MILLIONS of pensioners are eligible for freebies and discounts worth up to £7,448 this October.
Benefits include free NHS prescriptions and eye tests, as well as extra support for your broadband and water bills.
People over 60 are eligible for a range of discounts and freebies[/caption]
Here are the main discounts and freebies available to pensioners this month.
Free NHS prescriptions
You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are aged 60 or over and live in England, Scotland or Wales.
If you get NHS prescriptions regularly and pay a set price through an annual prepayment certificate, you could save £114.50.
Free eye tests
All over-60s qualify for a free eye test every two years.
They typically cost between £20 and £25, which you can save by booking your appointment with your local store and informing members of staff that you are eligible for a free test.
Free passport
You can get a free passport if you are a British national born on or before 2 September 1929.
This can save you £94.50 if you’re planning to get a standard 34-page passport.
However, if you need to use the fast track service you’ll still need to pay.
Discount travel
In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the state pension age.
In Wales you can get one when you turn 60.
In London, you can claim an Older Person’s Freedom Pass.
This is available to all London residents over the age of 66.
The pass entitles you to free travel on transport services across London, such as the bus, tram, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line.
The only exception to this is if you travel between 04:30 and 09:00 Monday to Friday.
Travel remains free at any time on weekends.
The same rules apply for National Rail services in London.
If you are over 60 and live in a London borough, you can get a 60+ Oyster photocard until you’re eligible for a Freedom Pass.
The value of your savings depends on the cost of a bus pass in your local area.
In London, an annual bus and tram pass will set you back £988.
You could also get a senior railcard if you are 60 years or over.
This costs £35 but will save you a third on most rail fares throughout Great Britain.
It is estimated to save you an average of up to £112 a year.
When combining the bus pass and rail card savings, pensioners could save an annual total of £1,065.
Discounted days out and cinema tickets
If you are over 60, you can get discounts on days out.
The National Trust offers 25% off your subscription if you are an existing member aged 60 or over, and you’ve been a member for at least the last three consecutive years.
An annual adult membership costs £96, which means that the discount will save you £24.
Cinemas will often offer cheaper tickets too.
Odeon holds Silvers screenings for over-60s with ticket prices starting at £3.50.
And the price includes tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film.
Cineworld has weekly screenings for those over 60 too, with tickets priced at £4.50.
Their offer also includes complimentary hot drinks and biscuits.
National Insurance exemption
Many choose to keep working past the state pension age, but once you hit entitlement to your state pension you no longer need to pay National Insurance.
How much you save depends on how much you earn.
For example, someone earning £40,000 will pay £2,194 in primary Class 1 National Insurance contributions over a year, while someone on £20,000 will pay £594, according to data from Tax.org.uk.
So, if you were to earn an average of £687 a week, you could save £1851 per year in National Insurance exemptions.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit becomes available if you are over state pension age.
It tops up the income of pensioners on lower earnings.
This will take your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner.
This means that the amount of Pension Credit you could get depends on your income.
But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says the average reward is worth more than £3,900 a year.
And once you get Pension Credit you become eligible for a host of other freebies and discounts, which we detail below.
Free TV licence
You can apply for a free TV licence if you are 75 years or older and receive Pension Credit.
This will save you £174.50 per year.
Free NHS dental treatment
You are also entitled to free NHS dental care if you claim Pension Credit.
Depending on the treatment, this could save you anywhere from £27.40 for an examination or X-ray to £326.70 for dental work including crowns or dentures.
Discounted broadband
Many broadband providers offer discounted social broadband tariffs for those on certain benefits, including Pension Credit.
The cheapest plans available to pensioners cost as little as £12.50 per month, as compared to the average broadband cost of £26.90 per month.
Over the year, this means you could save £172.80.
Discounted water bills
Social tariff schemes are available to those on a low income to help them save on their water bills.
Discounts vary depending on the provider.
Some offer a flat rate, while others will give a percentage discount.
Contact your supplier to find out what options are available.
How do I apply for pension credit?
YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
