Work

Who Benefits—Or Does not—From South Africa’s Old Age Pension? Evidence from Characteristics of Rural Pensioners and Non-Pensioners

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Social protection grants play a critical role in survival and livelihoods of elderly individuals in South Africa. Rarely is it possible to assess how well a social program reaches its target population. Using a 2010 survey and Agincourt Health Demographic Surveillance System census data we conduct multivariate logistic regression to predict pension receipt in rural South Africa. We find only 80% of age-eligible individuals report pension receipt. Pension non-recipients tend to be male, have poor socio-economic status, live in smaller households, be of Mozambican origin, and have poorer physical function; while older persons living in households receiving other grants are more likely to report pension receipt. We conclude that a reservoir of older persons exists who meet eligibility criteria but who are not yet receiving pensions. Ensuring that they and their households are properly linked to all available social services--whether for child or old-age social grants--is likely to have beneficial and synergistic effects.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13010085

Authors: Margaret Ralston, Enid Schatz, Jane Menken, Francesc Gómez-Olivé, Stephen Tollman

Institutions: Mississippi State University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Missouri, Umeå University

Language: English

Topic: Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,016