Social security in the elderly population of South Africa (2017- 2018)
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Date
2023
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Publisher
University of the Wstern Cape
Abstract
This study examines the extent to which individuals aged sixty and above mobilise resources to
ensure social security. It addresses the overall question: what are the sources of income and
other assets individuals have at their disposal to cushion themselves against poverty in old
age? With the present economic decline and an increase in social assistance expenditure, the
role of social security in reducing poverty becomes dominant. Social security is understood to
serve as an instrument that protects one against income insecurity caused by possibilities such
as maternity, unemployment, old age and death in the way of insurance. Social security covers
people at different phases of their lives, including the old age pension. Individuals above the
age of sixty receive a pension from the government that enhances other aspects of their wellbeing,
including their health status. However, very little is known about the social security
form.
Hence, the focus is on the diversity of social security mechanisms among people aged sixty and
above. The General Housing Survey data sets, conducted in 2016 and 2018, were used to
prepare a quantitative cross-sectional analysis at two points in time, namely 2016 and 2018.
To test the hypotheses, the following measurable variables for social security were explored:
pension, social relief, old age grant, war veteran grant, social grant and grant in aid. The
objective of the study is aimed to demonstrate that access to various forms of social security is
associated with socio-demographic variables such as age, sex, province and participation in
the labour force, to name but a few. A few implications are derived from the analysis of policy
directives.
Description
Keywords
Elderly, Old age pension, Poverty, Retirement, Social protection, Social security, Welfare state.