Purpose: In 2004, Lesotho introduced a non-contributory Universal Old Age Pension to address intergenerational poverty and ensure their oldest people have access to income. The pension’s budget and monthly allowance have grown steadily since it was first introduced. Between 2015 and 2019, the allowance rose from 500 to 700 maloti, and the share of the social budget allocated to the pension scheme also increased by 19 percentage points, indicating the government’s continued commitment to the oldest citizens of Lesotho. As of 2019, the pension distributes 700 maloti or about $47 USD per month to older persons aged 70 and above who are not receiving another pension.

Outcome: Surveys of pension recipients have found that pensioners lead more financially secure, fulfilling lives. A 2015 survey of 215 pension recipients living in rural areas found that hunger and poverty were halved and that pensioners played an increased role in their communities and families, caring for dependent and orphaned children. Pensioners also contributed to household income, which allowed them to become active participants in household decision-making. However, recipients, particularly in urban areas, have reported that the pension is insufficient to meet all their basic needs. Despite these issues, the Old Age Pension provides evidence that even countries with limited financial resources can implement a non-contributory pension program.

Program Expansion: No

Purpose: To combat feelings of isolation, a peer-to-peer support program, called AgeWell, was piloted in 2014 among 212 older adults—all of whom were socially isolated and/or experiencing health issues—in vulnerable communities near Cape Town, South Africa. Twenty-eight AgeWell participants, called 'AgeWells' and who were mobile and active older adults, were matched with the participants. AgeWells were trained and paid to serve as companions to the participants, as well as to collaborate with their peers in establishing a 'Wellness Plan' for them. AgeWells were also trained to spot early signs of health issues among their peers, as well as to use mobile technology to report any issues with participants to social workers or primary care providers.

Outcome: The AgeWell pilot program was shown to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation, and improve mood and well-being among the participant older adults. Training AgeWells to spot early signs of health issues led to overall cost savings and better health outcomes for the participants. However, the AgeWells also benefitted from the program. One AgeWell said, “I am 70 years of age. I didn’t know that I would be able to do something like this, go about and try to soothe people, comfort people, make friendship[s] and improve wellbeing and everything. It gave me a fresh life again.”

Program Expansion: Unknown

Purpose: The UK Research and Innovation’s 'Healthy Ageing Challenge' is a public-private partnership that aims to support healthy aging in the UK. The Healthy Ageing Challenge will provide up to £40 million in funding for large-scale 'trailblazer projects' on healthy aging; £2 million for social, behavioral, and design research; and £4 million for social enterprises, in partnership with the UK’s Small Business Research Initiative.

Outcome: Supporting the Healthy Ageing Challenge are five private sector ‘investment partners’ that will collectively provide up to £39 million in grant funding over a three-year period for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop innovations for healthy aging. The investment partners are:

• Nesta, a UK-based impact investor that provides investment for social interest organizations across several sectors—health, education, food, climate, and the future of work and productivity. Nesta will commit up to £6 million to the Challenge.
• Northstar Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on entrepreneurs with innovative ideas across a range of sectors in the North East of England, will commit up to £3 million specifically for SMEs undertaking research and development projects.
• 24Haymarket, a venture capital firm that connects high-net-worth individual or family investors to its network of promising small-scale entrepreneurs, will contribute to grant funding for new and growing SMEs.
• Barclay Ventures, a business incubation lab started by Barclays Bank, will match funding for grants focused on health technology.
• Legal & General, the UK’s largest life insurance company, will contribute £6 million to SMEs focused on reducing the cost and occurrence of aging-related illnesses.

Program Expansion: Unknown