old age grant.
It’s important for everyone to be aware of what they are entitled to in order to prepare for retirement.
Who is Entitled to a Government Pension?
In order for you to be able to get a government pension, you must (Correct at time of print, please verify):
- Be 60 years or older
- Be a citizen or permanent resident within South Africa
- Live in South Africa while applying for it.
In order for you to be able to get a government pension, you must not:
- Be living in a state institution
- Earn above R86 280 each year or own assets worth more than R1 227 600 for those who are single
- Have a combined income of over R172 560 year for those who are married
- Have a spouse with assets of over R2 455 200.
How much am I entitled to?
The amount of the pension each person is entitled to will change every year and so it is best to get this information directly from the government website.
Applying for a Government Pension
In order to apply for the government pension, you will need to visit your nearest District Welfare / South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) office. Applying for this grant is completely free and the entire process should take about two hours. All applicants will be interviewed and have their fingerprints taken.
When applying for the grant, you will need to bring:
1. Your ID document
2. Marital status information
3. Information about your income and assets.
It takes about one month for an application to be processed. After this time, you should receive a letter stating that your application has been accepted, or a letter explaining why it hasn’t been accepted. If your application has not been accepted, you’ll be able to read your letter to see how to appeal this .
SASSA Office:
501 Prodinsa Building
Cnr Steve Biko and Pretorius Streets
Pretoria
Tel: 012 – 400 2000 (switchboard)
Website: www.sassa.gov.za
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED
You will receive your government pension through one of three methods:
- You’ll get cash at a specific pay-point on a certain day
- The cash will be deposited into your bank or Postbank account
- Through the institution in which you live (such as an old age home).
For those who can’t collect their own money, they can appoint someone else to do it for them at the SASSA office
Your payments will continue until: