Parliament Urged to Back R600 Increase in Old-Age Grant

Parliament has been urged to support a proposed R600 increase in South Africa’s old-age grant, with concerns raised about whether elderly citizens can afford basic necessities on their current monthly payments.

The proposal was presented by Math is not Mathing, an independent public interest initiative, during public hearings on the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). The hearings were hosted by Parliament’s Standing and Select Committees on Finance on 28 October 2026.

Geraldine Prinsloo, who represented the organisation during the presentation, called on the government to increase the old-age grant from R2,400 to R3,000 per month.

Prinsloo questioned how pensioners were expected to survive financially after paying for essential expenses, including food, electricity, accommodation, transport and medication.

“After food, electricity, accommodation, transport and medication, can we please explain to the South African elderly how they are expected to live on R2 400 per month?” she asked.

She argued that while the national budget might appear balanced on paper, the financial realities facing older people remained difficult.

“A budget can balance perfectly on paper, while the lives it is supposed to sustain remains financially impossible,” Prinsloo said.

The organisation’s proposal would give qualifying older people an additional R600 per month, representing a 25% increase on the current R2,400 grant amount cited during the presentation.

The proposed increase is intended to help pensioners cope with the rising cost of living and the pressure of meeting their basic needs on a limited income.

For many older people who rely on social grants as their primary source of income, monthly payments must cover several expenses, leaving little room for unexpected costs. These can include medical needs, household bills and transport to healthcare facilities.

The appeal places the affordability of social assistance under the spotlight as Parliament considers public submissions on the country’s medium-term fiscal policy.

The MTBPS outlines the government’s economic outlook, spending priorities and fiscal plans for the coming years. Public hearings provide an opportunity for organisations and members of the public to raise concerns and make recommendations about government spending and policy decisions.

However, the proposed increase remains a recommendation from Math is not Mathing and should not be interpreted as an approved adjustment to the old-age grant.

The appeal calls on Parliament to motivate for a higher monthly payment, with Prinsloo arguing that the financial needs of elderly South Africans should be considered alongside the government’s broader budgetary priorities.

Whether the proposal will receive further consideration remains to be seen.

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