How to save money when you are over 60 years
2.8m older households will still be living in fuel poverty this winter, according to AGE UK, despite the Government freezing the energy price cap but there are ways you can save money if you are over 60.
During this cost of living crisis, we are all looking for ways to save money. As we get older we might have to watch the pennies more carefully, as we adjust to a lower income. As a consumer expert it’s my job to try and find ways of saving money! I’ve been looking at some ways of saving that are only available to the over 60s.
Saving money on travel
Trains
Whilst train fares are still at a ridiculously high price, there are a number of ways you can get a discount. For example, you can apply for a Senior Railcard up to 14 days before your 60th birthday. It costs £30 and you’ll get 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares.
There are other rail cards such as Family Railcards that might also work for you.
If you have a Tesco Clubcard you can save further by using £10 in rewards vouchers to triple up.
Coaches
The Senior Railcard also gives you access to other discounts and offers.
If you prefer coach travel you can also get a Senior Coachcard from National Express. This costs £12.50 (plus £2.50 p and p) and will save 1/3 on all UK fares regardless of day and time. You can also get a £15 day return Tuesdays – Thursdays (excluding airports) if booked 3 days in advance and 15% off the “Fully Flexible” fare on travel to certain large scale events.
Buses
Apply for a free bus pass. In England you can apply when you reach the State Pension age. You can apply when you are 60 for free travel on buses and tubes in London. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland you can apply when you are 60.
Saving money on energy
Winter fuel payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956, you could get a lump sum between £100 and £300. The exact amount depends on your age and if other people in your household also qualify. If you have had the payment before or you receive the State Pension or another social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit, Universal Credit or a deferred State Pension), you should be paid automatically some time between November and December. Make a claim if you don’t get this automatically.
Warm Home Discount
Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment to reduce eligible customers’ energy bills during the winter months. This winter (2022-23) the discount rises from £140 to £150. It is a one-off payment which will be added as a credit if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you or your partner receive a certain credit portion of Pension Credit. It is usually applied between October and April. One of you must be named on the bill.
Cold weather payment
If the average temperature in your area has been 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days and you receive one of a number of benefits, including Pension Credits, you are entitled to £25 a week for each 7-day period of cold weather. This applies between 1 November and 31 March each year and is paid automatically to those entitled to it.
How to get help with paying for energy bills
Government and local Government benefits
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Pension credits
You may be entitled to a pension top up if you reach certain criteria and you may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs. There are lots of different factors that are taken into account, such as savings, other benefits, whether you care for someone and whether you are disabled or have caring responsibilities. It can be complicated! So, use an online benefits calculator which will work out your entitlements. Age UK benefits calculator is free and anonymous to use.
Any older person living on a low income or struggling with their bills can contact Age UK’s free Advice line on 0800 169 65 65 to check they’re receiving all the financial support available to them.
Paul Lewis talks pensions on The Complaining Cow Consumer Show
Household Support Fund
£421 million was been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England through the Household Support Fund to support those most in need to help with significantly rising living costs. The councils/authorities have discretion on how that money should be spent. It was/is to be used to support low income households most in need of help with bills, including pensioners. The funding covers 1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022, so check to see what is available in your area. Quickly!
Carer allowance
If you are a pensioner and also a carer for more than 35 hours a week for someone who needs regular and substantial care and receive a carer’s allowance you might also be able to get the ‘carer addition’ included in your pension credit payments. This is up to £38.85 per week.
Boost your state pension
If you are under the State Pension age, check your pension forecast on the Government website and check your National Insurance record. If there are some years for which you haven’t paid, you may want to consider purchasing years to fill in the gaps, which will boost your state pension to the maximum.
A full voluntary National Insurance year costs about £800 and adds £275 a year to your state pension. Check the Government’s Free Pension Centre for bespoke calculations to help you decide whether it is worth doing. It can all be very complicated! So, do read all the information on the websites.
Before you buy any credits check the National Insurance credits section of Gov.uk as you may be entitled to free credits. For example, if you were ill, were a carer or had childcare responsibilities.
Discounts for the over 60s Steph's Packed Lunch 26/09/22
Saving money in the outdoors
Garden centres
Check with your local garden centre to see if they have any offers. Many provide a discount on certain days especially for the over 60s.
English Heritage
You can get 10% discount on a monthly (£4.92) and yearly (£59) membership.
National Trust Scotland (NTS)
If you’re 60 or over you can get a yearly NTS membership for £55 (direct debit) instead of £63.
CADW (Welsh heritage)
If you are 65 or over you can buy a yearly CADW membership for £42.90, instead of the usual £53.90.
National Trust
If you’re 60 or over and you have been an individual or joint member for at least five of the last ten years, you’ll be eligible for 25% off the adult membership fee.
£57.60 for an individual senior membership and £95.40 for a joint senior membership. You can also gain Nectar points if you have a card.
Saving money on your eyes
Eye tests
You are entitled to free eye tests when you reach 60 and should get your eyes tested every two years and then every year after 70.
Glasses
The over 60s get 20% off glasses and prescription sunglasses at Boots. You’ll also get a second pair for half price. And don’t forget the loyalty card points!
Specsavers offer a 20% discount for the over 60s on a single pair of glasses costing over £69. This includes treatments to protect the lenses.
Optical Express offers 20% discount on glasses for the over 60s.
If you receive the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit then you’re entitled to an optical voucher for help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.
Saving money with your pets
Vets
When choosing a vet, take a look to see if any have a discount for over 60s. The PDSA offer low cost and free vet treatment to people on certain benefits. This includes pensioners living in a home in council tax bands A to D.
Blue Cross offers free services (and asks for donations) to those on certain benefits, including Pension Credit.
Saving money in theatres and attractions
Theatres
Many local theatres offer a discount for pensioners but often don’t advertise it well! So, look up your theatre and find out what they have available. For example The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon offers discounts for over 65s.
The National Theatre in London offers discounts to the over 60s on midweek matinees: £66 seats are reduced to £46 and £56 seats are reduced to £36 at two of its venues.
Attractions
Various safari/wildlife parks and amusement parks will offer a discount for pensioners. If you are taking children/grandchildren check whether it is cheaper to buy a family ticket or get the tickets separately.
Eating out
Check with local restaurants and pubs to see if there are discounts for the over 60s, such as money off on certain days and at certain times.
At Greene King pubs and restaurants, the over 60s can get 50% off their 4th 2 or 3 course lunch or evening meal if they join the company’s Senior Loyalty Scheme.
Saving money in shops
Iceland
You can bag 10% off everything in-store at Iceland or The Food Warehouse, with no minimum spend, on a Tuesday. Just show your proof of being over 60, such as a bus pass or drivers licence.
Boots
The over 60s can get 8 points instead of 4 per £1 spent. Each point is worth 1p. So, every £10 you spend will get you 80p instead of 40p on the card but every little helps!
Saving money in cinemas
Odeon
The over 60s can access Odeon Silver Cinema, where standard seats are £3.50 when you book as a myODEON member online and £4.50 in-cinema. Tickets for ODEON Silver Cinema with standard seats are £4.00 when you book online as a guest and £5.00 in cinema. Additional upgrade costs apply to other seat types. Tea, coffee and biscuits included!
Empire
A range of recent and classic films are shown on Wednesday mornings at selected Empire cinemas for £3.75, including tea, coffee and biscuits!
Other discounts
Hairdressers
Check out your local hairdressers, as most will have an offer for senior citizens during at least one day per week.
Car products/services
Join the CLUB 60 scheme for free at ATS Euromaster to gain discounts on car-related products and services, such as MOTs and tyres. Check your local garages for discounts.
Haggle!
It is always worth trying to haggle! (see: How to haggle to get the best prices).
If a retailer has a discount for students, try asking if they will also give one for a pensioner!
Check loyalty cards and cashback sites
Check to see if you can gain loyalty points from partner organisations or your credit card. And use cashback sites like Topcashback* and Quidco* as well as Kidstart*. There are others but these are the main ones.
See How to save money using apps and websites for more ways to get discounts that anyone can access.
Other ways to save money
Various posts on saving money.
Help for complaining effectively
Don’t be out of pocket if a business has provided faulty goods or poor service!
If you need help with complaining effectively and making sure you are never fobbed off:
GET THE BOOK! How To Complain: The ESSENTIAL Consumer Guide to Getting REFUNDS, Redress and RESULTS!
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Purchase downloadable templates to gain redress
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Amazing information thank you
Thanks please do share for others to benefit