Feeling the Pinch: Minister Godongwana Responds to Pensioners Hoping for a 2027 SASSA Increase

South African pensioners hoping for a little extra money in their monthly SASSA payments in 2027 have been given an indication of when they can expect answers from the government.

For many older people, the monthly Older Persons Grant is more than just financial assistance. It helps put food on the table, pay for electricity, buy medication and support family members who may also be struggling financially.

With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, pensioners are understandably eager to know whether they will receive more money next year.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has now addressed the growing questions, explaining that a decision on the 2027/28 social grant adjustments will only be announced during the February 2027 Budget Speech.

Godongwana explained that proposed grant increases must first go through the government’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) process.

This involves assessing the country’s finances and determining how much money can be allocated to social grants and other government responsibilities.

The proposals must also receive Cabinet approval before any adjustments can be confirmed.

This means pensioners will have to wait until February 2027 to find out whether their monthly payments will increase and by how much.

The Finance Minister also responded to concerns that pensioners have historically received increases of only R10 to R20.

He disputed this, pointing to previous adjustments to the Older Persons Grant.

According to Godongwana, the 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, representing a 3.7% increase.

He explained that government considers factors such as inflation and food price increases when determining grant adjustments.

However, the final decision also depends on the money available in the national budget.

For now, older South Africans will have to continue working with their existing grant amounts while waiting for government’s announcement.

The uncertainty comes at a difficult time for many pensioners, particularly those who rely entirely on their monthly grants to meet their basic needs.

Although government has not confirmed how much the Older Persons Grant will increase in 2027, Godongwana’s response provides a clearer timeline for when beneficiaries can expect an answer.

For pensioners already feeling the pressure of rising living costs, the big question is whether the next increase will be enough to make a meaningful difference.

https://briefly.co.za/people/258342-feeling-pinch-minister-godongwana-responds-pensioners-hoping-a-2027-sassa-increase/

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