Travel for free
The UK state pension age has risen, but many businesses and organizations still cling to ‘the big 6-0’ as the point at which senior citizenship begins, and as a result this remains a money-saving milestone.
In Wales and Scotland, you are eligible for a free bus pass for the elderly from the age of 60. You must provide proof of age and address and a passport photo.
In Scotland you can access free coach travel through the National Entitlement Card, which also gives those living in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles two free return ferry journeys to the Scottish mainland each year.
In England, the free bus pass for the elderly only comes when you reach state pension age (currently 66) – except in London. If you live in the capital, you can travel there for free if you are 60 years old. You can get a 60+ London Oyster photo card until you qualify for a Freedom Pass, for which the current age is 66.
The 60+ photo card gives you free travel on buses, Tube, trams, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, the Elizabeth Line (except between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London, from 9am on weekdays and at any time on weekends and public holidays (weekdays from 9.30am for National Rail services). You’ll also get discounted fares on river services such as Thames Clippers, and discounts on bike hire in Santander.
For full details, see the TfL website.
Buy a train or coach ticket
The senior train card is aimed at people aged 60 and over and costs £30 a year, or £70 for three years, and gives you a third off travel off the train.
National Rail, which issues the cards, says people with a senior card save an average of £86 a year, or £5.26 per journey. The train card is not valid during the morning peak – times vary across the country so you should check before you travel.
A National Express senior bus card, which costs £15 plus £3 delivery charges, gives you a third off standard and fully flexible fares, plus £15 day returns to anywhere in Britain on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
There are no restrictions on peak and off-peak hours, so you can travel when it suits you.
Holidays for less
If you’re booking a trip away, ask if your airline, train company or hotel, including foreign chains, offers a senior discount.
Budget hotel chain Travelodge has in the past offered over-60s a 25% discount on select stays, while Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in the US is among those offering reduced rates.
Eurostar offers special senior fares for over-60s on its continental routes (e.g. Brussels to Paris and Brussels to Amsterdam), but not for travel between the UK and mainland Europe.
Enjoy a performance
Many theaters and cinemas have special offers and performances for people over 60.
You can get £20 off tickets for weekday matinees (applies to £89 and £69 full price tickets, or £79 and £59 tickets for the upcoming production of Ballet Shoes) at the Lyttelton and Olivier theaters in London’s National Theatre. For shows at the Dorfman Theater, higher priced tickets are reduced to £36 for weekday matinees.
Other London theaters offering discounted tickets for over-60s include the Old Vic and the Young Vic.
The Ambassador Theater Group runs one of Britain’s largest ticketing operations, ATG Tickets, and says people over 60 get discounts at selected venues and shows, so it’s worth checking before you book.
Cinema chain Picturehouse’s free-entry Silver Screen club gives over-60s a free hot drink and discounted tickets, usually for matinee shows.
The Odeon chain’s Silvers program shows films at quieter times of the day, with tickets from £3.50 including tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film.
Showcase cinemas have Silver Screenings on Mondays, with tickets for all films starting before 4pm usually sold at a discount of £4.99.
Out
Nearly a million over-60s will benefit from the National Trust’s seniors concession, a 25% discount on membership, reducing the cost to £68.40 for an individual senior membership, or £113.40 for a joint senior membership, on provided that you have been a member for at least one year. at least the last three consecutive years.
The Royal Horticultural Society is offering a big discount on lifetime membership, reducing the individual price from £1,495 to £935.
Shop with a discount
The Iceland supermarket chain has a Bonus Card program that offers offers and savings to all shoppers, but has an extra benefit for cardholders over the age of 60: a 10% discount in stores every Tuesday. When shopping you must show proof of identity: a senior bus pass, senior train card or driver’s license.
Asda is another retailer targeting the over 60s with offers. Between November 1 last year and the end of February this year it ran a popular ‘winter warmer’ meal deal, offering soup, a sandwich and unlimited tea and coffee for just £1 in any of its 205 cafes. Keep an eye out for future offers.
Play or watch sports
Older fans of sports such as football, cricket and rugby can often get discounts on tickets. In many cases you must be at least 65 or 66 years old, but there are several football club subscription schemes, such as Sheffield United, where discounts start at age 60.
Some golf clubs offer membership discounts or incentives to older players. Age requirements vary. The website GolfSupport.com conducted a survey in Britain and published the findings, which may help you find a good deal near you.
Stay healthy
NHS prescriptions in Scotland and Wales are free for everyone, but in England you have to pay until you turn 60; after that they are free.
In Wales, people aged 60 and over can also get free dental examinations from the NHS. Everyone in Scotland is entitled to free dental examinations from the NHS.
NHS-funded eye tests are free for everyone in Scotland. In other countries in Great Britain, people over 60 are entitled to free NHS eye tests, which you can have at most opticians.
Specsavers is offering over 60s a 20% discount on glasses, while Boots Opticians is offering 10% off your first pair of glasses.
With the Advantage Card loyalty program at Boots you get access to Over 60s Rewards, which gives you more points: eight for every £1 you spend on Boots brands and selected exclusive products including No 7, Botanics, Liz Earle, Champneys and Joules.