SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands apply for old-age grant

JOHANNESBURG (The Times - SAPA), August 11, 2008: THE South African Social Security Agency has processed 5,000 pension applications from men aged 63 and 64 since the new Social Assistance Amendment Act came into effect last month, the social development department said yesterday. The law aims to give everyone older than 60 equal access to the old-age grant. Previously, men only qualified at 65. Social development minister Zola Skweyiya said: “Since they could not obtain the old-age grant, most men in need applied for the disability grant. “Over 36,000 cases have now been converted from the disability grant to the old- age grant. We are expecting at least 120000 men to … apply for this grant by the end of the financial year. Men aged 63 and 64 qualify from this year. Those aged 62 and 61 will be eligible in 2009. By 2010, men, like women, may apply from the age of 60. © 2008 AVUSA, Inc