‘25% discount in stores’: Pensioners push for supermarket relief

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Pensioners say the monthly grant no longer stretches far enough, and one proposal gaining support could change how they shop.

0 Shoppers browsing fresh produce in a busy grocery store aisle. Image: Pexels South African pensioners want the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to ease the pressure at the till. Some grant recipients are suggesting a special discount card for older persons.

The idea came up in the comments section of The South African’s Facebook page. Grant recipients shared their ideas on how the government could make the Older Persons Grant go further.

Enock Thembekile Jakeni put the proposal plainly.

“SASSA should issue card to pensioners to get 25% discount in stores & Supermarket,” Jakeni wrote.

Shipho Khosi backed the idea but offered government a second option.

“Either discount at shopping stores or increase in the pension,” Khosi wrote.

Khosi’s comment sums up a choice many pensioners feel is overdue. Government could make groceries cheaper for older persons, or it could put more money in their accounts.

The Old Age Grant currently pays R2 400 a month for people aged 60 and older. The amounts went up on 1 April, when the grant rose from R2 310 to R2 400.

That R90 increase has done little to soften the rising costs of food, transport and electricity. Many pensioners also use their grant to support more than one person. Grandchildren, unemployed adult children and other relatives often depend on the same R2 400. As a result, the money runs out long before the next payday.

Jakeni’s proposal would make a real difference. A 25% discount on a R2 000 monthly grocery bill would save a pensioner R500. That is more than five times this year’s grant increase.

SASSA has not announced any plan for a pensioner discount card. A scheme like this would need partnerships with retailers. Those retailers would either have to absorb the cost or get support from government.

Supporters argue that SASSA already has a way to verify who qualifies. Millions of beneficiaries hold SASSA cards, which could work as ready-made proof of eligibility at the till.

For now, pensioners must keep stretching every rand until payday.

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