SASSA Older Persons Grant annual increases, Digi Mart USA News (South Africa): Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has dismissed claims that annual increases to the SASSA Older Persons Grant are usually limited to between R10 and R20. He pointed to adjustments made over the past two financial years in a written parliamentary reply to uMkhonto we Sizwe Party MP Adil Nchabeleng.
Nchabeleng had raised concerns about grant increases amid rising food, electricity, transport and healthcare costs. The Minister said the Older Persons Grant increased by R130 per month in the 2025/26 financial year, representing a 5.9% increase.
In the 2026/27 financial year, beneficiaries received an additional R85 per month, equivalent to a 3.7% increase. Godongwana said the assertion that annual increases are typically limited to between R10 and R20 “is not accurate.” He also noted that the latest increase was slightly above the projected consumer price inflation (CPI) reflected in the 2026 Budget Review.
Responding to questions about the criteria used to determine annual adjustments, Godongwana said social grant increases are informed by inflation trends, including projected CPI and food price inflation. However, he said the final adjustments depend on the financial resources available to government and prevailing economic conditions.
“While social grant increases are informed by inflation trends, including projected CPI and food price inflation, the level of adjustments ultimately depends on the fiscal resources available and prevailing economic conditions,” Godongwana said. “Government seeks, as far as fiscal circumstances permit, to protect the purchasing power of social grants and provide support to vulnerable households, while balancing this objective against other critical public spending priorities,” he added.
The government has not yet confirmed how much older persons will receive in the 2027/28 financial year. Godongwana said decisions on social grant increases are still being considered as part of the 2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget process, which weighs affordability and competing spending priorities before Cabinet approval.
The Minister is expected to announce the adjustments when the national budget is tabled in February 2027.
