Since April 2006, the South African Social Security Agency
(SASSA) has been the official body for handling
the management, administration of social grants and social insurance in South
Africa. Social Assistance is an income transfer in the form of grants or financial
award provided by government. A social grant refers to adult grants, that is,
disability grants, a grant for the aged and a war veteran's grant. SASSA is
a section 3A public entity and focused institution
responsible to ensure that government pays the right grant, to the right person,
at a location which is most convenient to that person.
The means-tested, non-contributory
(social) pension in
South Africa was first introduced in 1928 but it was only in 1993 that the same
amount was paid to all racial groups. Women over 60 and men over 65 may be eligible
for a monthly pension of R780 (US$109). Means testing is based on an individual's
(and partner's if married) income levels. The scheme is administered by the
Department of Social Development and financed by
general taxation. The old-age pension makes up 1.4% of gross domestic product
(GDP) and 38% of the Department's total cash transfer expenditure. About 2 million
people receive the old-age pension. This is 94% of those over 65, so despite
being means tested, it has near universal coverage for those over 65.
Pension Funds Adjudicator
Handles complaints regarding private sector pension funds, including provident
funds and retirement annuities.
Tel: (021) 674 0209
Fax: (021) 674 0185
E-mail
Web site
Guide
to lodging a complaint
Government Employees Pension Fund
Handles complaints regarding government employee pension funds.
Tel: (012) 319 1911/1000
Fax: (012) 326 2507
E-mail
Web site
Guide
to lodging a complaint
Social grants
Handles problems with social grants, including old age pensions, through
the Department of Social Development. Contact the head office or the nearest
provincial office.
Tel: (012) 312 7500/7775
Toll-free: 0800 601 011
Fax: (012) 312 7943
E-mail
Web site
Online questions
and comments form
Telephone numbers of provincial locations:
- Eastern Cape: Tel (040) 636 4304 or 609 3931/61
- Free State: Tel (051) 405 4821/5000
- Gauteng: Tel (011) 355 7878/7600/7873
- KwaZulu-Natal: Tel (035) 874 3703 or 874 3700/5/6/7
- Limpopo (Northern Province): Tel (015) 290 9075/9000
- Mpumalanga: Tel: (013) 752 4106 or 766 3098
- Northern Cape: Tel: (053) 830 0786 or 832 7839/4/5
- North West: Tel: (018) 387 5755/4295
- Western Cape: Tel (021) 461 4143 or 483 3158/3858/5445
Public Protector
Handles unsolved issues with social grants.
Postal address: Private Bag X677, Pretoria 0001
Street address: Sinodale Centre, 228 Visagie Street, Pretoria
Tel: (012) 322 2916
Toll-free: 0800 112 040
Fax: (012) 322 5093
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