Retirement age calculator · South Africa
The earliest age you can claim a pension, the age for a full pension, and what each one pays. Change your age in the calculator below.
About ZAR 20,688 net a month at 60, in today’s money. Assumes you started work at 22; change it in the calculator below.
What each age pays ↓…
Retirement age in South Africa: when you can claim your pension
When you can retire depends on your year of birth and how many years you have been insured. The calculator above shows the earliest age and the age for a full pension, and what each age would pay.
The rules in brief
- Retirement funds: Retirement income comes mainly from employer pension and provident funds and retirement annuities. Since the two-pot system (September 2024) a third of new contributions goes to a savings pot that can be withdrawn early and two thirds to a retirement pot that must buy an annuity at retirement (usually 55 to 65).
Earliest and full pension, by year of birth
| Born in | Earliest pension | Full pension |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | – | age 61, in 2026 |
| 1970 | – | age 60, in 2030 |
| 1975 | – | age 60, in 2035 |
| 1980 | – | age 60, in 2040 |
| 1985 | – | age 60, in 2045 |
| 1991 | – | age 60, in 2051 |
| 1995 | – | age 60, in 2055 |
| 2000 | – | age 60, in 2060 |
Assumes work from age 22 without gaps.
Example: born in 1991, what each age pays
| Claim at age | Year | Change | Net a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 2051 | full pension | ZAR 20,688 |
| 61 | 2052 | full pension | ZAR 22,207 |
| 62 | 2053 | full pension | ZAR 23,895 |
| 63 | 2054 | full pension | ZAR 25,778 |
| 64 | 2055 | full pension | ZAR 27,814 |
| 65 | 2056 | full pension | ZAR 30,851 |
| 66 | 2057 | full pension | ZAR 32,186 |
| 67 | 2058 | full pension | ZAR 33,709 |
| 68 | 2059 | full pension | ZAR 35,463 |
| 69 | 2060 | full pension | ZAR 37,396 |
| 70 | 2061 | full pension | ZAR 39,626 |
Career from age 22 with the calculator’s example pay; amounts in today’s money.
Frequently asked questions
When can I retire in South Africa?
At 60 if you were born in 1991.
Rules and official sources: see “Rules applied (2026)” in the calculator. Last checked: October 2026. Estimates for information, not financial advice.
Other questions about pay in South Africa: What is my hourly wage? · What is the minimum wage after tax? · What do I take home part-time? · How much unemployment benefit would I get? · How much notice must my employer give? · What is my money worth after inflation?
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