South Africa’s senior citizens have begun receiving their monthly SASSA old age pensions for December 2025. Each beneficiary will get R2180 this month. The South African Social Security Agency has published the complete December payment schedule and is asking all pensioners to check their payment dates & collection methods. They should also confirm their account balances to prevent any delays or missed payments. The government wants to make sure that millions of elderly people get their financial support on time without any problems. The current payment amount includes a R20 increase that was added in April 2025. This adjustment happens every year to help offset inflation and provide economic relief to pensioners. SASSA is also distributing several other grants this month including disability grants & child support payments.

Official Payment Calendar — December 2025

| Grant Type | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Older Persons Grant | Wednesday, 15 December 2025 |
| War Veterans Grant | Wednesday, 15 December 2025 |
| Disability Grant | Thursday, 16 December 2025 |
| Children’s Grant | Friday, 17 December 2025 |
| Foster Care Grant | Friday, 17 December 2025 |
| Care Dependency Grant | Friday, 17 December 2025 |
| Social Relief of Distress (SRD) | Monday, 19 December 2025 |
| Grant-in-Aid | Paid together with the main grant |
Please crowding se bachein — ATMs ya post offices par rush karne ke bajaye,
apni SASSA card ko participating retailers par use karein,
jaise Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, aur Checkers,
taake withdrawal zyada safe aur convenient rahe.
Updated R2,180 Pension Amounts Explained for December
The most recent adjustment to the old-age pension has been welcomed by many households, especially
as food and electricity costs continue to rise.
Current Old Age Pension Amounts & Eligibility
| Age Group | Monthly Grant Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 60–74 years | R2,180 | Includes the April 2025 increase |
| 75 years and older | R2,200 | Higher amount for older seniors |
| Grant-in-Aid | R510 | May be added to the main grant if care support is required |
| Income threshold (individual) | R8,070 | Must be below this monthly income to qualify |
| Income threshold (married) | R16,140 | Combined spousal monthly income limit |
| Asset limit (single) | R1,372,800 | Assets must be within this limit for eligibility |
| Asset limit (married) | R2,745,600 | Combined household asset limit |
To qualify, pensioners must meet SASSA’s means test requirements. If your income, assets, or living
circumstances change, you should report it to SASSA to prevent delays, cancellations, or possible
fraud-related issues.
Eligibility Rules Every Old Age Grant Applicant Must Know
To qualify for the R2180 monthly pension payment you need to meet specific requirements.
– You must be a South African citizen or hold permanent resident status or refugee status.
– The minimum age requirement is 60 years old.
– You cannot receive any other social grant in your own name at the same time.
– Your income & assets must fall below the set threshold according to the means test.
– You need to provide a valid identity document & proof of where you live.
– You must be living in South Africa when you apply.
If you are already registered you will keep getting your monthly payments. This continues unless your income changes or your banking details change or you no longer meet the eligibility requirements.
Steps to Take If Your December Pension Is Delayed
If your payment has not arrived yet you should stay calm. Several common issues can cause delays but most have simple fixes.
– Your bank details might be wrong or need updating which stops the money from going through.
– Your income level could have changed and if you now earn more than the allowed amount your payment may be on hold.
– Your SASSA card might have expired and needs to be replaced before you can receive funds.
– The system sometimes runs slowly when many people are trying to access it at the same time.
You can fix these problems in a few ways.
– Go to your local SASSA office and bring your ID document with you.
– Phone the SASSA helpline at 0800 60 10 11 to speak with someone who can help.
– You can also check what is happening with your payment by going online to https://srd.sassa.gov.za/sc19/status & looking up your status there.
Most payment delays get sorted out quickly once you take action and contact SASSA through one of these methods.
Smart and Safe Ways to Collect Your Pension

SASSA advises pensioners to stay away from long queues and risky ways of getting their money. Here are some important guidelines to follow:
– If you plan to collect cash wait for one or two days after the official payment date.
– This helps you avoid the rush at payment points.
– You can use your SASSA card at major supermarkets instead of ATMs.
– This saves you money on fees and keeps you away from crowded areas.
– Never share your SASSA card PIN with anyone.
– Keep this information private to protect your money from theft.
If you notice strange deductions from your account or someone tries to scam you, contact SASSA or Black Sash immediately to report the problem. Before you walk away from any payment location, take time to count your money & confirm you received the correct amount. SASSA beneficiaries have the option to move their payments from Postbank to their own bank accounts. This change makes transactions easier and faster for everyone involved.
Department of Social Development: Extra Support (SASSA Pensions ke saath)
Department of Social Development (DSD) SASSA pension programs ke ilawa kuch aur assistance initiatives bhi
introduce kar raha hai. Neeche listed benefits province ke hisaab se change ho sakte hain.
| Support Program | Benefit | Eligibility / Kaun Qualify Karega |
|---|---|---|
| Free Electricity Credits | R600 monthly (indigent households) | Indigent list par registered hona لازمی |
| Free Transport Vouchers | Up to R250 per month | 65+ seniors ke liye |
| Funeral Assistance (SASSA-linked) | Up to R7,500 burial costs | Sirf pensioner ke inteqal ki surat mein applicable |
| Grocery Relief Program | Food parcels (up to R980 value) | Distress / crisis households (case assessment ke baad) |
| Rental Support Program | R600 per month (townships) | Low-income screening / verification par |
| Health Check-Up Camps | Clinics par free checkups | Schedules province-wise different dates vary |
| Home Visits for Disabled Seniors | Social workers ki home support | Local SASSA office par registration required |
Yeh programs province ke mutabiq vary karte hain. Enrollment dates, required documents aur process confirm
karne ke liye apni nearest SASSA/DSD branch se zaroor check karein.
