How R4.8bn could add R100 a month to SASSA old-age grants, says The South African

According to The South African, a recent parliamentary revelation shows that an unused R4.8 billion returned by the Department of Social Development to National Treasury could, in arithmetic terms, increase SASSA old-age grants by R1 200 a year per beneficiary.

Where the number comes from

The South African reports that the Department of Social Development was allocated R285.9 billion to pay social grants in 2025/26 but disbursed R281.1 billion, leaving a R4.8 billion balance. Divide that R4.8 billion by South Africa’s four-million old-age grant recipients and the result is R1 200 per person annually, the outlet says.

What that would mean for monthly payments

The South African calculates that the R1 200 annual amount equates to R100 extra per month for each pensioner. Using the current April 2026 figures cited in the report, that would raise the monthly rates to about R2 500 for the 60–74 age group and R2 520 for those over 75, the outlet says.

Agency response and administrative context

The report quotes the SASSA Chief Financial Officer Thandeka Ngcobo describing the returned funds as a result of “improved administration.” The South African also notes measures such as biometric checks, life certifications and bank account cross-referencing have led to the cancellation of more than 300 000 SASSA profiles over the past year.

Cost controls and savings

The South African cites SASSA CEO Themba Matlou and the Department of Social Development as saying they saved R170 million through strict cost controls, a figure the outlet contrasts with the larger unused balance.

Implications

The South African frames the unused R4.8 billion as funds that could be redirected to beneficiaries without requiring additional Treasury funding, calculating a potential R100 per month boost to old-age grants if the balance were distributed in that way.