Now that you’re getting ready to step into your retirement chapter, it’s only natural to wonder whether you can claim UIF or perhaps even qualify for a SASSA grant?

According to Reuters (2025), during the second quarter of 2025, South Africa's official unemployment rate stood at 33.2%, with approximately 8.37 million South Africans being unemployed. With that staggering number, the short answer is whether you can claim from UIF or qualify for a SASSA grant depends on your work history, your age, and your income/assets.

UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) at retirement

UIF is designed to help workers who become unemployed, but many people are surprised that under certain conditions, you can also apply for UIF when you retire.

To qualify for the UIF retirement benefits, the following conditions apply:

• You must have been contributing to UIF during your employment.
• You are retiring before the official pensionable age in your industry (often referred to as “early retirement” or “forced retirement”).
• You are capable of working and are actively looking for a job after retiring from your current role.

You will not qualify for UIF if:

• You retire at the official retirement age and do not intend to work again.
• You have not been contributing to UIF (e.g., certain government employees or self-employed individuals).

How to claim UIF when retiring:

• Visit your nearest labour centre within 6 months of stopping work.
• Take your ID, last 6 pay slips, completed UI-19 form from your employer, and proof of banking details.
• Register as a work seeker.

Just remember: If you receive a pension or annuity that is considered your permanent income, you generally can’t claim UIF, unless you meet the specific criteria for unemployment after retirement.

SASSA (South African Social Security Agency) Old Age Grant

The SASSA Old Age Grant, often referred to as a state pension, is different from UIF. It’s meant for South African citizens or permanent residents who are 60 years or older and need financial assistance in retirement. You may qualify for the SASSA Old Age Grant if:

• You are a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee living in SA.
• You are 60 years or older.
• You do not receive another social grant for yourself.
• You meet the means test (your income and assets must be below a certain threshold).

Current means test limits (as of 2025):

• Single person: Earn less than R8,070 per month and have assets worth less than R1,372,800.
• Married couple: Combined earnings less than R16,140 per month and assets worth less than R2,745,600.

How to apply for the SASSA Old Age Grant:

• Apply in person at your nearest SASSA office or online via the SASSA services portal.
• Take your South African ID, proof of income, proof of assets, and proof of marital status.
• There is no fee to apply.

Can you get both UIF and SASSA?

The short answer: yes, but not at the same time for the same period. You could claim UIF if you are actively seeking work after early retirement.

Later, when you reach 60 (and meet the means test) you can apply for the SASSA Old Age Grant but you cannot receive full UIF payments and the SASSA Old Age Grant simultaneously for the same months.