Full list of freebies and discounts for grandparents worth £7,722 including free bus pass and cinema tickets

Scottish Sun

5 days ago

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HELPING HAND Full list of freebies and discounts for grandparents worth £7,722 including free bus pass and cinema tickets
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MILLIONS of grandparents could be pocketing freebies and discounts worth an impressive £7,722.
From free passports and cinema tickets, to extra support from health services, there is plenty of support available when you are at an age where you have grandchildren.
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Grandparents can get thousands of pounds worth of freebies
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
National insurance exemption, £1,851
When you are at state pension age, you no longer need to pay National Insurance (NI).
The exact amount you save depends on the amount of money you earn.
An employee earning £40,000, for example, would pay £2,94 in National Insurance contributions over a year while someone earning £20,000 only has to pay £594.
The average weekly wage in the UK is £687, then the average grandparent over 60 stands to save £1,851.20 through NI exemptions.
Discounted travel, £1,084
Over 60s can get discounted travel which helps to save on everyday costs.
In England, pensioners are given a free bus pass.
In Wales and Scotland, there are free bus passes are also given to over 60s.
Transport for London also offers residents in the capital an Older Person's Freedom Pass and the 60+ Oyster card, which gives you free travel on any TfL service from Monday to Friday.
Since bus prices vary across the UK, so does the amount you stand to save but an annual bus pass in London costs £988.
Meanwhile, a senior railcard saves you can average of £96 annually and costs just £30.
When combining the railcard and bus pass savings, pensioners could save a massive £1,084.
Free eye test, £25
Anyone over the age of 60 is entitled to a free eye test, every two years.
All you need to do is book your appointment as normal and tell members of staff you are eligible for a free test.
Over 60s can save £25, while ensuring that they have good eye health.
Pension credit, £3,900
Pension Credit tops up the income of people on the state pension who need it.
You'll only qualify if your income is below a certain threshold.
However, for those who claim the help is worth an average £3,900 a year.
And it's not just the extra income that comes in handy, those on Pension Credit can then unlock further freebies and discounts.
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun's Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it's imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK's poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you're single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don't claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment - worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit - it's more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It's not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You'll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
Free TV licence, £174.50
Anyone who wants to watch the BBC, including its television channels, radio stations, iPlayer service and its news services needs to have a TV licence.
This is because the BBC is a publicly-owned broadcaster.
Most people need to pay but anyone over the age of 75 - who also claims Pension credit - can have the charge waived.
This could save you £174.50 a year.
Discounted broadband, £142.92
People who claim their Pension Credit can often qualify for cheaper broadband.
The cheapest plans available to pensioners cost just £14.99 a month, compared to the huge average cost of £26.90.
Over the span of a year, this means you stand to save £142.92.
Discounted water bills, £400
Social tariffs are available to those on low incomes to help them save on their water bills.
Providers offer different discounted rates, with some giving you money off the regular plan and others offering a lower cost service.
Bills under social tariffs for water are often no more than £200 a year, with the average water bill at more than £600, you stand to save £400.
Get in touch with your water provider for more information.
Free NHS dental treatment, £26.50
Anyone who claims Pension Credit is entitled to free NHS dental care.
Make sure to phone your dentist before hand to check whether you are eligible.
If you are, you could save £26.50 for a routine check up.
Some dental work, such as dentures, cost up to £3.19 though - meaning you could save hundreds.
Free passports, £94.50
Passports are offered for free by the Home Office to anyone born before September 2, 1929.
Although that means most people who are eligible for the discount are in their late 90s, it still allows Brits the chance to save £94.50.
Using the fast track service will still incur a charge though so give it plenty of time if you need to renew.
Discounted days out, £24
People of an older age are often able to claim special discounts which can help them save money on days out.
Also, you can even save on Interrail passes - which let you travel around Europe for free - by getting 10 per cent off.
Also you can get cheap cinema tickets.
Empire has special Senior screenings for over-60s every Wednesday morning and tickets cost £4.50.
Odeon also holds weekly Silver Cinema screenings for over-60s with ticket prices starting at £3.50.
Both cinemas also provide free refreshments too.
Plus, Vue cinemas senior screenings are discounted for over 60s and include a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Showcase offers senior admission every Monday to any standard film starting before 12pm and it costs £5.
You can find your nearest branches using the locator tool on the website.
Existing National Trust members aged 60 who have been a member for the last three years or more can get 25% off the price.
This means that you'll pay £72 for individual senior annual membership instead of £96 for an adult membership, saving £24.