Now better received on Old-Age Grants, a complex update from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is something both the agency and pensioners can finally breathe a sigh of relief over. Old-Age Grants for September 2025 are set to be paid on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. After months of irregular and prolonged payment cycles stretching to five weeks, going back to a four-week cycle is a relief to everyone. In this piece, we touch on why this matters, step-by-step payment instructions, changes in eligibility, and how pensioners can get ready to access their funds.
Payment Schedule and Stability
Because of the erratic payment schedules and stretches of prolonged payment cycles, SASSA had not announced disbursement dates for the Old Age Grant for a while. To keep things consistent, SASSA has set an earlier date of 2 September 2025 to begin disbursements. Having to wait the previous five weeks enables pensioners not only to look out for their old-age grants but to make timely payments for food, medicine, and even utilities. SASSA goes a step further in managing financial distress by instituting 5 September 2025, the first Friday of the month, as the backup pay.
Modifications to Eligibility Criteria and Income Levels
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has again adjusted asset and income criteria for the Old Age grant for the year 2025, due to pressures from the cost of living, to SASSA. The limit for single pensioners has been raised to R107 800 from R101 640, and for married couples, it is now R215 760, up from R203 380. The asset limit increases now stand at R1 524 600 for individual assets and R3 049 200 for married couples. These changes not only increase the elderly population that will benefit from the grant but also focus the grant to those in a weaker financial situation. Due to these changes fraud risk has increased and therefore incomes will have to be verified at SASSA offices for pensioners to remain eligible for the grant.
How to Access Your Grant
For those who have retired, your grant is accessible through your bank account, your Postbank SASSA card, and even may be withdrawn in cash from pay points such as Post Offices. Recipients must ensure that their banking details are current on the SASSA portal or at a local office to prevent delays. To mitigate overcrowding, SASSA also requests beneficiaries to skip the queues at collection points on the first day. If pensioners need to report inappropriate charges to SASSA, including fictitious funeral policy charges, they can do so either directly or by SMS by sending their ID and the funder’s name to 34548. It is a single charge, which may be up to 10%, but must be approved.
Also Read: NSFAS R5,200 August 2025 Allowance: Qualification and Claiming Process