If you’re a pensioner hoping for a bigger payment next year, you’ll need to sit tight a little longer. Finance Minister enoch godongwana says no decision has been made yet on the Older Persons Grant for 2027/28. The answer will come in February 2027, when the national budget is tabled.
What was actually said
The reply came in writing, after MK Party MP Adil Nchabeleng asked a question in Parliament. He wanted to know if government is considering a proper increase for older persons, given how much food, electricity, transport and healthcare now cost.
The minister didn’t say yes. He didn’t say no either. He explained that grant increases for 2027/28 are being looked at as part of the 2027 budget process, which weighs what the country can afford against everything else it has to pay for. Cabinet has to approve the plan first. After that, the Finance Minister will announce any changes in the budget speech.
So if you’ve seen a WhatsApp message or Facebook post claiming a new amount is already locked in, don’t believe it. Nothing has been decided.
Where the grant stands today
Since April 2026, the Older Persons Grant has paid R2 400 a month to people aged 60 to 74. Those aged 75 and older get R2 420. Over four million South Africans depend on it.
The minister also reminded Parliament of the last two increases:
| Financial year | Increase | Percentage rise |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | R130 | 5.9% |
| 2026/27 | R85 | 3.7% |
You can see the pattern. Government has raised the grant every year, but the second rise was noticeably smaller than the first. For a pensioner watching grocery prices climb, that gap is felt in the pocket.
Why so many pensioners are worried
For lots of families, this isn’t pocket money. One pension often supports a whole household, especially where jobs are scarce. When bread, electricity and taxi fares go up, the grant runs out faster.
That’s partly why groups of pensioners marched in 2026, asking for R5 000 a month. It’s worth knowing that SASSA itself can’t change the amount. The agency has said so. The decision sits with National Treasury and Cabinet, so the budget is where the real answer lies.
What the October mini budget told us
Many people hoped the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on 21 October would give a hint. Finance Minister enoch godongwana delivered it, but it said nothing about raising pensions.
The focus was on stricter checks instead. Treasury wants better biometric enrolment and verification of grant beneficiaries, and says this could save about R13.1 billion over three years. It also expects the total number of grant recipients to slip slightly, from 17.8 million in 2026/27 to 17.1 million by 2029/30.
The Social Relief of Distress grant was extended for another year, and plans for a permanent Basic Income Support scheme are still being worked on.
Does this mean pensioners will get nothing? Not at all. But it does show Treasury is watching every rand closely, which makes the February budget a big moment.
What will shape the final decision
The minister mentioned two things: affordability and competing priorities. That’s easy to understand. The state has limited money, and health, schools, police and debt repayments all want a bigger slice. Inflation also matters, because it decides how much a rand can buy.
Past years give a clue about timing. Increases announced in the February budget usually kick in from April. If a rise is approved, pensioners could see it in their April 2027 payment. That’s only a pattern, though, not a promise.
Your November payment is on track
Nothing about the 2027 debate changes what you get now. The Older Persons Grant is paid first each month, ahead of disability and children’s grants. This month, the payment date is 3 November, because the 2nd falls on a weekend.
If your money doesn’t arrive, visit a SASSA office or use official channels. Please remember that SASSA never charges a fee to process a grant. If someone asks you to pay for faster service, walk away.
A few simple things you can do now
You can’t change the budget, but you can stay ready.
- Check your details. Make sure your bank account and contact number are correct with SASSA.
- Keep your papers handy. With more verification on the way, your ID and proof of address may be needed.
- Stick to official sources. The SASSA website and National Treasury are where real announcements appear.
- Guard your PIN and card. Nobody from SASSA will ask you for them.
It’s easy to feel anxious when money is tight and rumours fly around. A simple check with an official source can save you a lot of worry.
So, will pensioners get more in 2027?
Honestly, we don’t know yet. What we do know is that government has increased the grant two years in a row, and that the decision for 2027/28 is on the table. We also know that February 2027 is when the answer will arrive.
Until then, the grant stays at R2 400 for ages 60 to 74 and R2 420 for those 75 and above. Keep your documents ready, ignore the rumours, and wait for the budget speech.
For payment dates and eligibility, visit the South African Social Security Agency. For budget documents when they’re released, see the National Treasury.
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