Older Persons’ Grant, OPG
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Population group
Elderly persons
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To support older South African citizens who cannot support themselves.
Government of South Africa. 2015. “Old age pension.” Government of South Africa website.
Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.za/services/social-benefits-retirement-and-oldage/
old-age-pension>.
Start date
2004
1928 (first legislation), 2004 (current legislation). Reference:
US Social Security Administration. 2013. Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2013.
Washington, DC: SSA. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/
ssptw/2012-2013/africa/ssptw13africa.pdf>.
Coverage
3,152,262 beneficiaries (73 per cent of
South Africa’s elderly population ; 2015)
Programme expenditure
1.3 per cent of GDP (or ZAR53.5 billion; 2015/16)
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Means Test
Categorical Targeting
US Social Security Administration. 2013. Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2013.
Washington, DC: SSA. Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/
ssptw/2012-2013/africa/ssptw13africa.pdf>.
Targeted areas
Nationwide
Target groups
Elderly people
Eligibility criteria
For South African citizens, permanent residents or refugees
aged 60 and older with an annual income of less than ZAR65,
106 and assets of no more than ZAR937,200 per person (or a combined
income of ZAR130,200 and assets of ZAR1.9 million for couples).
The beneficiaries must not be resident or cared for in a State institution.
Eligibility reassessment (if any)
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is responsible for
reviewing eligibility criteria, such as the declared income of the beneficiary.
Beneficiaries must also present life certificates.
Government of South Africa. 2015. “Old age pension.” Government of South Africa website.
Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.za/services/social-benefits-retirement-and-oldage/
old-age-pension>.
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash
Amount of benefits
Up to ZAR1,420 (age 60–74); ZAR1,440 (age 75+)
Payment/delivery frequency
Montlhy
Government of South Africa. 2015. “Old age pension.” Government of South Africa website.
Accessed 11 November 2015. <http://www.gov.za/services/social-benefits-retirement-and-oldage/
old-age-pension>.
Benefit delivery mechanism
Grants are paid by SASSA through the following methods:
• pay points;
• automatic teller machines (ATMs);
• contracted merchant stores; and
• State institutions (e.g. retirement homes).
Benefit recipients
South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees
Minimum and maximum duration of benefits (if any)
The grant is subject to review for the means test and lapses when the
beneficiary dies, is admitted to a state institution, ceases to be a refugee,
or six months after admission to a psychiatric hospital.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and frequency
SASSA administers the grant. Its monitoring and evaluation branch
produces monthly statistical reports of all its social grants, indicating
the number of beneficiaries per region
