16 little-known discounts and freebies for over 60s – from cheap footie tickets to cut price meals out
YOU are only as old as you feel, but when you hit 60 there are financial benefits to owning your new age.
Many companies give discounts to older customers to encourage them to spend, although they are not always well advertised.
Some of the most valuable start when you hit 60, while there are many more that kick in at 65 or state pension age — now 66.
Rosie Murray-West rounds up the best discounts . . .
TRANSPORT
60+ Oyster Card/Freedom Pass: Over-60s living in London are eligible for this card which costs £20 initially but gives free travel on the Tube, DLR, most London National Rail services and the bus and tram. There are some restrictions, as you cannot travel on the Tube before 9am or on National Rail services before 9.30am. Once you have the card, you can renew it annually for £10 until you reach the age of 66, when you will be eligible for a free Freedom Pass.
Free travel in Liverpool: Mersey-travel offers free bus, train and Mersey ferry services to anyone over 60 who lives in Merseyside.
National Express Coachcard: A £15 Senior Coachcard from National Express gives a third off all journeys.
National Rail Senior Railcard: Over-60s can buy a £30 annual Senior Railcard or £70 three-year Senior Railcard, giving a third off rail travel. The only restriction is morning peak-time services within London and the South East where the discount cannot be used.
Free bus passes in Scotland and Wales: Those over 60 can apply for these if they live in Scotland or Wales — for similar in England you have to be 66.
DAYS OUT
National Trust Senior Membership: If you have been a National Trust member for three consecutive years and are over 60, you qualify for a discounted Senior Membership, with 25 per cent off normal adult rates.
This costs £68.40 for an individual or £113.40 for a couple.
A similar deal with English Heritage is not available until you are 65.
Discounted cinema tickets: Most cinema chains run discounts for over-60s, though you may have to attend at certain times.
Picture-house has a free-to-join Silver Screen Club with various discounted tickets, while Odeon Silvers £3.50 tickets include free hot drinks and biscuits as well as the film.
Everyman offers a free slice of cake and a hot drink to those attending weekly Silver Screen matinees, if they are over 55.
Football season ticket discounts: Many football clubs offer senior season tickets with significant discounts, but most fans will need to wait until they are 65.
Sheffield United is an exception to the rule – its discount starts when you hit 60.
Senior discounts can be substantial – current season ticket holders at Arsenal get nearly 60 per cent off, while there is a 20 per cent discount on general admission tickets.
Newcastle United supporters aged over 65 enjoy a 20-per-cent discount.
EATING OUT
Many restaurants and pubs offer smaller portions and cheaper menus for over-60s.
It is worth asking in your local pub or fish-and-chips shop. as they often have deals.
For example, Greene King pubs usually have a Senior Menu with reduced prices for over-60s, while Asda’s cafe has ten per cent off for over-60s on Wednesdays.
HEALTH
NHS prescriptions: These are always free in Wales and Scotland, but do not become so in England until you turn 60. Those living in Wales can get free dental examinations once they turn 60.
Eye tests and glasses: Eye tests are free on the NHS once you turn 60 and can be taken at almost any optician. Specsavers offers over-60s 20 per cent off glasses that cost £70 or more, including frames and extras.
Gyms: Many fitness centres, whether run by the local council or third-party providers, offer senior discounts. The Better chain, which runs many council facilities, offers senior membership to those aged over 66, while Everyone Active also has a senior discount for the over-66 crowd. Other gym providers, such as Mytime, offer discounts starting from age 60.
SHOPPING
Discount access: Sign up to the website over60sdiscounts.co.uk to land some great money-saving deals in later life. You can get access to discounts such as five per cent off large appliances at Currys and ten per cent off Samsung TVs at AO.com.
Iceland and Food Warehouse: Both offer a ten-per-cent discount on Tuesdays to over-60s if you have ID which clearly shows your date of birth.
Car services: Servicing group ATS Euromaster offers discounts to those who join its Club 60 group. These include 15 per cent off servicing, and air-conditioning recharges for £49.
Double Boots points: The chemist chain offers double Advantage card points to over-60s on Boots own-brands and some other products if you sign up to its Over 60s scheme.
GRANDCHILD CARE ADDS UP
THOUSANDS of grandparents have boosted their state pension by £6,000 – but it is thought many more could be missing out on much needed extra cash.
According to HMRC figures acquired by investment firm Quilter, around 123,000 family members helping to care for children have successfully boosted their state pension entitlement.
You need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for the full pension.
Grandparents who have a gap in their record and take over caring duties while parents go to work can get a NI credit transferred – but they need to apply.
This is known as Specified Adult Childcare Credit and can be claimed where working parents are receiving child benefit.
The extra benefit can increase a state pension by £328 annually or thousands of pounds over the course of retirement.
Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter says: “The number of people applying for the credit has been steadily climbing and last year saw the most people apply on record, with this year set to top that.
“But it’s thought that many more could be taking advantage.
“These credits are not only crucial for securing the full state pension if you have gaps in your National Insurance record, they are also a more cost-effective method of doing so, versus paying to fill in missed years.”
For more information see gov.uk, complete the CA9176 form and post it to HMRC.
- Lana Clements
HIGH FEES HIT PENSIONS
SAVERS could end up £37,000 worse off in retirement due to rip-off pension charges.
People with multiple workplace pensions over their career could have their savings eaten away by “hidden” fees.
When you join a new company, you are usually “automatically enrolled” into its workplace pension scheme – which levies a charge to help cover costs.
Most firms charge between 0.25% and 1% for an annual management fee – but some charge as much as 2.5%.
Digital wealth manager Moneyfarm has warned these costs deducted throughout the life of an investment can have a lasting impact.
Carina Chambers, pensions expert at Moneyfarm said that while the difference between 2.5% and 1% doesn’t seem much, it can have a big impact.
This is because it’s invested over a long period and interest compounds. Carina used the example of a 40-year-old’s £40,000 pension pot with 5% annual growth coupled with a 2.5% management charge could be worth £78,000 if they retired at 67. The same pension pot with a 1% annual fee could be worth £115,000.
“That small 1.5% difference could mean an extra £37,000 in your pension,” said Carina.
Because of the difference a few percentage points can make, it’s important to shop around, say Moneyfarm.
Consolidating your pension pots would also mean you’re not stuck paying multiple fees.
- Ellie Smitherman