Over 60s benefits

There are a variety of benefits and discounts available once you reach a certain age.

Some are offered by the government, such as the state pension, help to meet the cost of energy bills and free or discounted travel. 

Not all are paid automatically though, so it's important to check you're not missing out.

Other perks are offered by many companies, from cheap cinema tickets to discounts on sporting season tickets.

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What pension and tax benefits can I claim?

State pension

The state pension is paid once you reach the age of 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

In 2025-26, the full level of new state pension is £230.25 a week. This will go up to £241.30 a week from April 2026.

The amount you're entitled to will depend largely on the number of the number of National Insurance contributions you've made during your working life.

• Find out more: how much state pension will I get?

Pension credit

Pension credit tops up the state pension for people who are on a low income. Guarantee credit tops your weekly income up to £227.10 in 2025-26 if you're single and your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you're in a couple.

Savings credit, which only applies to those who qualified for the state pension before 6 April 2016, provides £17.30 for a single person and £19.36 for a couple per week.

You can apply for pension credit online or by calling the Pension Service on 0800 991234.

National Insurance exemption

If you've reached state pension age and are still in work, you'll no longer have to pay National Insurance on your earnings.

National Insurance is charged at 8% on income between £12,570 and £50,270 if you're an employee (6% if you're self-employed), and 2% above £50,270. 

So if you're over state pension age and earning £30,000 a year, you'll save £1,394 in National Insurance in 2025-26. 

National Insurance only applies to income from employment, not from pensions. 

• Find out more: Use our National Insurance calculator

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What other benefits can I claim?

Housing benefit

If you've reached state pension age and your savings are below £16,000, or you're on a low income or claiming certain benefits, you might be eligible for housing benefit.

This can help you pay some or all of your rent.

You can apply through your local council or as part of a pension credit claim. 

Winter fuel payment

This is worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

The payments are made automatically in November or December to those eligible. You should receive a confirmation letter in October or November. 

In 2025, all pensioners received the winter fuel payment, but it will be clawed back if your income is worth £35,000 or more, through a tax adjustment. 

In Scotland, the equivalent benefit is called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. 

Cold weather payment

These are £25 payments for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November and March.

Payments are automatic if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days. 

You'll be eligible for it if you claim any other income-related benefits, such as:

• Pension credit
• Income support
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Universal credit

In Scotland, you may be eligible for a single payment called the winter heating payment instead. This is worth £59.75 and payments were made from December 2025.

What travel discounts can I claim?

Free bus pass

The age at which you'll qualify for a free bus or travel pass varies across the UK.

In most parts of England, you qualify for a free bus pass – usually covering travel between 9.30am and 11pm – once you reach state pension age.

Those living in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Merseyside and London can claim the travel concession at 60, with free rail, Tube and tram travel sometimes included. 

The 60+ London Oyster photocard permits free travel on buses, tube, trams, trains and London Overground after 9am on weekdays (or anytime on weekends).

Local authorities and devolved governments can provide discretionary concessions before 66 from their own funds.

Senior railcard

The Senior Railcard is available to travellers aged 60 or over.

It costs £35 a year (or £80 for three years) and gives you a third off standard and first class anytime, off-peak and advance fares.

Coach discounts

Some travel operators offer discounts for older people.

For example, National Express has a Senior Coachcard, which costs £15 (plus £3 postage and packing) for 12 months travel and offers a third off your travel. You need to be at least 60 to apply.

London Taxicard scheme

If you live in London, the London Taxicard scheme provides subsidised transport for people with serious mobility problems who find it difficult to use public transport. It's funded by the London boroughs and TfL and managed by London Councils on their behalf.

To apply for the scheme, you must fill in an application form for the London borough in which you live.

Visit the application page on the London Council's website. There is also information about the number of trips you're eligible for each year and the maximum fare you should pay.

What health and wellbeing benefits can I claim?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP is a benefit worth up to £187.45 a week (£110.40 for the care component and £77.05 for the mobility component) to help with living costs if you have a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition.

PIP is available even if you're working or have savings.

If you've reached state pension age and haven't claimed PIP before, you won't be eligible - you'll need to apply for attendance allowance instead.

Attendance allowance is worth either £73.90 or £110.40 a week, depending on the level of care you need because of your disability or health condition. 

If you live in Scotland, you'll need to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead of attendance allowance. It's paid at the same rates. 

Carer's allowance

If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is receiving a qualifying disability benefit, you may be eligible for carer's allowance. This is worth £83.30 a week. 

• Find out more: carer's allowance explained

Free prescriptions and eye tests

Once you reach 60, you can get free prescriptions in England. Prescriptions are free for everyone elsewhere in the UK.

You can also get free NHS-funded eye tests from the age of 60 (in Scotland, eye tests are free for all ages).

You'll be entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you're receiving pension guarantee credit.

Cheaper glasses

At Specsavers, over-60s can get 20% off glasses and lenses from its £70 range or above, including designer options.

Boots Opticians offer people aged 60 or over who have an Advantage Card and are part of the Over 60s Rewards scheme 10% off their first pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses.

• Find out more: best opticians stores

Discounted gym memberships

Check with your local gym to see if it offers a reduced senior membership.

For example, Everyone Active and Better Health provide a reduced membership for people aged 66 and over. 

• Find out more: best gyms in the UK

How can I save money on entertainment?

Concessions on days out

Most museums offer concessions for senior citizens, including Beamish Living Museum in County Durham, the top-rated museum in our recent survey. Tickets are £25 if you're 60 or over, instead of £33.

If you're an existing National Trust member aged 60 or over, and you've been a member for at least the last three consecutive years, you can get 25% off your subscription. This brings the cost of an individual senior membership down to £72, or £120.60 for a joint senior membership. Bear in mind the discount isn't applied automatically - you'll need to request it. 

If you're 65 or over, you can get a senior English Heritage membership for £69 a year (£112 for a joint senior membership) instead of £82 (or £144 for joint membership).

• Find out more: best UK days out

Cheap cinema and theatre tickets

It's always worth checking if you can get reduced price tickets for film screenings or theatre performances. Here are some examples of the discounts available:

• Odeon holds regular screenings for those aged 60+ with seats starting from £2. The price includes tea, coffee and biscuits before the film. 
• Picturehouse also offers discounted tickets and free tea or coffee for over-60s, but different prices apply depending where your local cinema is. 
• Everyman holds weekly Silver Screen matinee screenings for those aged 55 and over. The reduced price tickets vary by cinema and include a hot drink plus slice of cake or a small popcorn.
• The National Theatre offers discounted seats at midweek matinees for over-60s.
• The Royal Shakespeare Company offers a 20% discount to over-65s on all seats for Monday and Tuesday evening performances and all midweek matinees.

Discounted sports tickets

Older sports fans - typically those aged 65 and over - can get discounted matchday and season tickets for football, cricket and rugby games.