Latest news with #SeniorRailcard
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Over 60s urged to take advantage of little-known freebies and discounts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Anyone over 60 is being urged to take advantage of a host of little-known freebies and discounts you may already be missing out on. While some may think the bargains begin rolling in once you are officially of pension age, 66, there are actually eight main offers you should be thinking about before then. Prescription medication is free for anyone who is 60 or over, and all you have to do to start receiving your medical items for free is to inform the chemist at the till and complete the back of the prescription, according to Lancs Live. Proof of age may be needed to show the pharmacist you are of the correct age, but this tip is worth noting as paying for a prescription can set you back around £9.90 each time. READ MORE: State pensioners warned as key DWP payment rises could take 'six to eight months' And in a similar vein to free prescriptions, eye tests also become free on your 60th birthday. This change could save you between £20 and £100 dependent on the optician you visit, and it is advised to bring your identification with you in case you are questioned about your age. Unfortunately, you do not automatically receive financial aid with the price of glasses, but there are certain opticians who may do discounts. For example, Specsavers offers those over 60 to snag 20 per cent off if a pair of glasses is bought from the £70 range or above. This handing saving applies to frames, lenses and any other add-ons, such as lens protection treatments or sun protection. Another bonus of celebrating your 60th year around the sun is discounted rail travel. By applying for a Senior Railcard, anyone aged 60 or over can enjoy a third off all Standard and First Class tickets on Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares. The railcard can be used at almost any time during the year, including on weekends and public holidays. However, it is advised those with the railcard avoid travelling at Peak times, Monday to Friday, when when journeys are made entirely within the London and South East Network Railcard area, as these are not included. The Senior Railcard website includes more information on travel conditions. Public transport rights also extend to bus passes when you turn 60. Many UK residents qualify for free bus travel at 60, but this heavily depends on where you live. READ MORE: State pension warning as key date for 'people working longer' arrives For example, residents in Wales and those living in London (travelling within the city) can get one at 60. According to Transport for West Midlands, when you receive your bus pass corresponds to the age you qualify for a pension. In addition to public transport hacks, shops like Iceland also do a deal for those who have turned 60. A 10 per cent discount is offered every Tuesday at stores across the country, but customers must have an Iceland Bonus Card and may need to show proof of their age such as a senior bus pass, driving licence or Senior Railcard. Boots also offers an over 60s reward programme shoppers are advised to get involved with as this membership can lead to invites to exclusive events, and extra points at services such as Boots Hearingcare. Finally, for those looking to spend some time relaxing at the cinema, some cinemas offer discount programmes for individuals over 60. Odeon's Silver Cinema Club offers discount tickets, at just £3.50 for entry, with special film screenings during quieter times aimed at more mature audiences. Perks such as free tea, coffee and biscuits before the film starts are also included in the small fee.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
State pensioners could be missing out on support worth £7,814
There is plenty of DWP support available to state pensioners that they may be unaware of State pensioners could be entitled to a variety of freebies they know nothing about and never have to repay. Support is on offer covering a variety of areas. There is help available for transport and passports. There is also support on offer for TV licences and prescriptions. Other health help is also there to check out. And there are exemptions and credits that could also bring in very useful sums. The State Pension isn't means-tested but support levels vary. The amount you receive is based on the number of qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions or credits you've accumulated. To qualify for any State Pension payment, you'll need at least 10 years' worth and around 35 for the maximum amount. As a result, some people not meeting these benchmarks may be in real need of other forms of help. Making the most of nine support schemes worth a maximum of £7,814 can help ease cost pressures significantly It can also hopefully enhance your quality of life without you having to spend more, reports Birmingham Live. Discounted travel - £1,084 The Senior Railcard offers a third off train fares. It costs £30 but the average cardholder saves £96 annually. Add that to the cost of bus travel and you see savings of more than £1,000. Age UK offer support through our free Advice Line. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. Free passport - £94.50 Eligible seniors can get a free passport worth £94.50, saving a tidy sum if you were born before the 2nd of September, 1929. Not only do qualifying Brits get to skip the fee, but they also enjoy complimentary Post Office Check and Send services as well as secure delivery. The government rolled out this offer in 2004 to honour British citizens who were at least 75 years old "in grateful commemoration for their wartime efforts", specifically aiming to recognise those aged 16 or older by war's end. There have been periodic calls to broaden this policy to offer all elders free passports, but officials keep giving it the thumbs-down. They warn it could force fees up for others seeking passports. Free prescriptions – worth £114.50 annually Everyone aged over 60 gets free prescriptions. If you're under 60 you can save money on prescriptions by buying prescription prepayment certificates from the NHS for 3 or 12 months. This covers all your prescriptions for that period, regardless of how many you need. If you're 60 or over you're also entitled to a free NHS sight test, so you should let your optician know when you reach 60. If you need regular prescriptions and buy an annual prepayment certificate, you can save up to £114.50 annually. Free eye tests - £25 All over-60s qualify for free NHS eye tests, which typically cost between £20 and £25. If you're 60 or over you might need to show proof of age to the pharmacist to get free prescriptions. You need to show your benefit award letter to health care staff when you book or attend an appointment. If you qualify through the NHS Low Income Scheme you'll either get a HC2 certificate that entitles you to full help or a HC3 certificate for partial help with health costs. Tell staff you have a certificate when you book an appointment and bring it with you to your appointment. National Insurance exemption – £1,851.20 Someone earning £20,000 a year currently pays £594 in primary Class 1 NICs, while an employee earning £40,000 this year will pay £2,194, according to data from The average weekly wage in the UK according to the ONS is £687 for total earnings which would mean a typical £1,851.20 in National Insurance, which you save after State Pension Age. Pension Credit - £4,300 Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a low income. It comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension. By claiming Pension Credit, you might become eligible for other benefits too, such as help with health and housing costs. You'll be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, worth £300. You have nothing to lose by applying, and potentially a lot to gain – and if you've previously been turned down, you can still make a new claim each year. Free TV licence - £174.50 If you're 75 or over and on Pension Credit, you can bag a free TV licence, saving you a tidy £174.50 annually. With Pension Credit, you'll also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment during particularly chilly spells. Only those who have hit state pension age and are entitled to a means-tested benefit will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, an annual sum to help with heating costs during the frosty months. Free NHS dental treatment – save £26.80 You'll qualify for help with the above NHS costs if either you or your partner receive Pension Credit. Even if you don't receive it but are on a low income, you may still be eligible for some assistance with health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. You can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme online or by post. Discounted broadband – save £142.92 Many broadband providers offer discounted social tariffs for those on a tight budget. These plans often cost as little as £14.99 per month, compared to the average broadband cost of £26.90 per month, and usually include line rental too. Over the course of a year, this could save you £142.92.
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
10 freebies and discounts for pensioners worth £7,437 in May including free passports and cinema tickets
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of pensioners can ease pressure on budgets with free cash, and discounts stacking up to thousands of pounds worth of value. Britons reaching state pension age can unlock a range of freebies through various schemes from companies and the government. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Pensioners can get a whole range of freebies to ease cost pressures Credit: Getty Making the most of perks can help ease cost pressures as well as enhancing the quality of life without spending more. The range from public transport helping you to get out and about, to council tax discounts which keeps more cash in your budget each month. Here's guide to the freebies and discounts available for pensioners this May. Discounted days out and cinema tickets - £24 If you're over 60, you can get discounted days out and 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. Discounted travel - £1,084 In England you can get an older persons bus pass for free travel when you reach state pension age, for both men and women. In Wales and Scotland you can get a free bus pass when you reach 60. Anyone over the age of 60 who lives in London can claim an Older Person's Freedom Pass. This allows you to travel free on TfL services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holiday There are further other schemes that run across the country, check with your local council to see what financial support is available. The value depends on how much a bus pass is in your local area. In London an annual bus and tram pass is £988. If you often travel on trains, the Senior Railcard offers a third off train fares. It costs £30 but the average cardholder saves £96 annually, add that to the cost of bus travel and you see savings of more than £1,000. Free passport - £94.50 British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 can skip the charges of a passport and get one for free. This saves a pensioner up to £94.50. However, if you need to use the fast track service you'll still need to pay. Free prescriptions – worth £114.50 annually Once you turn 60, prescriptions are free across England, Scotland, and Wales. If you need regular prescriptions and buy an annual prepayment certificate, you can save up to £114.50 annually. Free Eye Tests - £25 All over-60s qualify for free NHS eye tests, which typically cost between £20 and £25. You should schedule a check-up once a year, as well as testing your eyesight, it also checks overall eye health. National insurance exemption – £1,851.20 Many choose to keep working past state pension age, but as you have reached entitlement to the state pension you no longer need to pay National Insurance. The amount you save depends on how much you earn. But to give you an idea, someone earning £20,000 a year currently pays £594 in primary Class 1 NICs, while an employee earning £40,000 this year will pay £2,194, according to data from And the average weekly wage in the UK according to the ONS is £687 for total earnings which would mean a typical £1,851.20 in National Insurance, which you save after State Pension Age. Pension Credit - £3,900 When you reach state pension the benefits you are entitled to change. It's important to claim what you can as these are often the gateway for getting further discounts and freebies. This is particularly the case with Pension Credit, which hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners are failing to claim. It tops up the income of pensioners on lower earnings. It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you're single or joint income to £332.95. The exact value will depend on your income but DWP says the average reward is worth more than £3,900 a year. 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. Once you get pension credit you qualify for a while host of extra freebies, which we lay out below. Free TV licence - £174.50 If you're 75 or over and you receive Pension Credit you can claim a free TV licence, saving you £174.50 a year. Free NHS dental treatment – save £26.80 If you or your partner claim Pension Credit, you're entitled to free NHS dental care. Depending on the treatment, this could save you anywhere from £26.80 for a routine check-up to £319.10 for dental work such as crowns or dentures. Tell your dentist about your eligibility before receiving treatment. Discounted broadband – save £142.92 Many broadband providers offer discounted social tariffs for those on low income. Often you may need to be on certain benefits such as Pension Credit to qualify. These plans often cost as little as £14.99 per month, compared to the average broadband cost of £26.90 per month, and they usually include line rental too. Over the year, this could save you £142.92. Discounted water bills If you're on a low income, ask your water provider about social tariffs, which can knock hundreds of pounds of your bill. Discounts vary depending on the provider, and some offer a flat rate, while others will give a percentage discount. Contact your supplier to find out what's available. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
10 freebies and discounts for pensioners worth £7,437 in May including free passports and cinema tickets
MILLIONS of pensioners can ease pressure on budgets with free cash, and discounts stacking up to thousands of pounds worth of value. Britons reaching state pension age can unlock a range of freebies through various schemes from companies and the government. 1 Making the most of perks can help ease cost pressures as well as enhancing the quality of life without spending more. The range from public transport helping you to get out and about, to council tax discounts which keeps more cash in your budget each month. Here's guide to the freebies and discounts available for pensioners this May. Discounted days out and cinema tickets - £24 If you're over 60, you can get discounted days out and 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. Discounted travel - £1,084 In England you can get an older persons bus pass for free travel when you reach state pension age, for both men and women. In Wales and Scotland you can get a free bus pass when you reach 60. Anyone over the age of 60 who lives in London can claim an Older Person's Freedom Pass. This allows you to travel free on TfL services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holiday There are further other schemes that run across the country, check with your local council to see what financial support is available. The value depends on how much a bus pass is in your local area. In London an annual bus and tram pass is £988. If you often travel on trains, the Senior Railcard offers a third off train fares. It costs £30 but the average cardholder saves £96 annually, add that to the cost of bus travel and you see savings of more than £1,000. Free passport - £94.50 British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 can skip the charges of a passport and get one for free. This saves a pensioner up to £94.50. However, if you need to use the fast track service you'll still need to pay. Free prescriptions – worth £114.50 annually Once you turn 60, prescriptions are free across England, Scotland, and Wales. If you need regular prescriptions and buy an annual prepayment certificate, you can save up to £114.50 annually. Free Eye Tests - £25 All over-60s qualify for free NHS eye tests, which typically cost between £20 and £25. You should schedule a check-up once a year, as well as testing your eyesight, it also checks overall eye health. National insurance exemption – £1,851.20 Many choose to keep working past state pension age, but as you have reached entitlement to the state pension you no longer need to pay National Insurance. The amount you save depends on how much you earn. But to give you an idea, someone earning £20,000 a year currently pays £594 in primary Class 1 NICs, while an employee earning £40,000 this year will pay £2,194, according to data from And the average weekly wage in the UK according to the ONS is £687 for total earnings which would mean a typical £1,851.20 in National Insurance, which you save after State Pension Age. Pension Credit - £3,900 When you reach state pension the benefits you are entitled to change. It's important to claim what you can as these are often the gateway for getting further discounts and freebies. This is particularly the case with Pension Credit, which hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners are failing to claim. It tops up the income of pensioners on lower earnings. It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you're single or joint income to £332.95. The exact value will depend on your income but DWP says the average reward is worth more than £3,900 a year. 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. Once you get pension credit you qualify for a while host of extra freebies, which we lay out below. Free TV lic ence - £174.50 If you're 75 or over and you receive Pension Credit you can claim a free TV licence, saving you £174.50 a year. Free NHS dental treatment – save £26.80 If you or your partner claim Pension Credit, you're entitled to free NHS dental care. Depending on the treatment, this could save you anywhere from £26.80 for a routine check-up to £319.10 for dental work such as crowns or dentures. Tell your dentist about your eligibility before receiving treatment. Discounted broadband – save £142.92 Many broadband providers offer discounted social tariffs for those on low income. Often you may need to be on certain benefits such as Pension Credit to qualify. These plans often cost as little as £14.99 per month, compared to the average broadband cost of £26.90 per month, and they usually include line rental too. Over the year, this could save you £142.92. Discounted water bills If you're on a low income, ask your water provider about social tariffs, which can knock hundreds of pounds of your bill. Discounts vary depending on the provider, and some offer a flat rate, while others will give a percentage discount. Contact your supplier to find out what's available. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Rail fares rise by 4.6% in England and Wales
Regulated rail fares have gone up in England and Wales by 4.6% and the price of most railcards has risen by £5. The government says fares need to rise so it can invest in the rail system, but Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged passengers were "frustrated" by delays and cancellations. Although the government plans to renationalise three rail operators this year, this is not expected to bring ticket prices down. The Campaign for Better Transport said the latest increase "piles further misery on hard-pressed households" and called for lower fares. The rail fare rise for regulated tickets includes most season tickets covering commuter routes in England, which can cost thousands of pounds. Some off-peak returns on long-distance journeys, and flexible tickets for travelling in and around cities will also rise. Train operators set their own prices for unregulated fares, but these tend to increase by a similar amount to regulated fares, including on lines that have already been renationalised. About 45% of train fares are regulated in England, Wales and Scotland, but the 4.6% rise relates to travel in England and Wales only. In Scotland, rail fares are set to increase by 3.8% in April. In Northern Ireland, the nationalised Translink service said no decision had yet been taken by the Department for Infrastructure on whether rail fares will go up in 2025. The cost of most railcards has also gone up by about £5, from about £30, but disabled railcards remain the same price. Adrian Rose, 50, from Sittingbourne in Kent says hiking rail fares when they are already "crazily expensive" is not justifiable. For him and his wife and two daughters to drive from Kent to see relatives in Newcastle is no more than £100 in fuel for the family, whereas to go by train can cost more than £400 if booking close to the departure date. "The cost is prohibitive," he says. "I would happily take the train, but for over four times the cost? I could have a week's holiday for that money." But Celia Downie, who uses the train regularly for work and leisure, says she will continue to do so "however much it costs", because "I can work on the train and I believe it is environmentally proper to do so". But the 68-year-old from Bristol, who has a Senior Railcard, also believes prices are too high for families and says sometimes the experience of cramped carriages is "absolutely appalling". Heidi Alexander said she understood passenger frustration that fares keep rising "despite unacceptable levels of delays and cancellations". However, she said it was the lowest absolute increase in fares for three years. But the Campaign for Better Transport said the fare increases would add to the pressure on households, coming on top of higher food and energy costs. Michael Solomon Williams, head of campaigns at the group, said high ticket prices were the "number one barrier to getting more people travelling by rail", and called on the government to bring down fares as part of rail reforms. "The majority of the public are in favour of a publicly owned railway, but this support all but vanishes if fares were to continue to increase," he said. The campaign group said out of 40 commuter routes into London, annual season tickets for three will top £6,000 for the first time, with 10 others already there. Annual season tickets from Canterbury and Southampton into London will go up by more than £300 to £7,100 and £7,477 respectively. The government plans to renationalise rail firms as operators' contracts either end or reach a break. Last year, it said South Western Railway would be renationalised in May 2025, C2C in July 2025, and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025. It is setting up a new arms-length body, Great British Railways (GBR), to take over service contracts currently held by private firms as they expire in the coming years. Rail fares to rise despite renationalisation plans
