Publications
Partners
A Fin24 user asks:
I am 81 years old and my wife is 73. Ill health has caught
up with both of us. We need to augment our income with help from the
government. What qualifies us for old age pensions?
The South African Government Services responds:
You can get an older persons grant to see you through your
old age.
An older persons grant is paid to women who are 60 years or
older and men who are 60 years or older. To qualify, you must be a South African
citizen or a permanent resident.
You must live in South Africa, not be receiving any other
social grant for yourself and not be cared for in a state institution.
In addition, you should not earn more than R47 400 per year
or own assets worth more than R 792 000 if you are single.
If you are married, your combined income must not be more
than R94 800 per year and you and your spouse must not have assets worth more
than R 1 584 000.
The maximum amount that you will be paid is R1 200 per
month. If you are older than 75 years, you will get R 1 200 plus R20.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) will pay
the grant to you through cash at a specific pay point on a particular day, or
deposit money electronically into your bank or Postbank account (the bank may
charge you for the service).
If you are unable to collect the money yourself, you can
appoint a procurator at the Sassa office, or give someone power of attorney to
collect the grant on your behalf.
When you go to the Sassa office nearest to where you live,
bring your 13-digit barcoded identity document (ID).
If you don't have an ID, you must complete an affidavit on a
standard Sassa form in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths who is not a
Sassa official.
You must bring a sworn statement signed by a reputable
person (like a councillor, traditional leader, social worker, minister of
religion or school principal) who can verify your name and age.
Sassa officials will take your fingerprints. You will be
referred to the department of home affairs to apply for an ID document even as
your application is processed. If you don't get an ID, your grant will be
suspended.
You need to have proof of your marital status (if
applicable), residence, income or
dividends (if any), assets including the value of the property you own, private
pension (if any), and a three months' bank statement.
In addition, if you are employed you need your Unemployment
Insurance Fund (UIF) "blue book" or discharge certificate from your
previous employer and if your spouse died within the last five years, a copy of
the will and the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts where
applicable.
Please note that if you are too old or sick to travel to the
office to apply, a family member or friend can do so on your behalf.
The person should take a letter from you or a doctor's note
saying why you cannot visit the office and complete the application form in the
presence of a Sassa officer (note that only you as the applicant or a Sassa
official can complete the application form).
The officer will interview you and tell you if you qualify
for the grant.
- Fin24
*Do you have a pressing financial question? Post it on our Money Clinic section and we will get an expert to answer your query.
*For more on this and other Fin24 stories, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
