The South African Social Security Agency gets a bad rap when it comes to the African old-age pension plans it offers. Each month we’re inundated with messages from SASSA old-age pension beneficiaries wishing they could receive more than the R2 190 (over 60) and R2 210 (over 75) monthly stipend.
So, wanting better context on how our long-established SASSA scheme compares to other African old-age pension grants, we tracked down comprehensive social protection reports from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). As well as country-specific pension data on the continent from the World Bank and African Development Bank.
AFRICAN OLD-AGE PENSION GRANTS
Beyond the obvious comparison to the 2024 SASSA grants system, this in-depth look at African old-age pension grants is of extra relevance because the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has raised the alarm on the continent. According to the OECD, Africa is the fastest ageing continent globally. It predicts that by the year 2050, more than two-billion people will be over the age of 60. In fact, over 60s represent the fastest growing population group on the continent, followed by under 18s. So, soon you’ll have an inverse bell curve of tax-paying middle class supporting the ever-growing demands of youth and elder social welfare.
Likewise, both the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa admit that finding precise and up-to-date pension data across all African countries can be challenging. Nevertheless, here’s our look into the top ten African old-age pension plans, factoring in comprehensiveness, sustainability and, of course, benefits …
TOP 10 AFRICAN GOVERNMENT PENSIONS
1. Zambia
- Monthly Pension: $215 (R3 830)*
- Comprehensive social security system
- Strong legislative framework
- Multiple pension tiers
- Means and Asset Tested: Yes
- Eligibility: 60+ years, citizenship requirements
- Zambian Government Services
2. South Africa
- Monthly Pension: $120 (R2 210)*
- Comprehensive social security system
- Strong legislative framework
- Multiple pension tiers
- Means and Asset Tested: Yes
- Eligibility: 60+ years, low income
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
3. Mauritius
- Monthly Pension: $118 (R2 157)*
- Robust public service pension scheme
- High coverage for government employees
- Stable economic management supports pension fund
- Means Tested: Partially
- Asset Tested: Limited
- Primarily for public sector employees
- Republic of Mauritius website
4. Botswana
- Monthly Pension: $90 (R1 630)*
- Good coverage for government employees
- Stable economy supports pension fund
- Means Tested: Partially
- Asset Tested: Limited
- Primarily for public sector employees
- Botswana Unified Revenue Service
5. Namibia
- Monthly Pension: $80 (R1 450)*
- Well-structured public sector pension system
- Good legal protections for retirees
- Means Tested: Yes
- Asset Tested: Minimal
- Social Security Commission of Namibia
6. Morocco
- Monthly Pension: $70 (R1 270)*
- Covers both public and private sector workers
- Means Tested: Yes
- Asset Tested: Limited
7. Tunisia
- Monthly Pension: $60 (R1 087)*
- Comprehensive social security system
- Relatively high coverage for a North African nation
- Means Tested: Yes
- Asset Tested: Moderate
8. Algeria
- Monthly Pension: $55 (R997)*
- State-managed pension system
- Significant oil revenue supports pension funds
- Monthly Pension:
- Means Tested: Partially
- Asset Tested: Minimal
9. Egypt
- Monthly Pension: $50 (R906)*
- Multiple pension schemes
- Challenges with economic volatility
- Means Tested: Yes
- Asset Tested: Limited
10. Kenya
- Monthly Pension: $40 (R725)*
- Improving public service pension system
- Ongoing reforms to enhance sustainability
- Means Tested: Yes
- Asset Tested: Minimal
*Important Caveats to note are that pension amounts can fluctuate based on economic conditions and dollar exchange rates in that country. And while significant disparities across the continent clearly still exist, many countries are implementing robust social security reforms. Which is no easy task in the face of economic volatility, limited government resources and the continent’s ageing overall population. But what do you think?
HOW CAN SASSA ONLY RANK SECOND IN AFRICA?
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