Last updated: 08/2/2024

Basic Information

Country
Geographic area
Population group
Elderly persons

Programme Details

Programme objectives

Enhancing the quality of life of the elderly population with the ultimate goal of lifting them out of poverty.

References
(i) ILO (2016). Universal Old Age: Lesotho. https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53518 Accessed : 5 November 2023 (ii) Mugomeri et al. 2017. Quality of Life of the Elderly Receiving Old Age Pension in Lesotho. Journal of Aging Social Policy 29 (4): 371-393. Accessible: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28535113/ Accessed: 5 November 2023
Programme components
Pensio scheme
References
ILO (2016). Universal Old Age: Lesotho. https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53518 Accessed : 5 November 2023
Start date
2004
References
Pension Watch. 2023. Lesotho: Country Fact File. Accessible: http://www.pension-watch.net/country-fact-file/lesotho Accessed: 5 November 2023
Coverage
83,751 persons (2017/18)
References
he World Bank. 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Programme expenditure
M707,195,200 (equivalent to USD51.8 million) in 2017/2018
References
 

Targeting and eligiblity

Targeting methods
Categorical Targeting
References
The World Bank . 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Targeted areas
Nationwide
References
ILO (2016). Universal Old Age: Lesotho. https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53518 Accessed : 5 November 2023
Target groups
Elderly persons
References
ILO (2016). Universal Old Age: Lesotho. https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53518 Accessed : 5 November 2023
Eligibility criteria
All Basotho 70 years old and over who are not receiving civil service pensions are eligible.
References
The World Bank 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023.

Coverage and other information

Type of benefits
Cash
Amount of benefits
Monthly cash grant of M800 (2021)
References
The World Bank. 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Payment/delivery frequency
Monthly
References
The World Bank. 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Benefit delivery mechanism
Disbursed by Ministry of Finance payment officers through 293 local pay points
References
The World Bank. 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Benefit recipients
Pensioners
References
The World Bank. 2021. Lesotho Social Protection Programs and Systems Review. The World Bank, Washington. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf Accessed 5 November 2023
Legal Framework
Old Age Pensions Act (Act No. 3 of 2005).
References
ILO. 2023. Old Age Pensions Act (Act. No. 3 of 2005). Lesotho: Social Security (general standards). NATLEX. Accessible: http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=73256&p_classification=15 Accessed: 5 November 2023.
MIS
National Information System for Social Assistance (NISSA) for the registry of poor and vulnerable households
References
Pace, N., Daidone, S., Bhalla, G. and Prifti, E. 2021. Evaluation of Lesotho’s Child Grants Programme (CGP) and Sustainable Poverty Reduction through Income, Nutrition and Access to Government Services (SPRINGS) project. Rome, FAO and UNICEF. Accessible: https://www.fao.org/3/cb4862en/cb4862en.pdf Accessed: 5 November 2023