Pensioners must prepare for a difficult festive season

Regardless of your income, South Africans love the festive season.

It’s the one time of the year when people let go of their stresses and try to enjoy themselves.

But decisions made by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) mean this festive season will be especially harsh on pensioners.

Prepare for a harsh November and December

This year, everything is working against pensioners.

Besides pensioner inflation rising, which could reach 6% by December, SASSA has announced a date change for the Older Person’s Grant.

They’ll be pushing up the dates because of the provincial elections in November.

But paying the grant 6 days earlier will affect the remaining payout dates and how long pensioners must survive on the R2 400 payment.

This will strain budgets.

Between 30 October and the next payment date in December, there are 33 days.

For a full calendar month, pensioners will get nothing.

Then pensioners will struggle again in December.

There are 35 days between the December and January payout.

In November, pensioners will be living on R72 a day.

In December, they’ll be living on R68 a day.

But pensioners can avoid some difficulty by preparing.

How Pensioners Can Prepare

Being paid at the end of October means pensioners can use some month-end promotions.

They can take advantage of lower prices.

South African retailers have been absorbing rising fuel costs. But that is quickly coming to an end.

Petrol prices are expected to rise again in November, so being paid in October does mean pensioners can avoid that increase.

Those who want to buy in bulk can also benefit from the last few days of October promotions.

Shops like Makro, for example, create a 3-month catalogue: their More4Less specials. The recent specials end on 31 October 2026.

Prices starting in November could be higher, because transportation and import costs are increasing.

But retailers will also be preparing for the festive period and days like Black Friday by slightly raising prices.

To avoid these pricing tactics, pensioners should consider doing some of their December grocery shopping in October.