In Argentina, for instance, where a programme oriented to expand coverage to the elderly with insufficient contributory records was implemented in recent years, the majority of new benefits were received by women and women’s pension coverage rate at age 65 increased to 92.4 per cent in 2010 (Rofman and Oliveri 2011, see also MTEySS 2012:19, Arza 2012c). In Africa, contributory pensions cover a very limited percentage of the population and most people work beyond the legal retirement age or depend on family help during old age. In the past decades, several African countries have developed NC pensions that have achieved high coverage rates either under means-tested or universal designs. Mauritius and South Africa have been pioneers in this regard. The South African older persons grant was initially introduced in 1928 as a social safety net for white people not covered by occupational pensions. It was later gradually extended to the black majority, initially under different conditions and benefit levels, to finally reach full parity.