The Benefits of Getting Older
And you thought there weren’t any! So you’ve turned 60, or been there for some time (even if you don’t admit it to anyone), and were despairing that there weren’t any benefits to getting older, other than the occasional discount on pensioners day at the local supermarket.
I’ve been told that some of the benefits of being a pensioner include:
- You are likely to be released first in a hostage situation;
- No one expects you to run into a burning building;
- You have a party and the neighbours don’t even realise it, so you don’t have to invite them;
- Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them.
And the list goes on…
While many readers can easily add to the anecdotal list above, you may not realise that as a pensioner (you must be over 60 years old though), you may be entitled to a rebate on your rates for your property.
To quote from the City of Joburg website: “The City is sensitive to the needs of its senior citizens. Registered property owners who are pensioners may apply for a reduction of rates, subject to certain criteria.”
Pensioner’s rebate application forms are available from any municipal Customer Service Centre, or download it from the website or even better, ask a grandchild to download it from the website for you, it will give you an excuse to spend more time with them.
As a Pensioner you will qualify for a rebate if:
- You are the owner of the property in respect of which the rates are charged; and
- You live on the property; and
- You are at least 60 years old; and
- The total value of your property as per the General Valuation Roll, that is, the land plus the improvements, is under R1 500 000;and
- You are dependent on a national security grant – in which case you will get a 100 percent rebate (subject to criteria); or
- You have a gross monthly earnings of less than R5 000 a month – you will get a 100 percent rebate (subject to criteria); or
- Your gross monthly earnings are higher than R5 000 but less than R9 000 a month – you will then be able to get a 50 percent rebate (subject to criteria).
Your rebate will be valid for two years after it has been approved, so remember to re-apply timeously.
So carry on enjoying that …..
- You can get away with all sorts of stuff under the guise of senility.
- You drive down the street and people get out of the way.
- Your spouse still snores, but you can’t hear it.
- You are less likely to be subjected to a strip search at the airport.
This article was prepared by:
Nichola Wolff
Thomson Wilks Inc
Tel 27 (0) 11 784 8984
Fax 27 (0) 11 883 8660
Website www.thomsonwilks.co.za
23 Impala Road, Chislehurston, Sandton
P O Box 3242, Parklands, 2121
