Poverty amongst households receiving the state’s old-age pension grant: the case of Kwakwatsi (Free State, South Africa)

Abstract

The study reported in this article, investigated the level of poverty amongst households receiving the state’s old-age pension grant in Kwakwatsi. A questionnaire for measuring poverty was administered to households dependent on the state’s old-age pension grant as the main source of income. The results of the study showed that 66.2% of surveyed households live in poverty. The average poverty gap was R858 (122 USD), with the poverty gap ratio of 35%. The state’s old-age pension grant plays an important role in the reduction of the impact of poverty amongst these households. However, the grant is not adequate to have a profound impact on poverty levels amongst its recipients; largely due to the need to support additional family members. Information provided by the research is meant to highlight trends amongst households receiving the state’s old-age pension grant.