SOUTH AFRICA: New pension laws set for July 1

CAPE TOWN (IndependentOnLine), May 27, 2008: Andisiwe Makinana It is a matter of weeks before men under 65 will qualify for the government's old age grant. If everything goes according to plan, the new law lowering the qualifying age of men for pensions will come into effect as early as July 1. This was revealed by Dr Waldemar Terblanche of the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa), while briefing the provincial standing committee on social development. The provinces have now put the Social Assistance Amendment Bill out for public comment. The age reduction will bring men into line with women, who already get the grant at 60. In terms of the bill, men aged 60 to 64 years will be eligible to apply for the old-age grant. This is to be phased in over the next two to three years, with men aged 63 and 64 qualifying in 2008/09, 61 and 62 in 2009/10, and 60 in 2010/11. 'Legislation would make a big difference in fighting poverty' Terblanche said President Thabo Mbeki would sign the bill into law as soon as the legislative process had been finalised, presumably by June 10. He also said men would only qualify from the date of application after the president signed it. Terblanche said R1,3-billion had been allocated for this grant in the 2008/09 financial year and R1,5-billion for 2009/10. The standing committee welcomed the amendment, and committee chairperson Johan Gelderblom said the proposed legislation would make a big difference in fighting poverty, especially in rural areas. The bill also makes provision for the consideration of appeals against Sassa by an independent tribunal. The minister can appoint an appeals tribunal for people who are not happy with a Sassa decision, said Terblanche. The National Council of Provinces has asked that the bill be finalised before the end of June. © 2008 Independent Online