South Africa
Basic country data
- Population over 60 in 2010:
- 3,694,968 (7%)
- Projected population over 60 in 2050:
- 9,286,054 (16%)
- Poverty rate of total population:
- 26%
- Income of country:
- Upper middle income
- Social pension?
- Yes
Scheme information
- Scheme information: Older Persons Grant
- Year introduced:
- 1927/8 first scheme introduced for whites, 1944 scheme extended to whole population, 1996 full parit
- Monthly pension benefit:
- 1200 Rand (155 US$)
- 24.61 % of average income
- 592 % of international poverty line
- Age of eligiblity:
- 60
- Targeting:
- Means-tested
- % of population over 60 covered:
- 72%
- Total cost:
- 1.14% of GDP
This 2008 report by HelpAge explores the importance of social pensions to older people and their families in South Africa.
Resources on the pension in South Africa
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World Report on Child Labour: Economic vulnerability, social protection and the fight against child labour
Year: 2013 | Published by: ILO
This new report is the first in a series to be published annually by the ILO s International Programme on the Elimination of Child...
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Pensions, poverty and wellbeing: the impact of pensions in South Africa and Brazil, a comparative study
Year: 2012 | Published by: HelpAge International
Pension watch briefing no. 7, published by HelpAge International, compares the impact of pensions in South Africa and Brazil, focussing both on poverty and...
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South Africa: You and your grant
Year: 2012 | Published by: SASSA
This informational pamphlet, produced by the South African Social Security Agency, provides information for the period 2011-12 on grants available in South Africa. This...
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Government of South Africa: Older Persons Grant (webpage)
Year: 2012
This Government website provides information on the Older Persons Grant in South Africa.
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Bargaining with Grandma: The Impact of the South African Pension on Household Decision Making
Year: 2011 | Published by: University of Michigan
I use the 2008 South African National Income Dynamics Survey to examine how the increase in income provided by the South African pension affects...
