SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025 will proceed as scheduled this week, on Tuesday 2 December 2025. However, experts caution against beneficiaries overspending during the festive season. That’s because the next payment date in the New Year is only on Tuesday 6 January 2026. Which represents a five-week cycle, and not the usual four weeks …
As a result, recipients of SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025, are taking to social media. Once again, they are questioning the need for pension payments to take place on, typically, the first Tuesday of every month. In the past, such payments were reserved for the first day of the month, no matter the date.
SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS FOR DECEMBER 2025
Therefore, experts warn that all recipients of South African Social Security Agency grants should show restraint over the festive season. Thankfully, SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025 were increased back in October of this year. So, over 60s receive R2 320. And beneficiaries over the age of 75 receive R2 340. It is not yet confirmed by the agency, if another increase for ‘core’ SASSA grants is expected in April 2026.
But what makes the festive season harder than usual for SASSA grant recipients is the pressure to spend more. Even in low-income households, Standard Bank reports an increase in discretionary spending during December on items like food, clothing and entertainment. Not to mention the inevitable demand at the start of the New Year for back-to-school expenditure for households with kids, etc …
SOCIAL WELFARE BUDGET UNDER PRESSURE
Another reason experts are urging caution is uncertainty within the Department of Social Development (DSD) itself. Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks told a group of elderly protesters last month that: “Given substantial pressures on the fiscus, the government has had to make difficult decisions to bring public finances back under control.”
Many within civil society believe he was referring to social welfare budget cuts that come effect in March 2026. The total budget, of which SASSA grants in South Africa is a part of, currently sits at R285 billion. But for 2026/27 this figure falls by R14 billion, to R271 billion. And for 2027/28 it falls again by R11 billion, to just R260 billion.
SAVING KEY FOR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS FOR DECEMBER 2025
As a result, advocacy groups warn that SASSA plainly cannot keep the same number of ‘core’ beneficiaries on its books going forward. Hence the increase in strict grant reviews. Putting an end to the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) may have saved the budget for old-age beneficiaries. But it was extended, yet again, by the Minister of Finance last month, this time to March 2027.
To better understand any potential cuts, we did some basic calculations for 2026 SASSA Old-Age Grants. At the current rate of R2 320 per month, a R14-billion reduction for 2026 would require cutting roughly 500 000 older-person grant recipients. That’s one-eighth of the four-million beneficiaries currently receiving a state pension. Extrapolated to 2027, just less than 900 000 elderly beneficiaries would have to be removed from the books.
INCOME AND ASSET LIMITS FOR OLD-AGE GRANTS IN 2025
As a result, SASSA quietly increased the mandatory income and asset limits for SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025 (earlier this year):
- Your income must be less than R107 800 (single) or R215 760 (married) per annum.
- Per month, this is R8 983 (single) or R17 980 (married)
- And your cumulative assets cannot be more than R1 524 600 (single) or R3 049 200 (married).
Applications typically take three months to be processed. So, applications made this month will only likely be paid out in March 2026. However, if successful, you will be back paid to the date of your first application.
APPLY FOR SASSA OLD-AGE GRANTS FOR DECEMBER 2025
Nevertheless, if you’re over 60, and meet the above income and asset criteria, there is no time to waste. Remember that you may not apply for SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025 if you are housed in a state institution/care facility, or receive any other form of social welfare from the state.
As such, you will need the following for your application:
- Official RSA identity document (ID) (preferably a Smart ID Card with a digital ID photo).
- Valid three months’ statement certified by your bank.
- All documents proving your marital status.
- Proof of residence (a utility bill with your name on it, not older than three months).
- Documents proving your income and/or financial dividends.
- Comprehensive information regarding assets/valuation of any property you own.
- Full declaration of any private pension in your name.
If your application for SASSA Old-Age Grants for December 2025 is denied, you have 90 days to appeal by clicking HERE.
CONTACT SASSA BELOW
For assistance with SASSA applications, you can contact the agency below:
- SASSA Toll-Free Call: 0800 60 10 11
- SASSA Head Office: 012 400 2322
- Email SASSA: grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za
But what do you think? How will SASSA be able to reduce its spending in the New Year without affecting clients’ livelihoods? Let us know in the comments section below …
