SASSA pensioners, USA News (South Africa): Older persons will have to wait until February 2027 to find out whether their monthly grant will increase in the 2027/28 financial year. Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana stated that a decision on whether older persons will receive a substantial increase in their monthly grant for the upcoming financial year will only be announced then.
Godongwana revealed this information in a written reply to a parliamentary question from uMkhonto we Sizwe Party MP Adil Nchabeleng. Nchabeleng had asked whether the government was considering a bigger increase to the Older Persons Grant amid rising food, electricity, transport, and healthcare costs.
He explained that decisions regarding social grant increases are still being considered as part of the 2027/28 budget process. These choices depend on available funds and other government spending priorities.
"Decisions regarding social grant increases for the 2027/28 financial year are being considered as part of the 2027 MTEF budget process that assesses affordability and competing priorities approved by Cabinet. Once Cabinet has approved, the Minister of Finance will announce changes when the budget is tabled in February 2027," he said.
Godongwana also dismissed claims that annual increases to the Older Persons Grant are usually limited to between R10 and R20. He noted that the grant increased by R85 a month in 2026/27, representing a 3.7% increase, while beneficiaries received an increase of R130, or 5.9%, in 2025/26.
"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 stated. He added that the government seeks to protect the purchasing power of social grants as far as fiscal circumstances permit.
