Seven ways over 60s can save on groceries, car repairs and restaurant meals
TURNING 60 can be a daunting milestone, but being up front about your age can actually come with some great rewards.
Many shops, restaurants and entertainment venues offer special discounts and offers for over 60s.
These vary from discounted film tickets, money off your weekly shop and cheaper rates when you’re getting your car serviced.
Here’s the best deals we could find on the high street:
ATS Euromaster
ATS Euromaster offers members of its over 60 discount club exclusive offers including MOTs from £27 and services from £25.
Other discounts include an air con recharge for £49, wheel alignment for £39.49 and 15% off servicing, including brakes, steering and suspension, exhausts, batteries and more.
Without the discount a Class 4 MOT at ATS would set you back £42.99.
You can register to join the club online and will receive a membership letter in the post with a key fob to be presented in-centre.
Boots
Over 60s can cash in on Boots Advantage Card points by joining the chemist’s Over 60s Rewards Benefits Scheme.
The scheme offers the opportunity to claim eight Advantage Card points for every pound you spend on Boots’ own-brand goods.
Each point is worth a penny and be cashed-in on future purchases.
The loyalty scheme also gives access to exclusive offers and discounts.
Boots also offers over 60s a 10% discount on glasses and prescription sunglasses as well as 15% off hearing aids.
Dobbies garden centres
Everyone loves a day at the garden centre and at Dobbies Over 60s can enjoy the flowers and then settle down for a cut-price meal.
The garden centres offer anyone over the age of 60 a main course and cake for £11.95.
Main courses typically cost from £10.99, while a slice of cake is around £3.99 without the discount.
The offer is available from Monday to Friday from midday to 3pm.
Greene King
Many Greene King pubs have senior menus, which offer smaller portion sizes of traditional dishes.
For example the Bull and Chequers in Reading offers two courses for £6.49 before 5pm from Monday to Friday.
Main courses include lasagne, gammon and eggs, scampi and chips and fish and chips.
Many independent restaurants and pubs also offer smaller portions and cheaper menus for over-60s.
It’s also worth asking in your local fish and chip shop, as they often have deals available.
Iceland
Over 60s can get 10% off their shopping in-store at Iceland every Tuesday.
There is no minimum spend requirement and it’s really easy to access the deal.
You just need to sign up for an Iceland Bonus card and show a valid form of ID, such as a driver’s licence, senior bus pass or senior rail card, at the checkout.
The offer can only be used for one transaction in a day and is not available online, or at concessions in The Range or Swift stores.
Odeon
With Odeon Silvers over 60s can get tickets to special screenings from just £3.50.
The ticket prices include tea, coffee and biscuits, which are served before the film.
The screenings are held during quieter times of day and include new releases and classics movies.
Standard screening prices begin at £5 when booked online.
Tickets can be booked online or at the cinema.
How else to save
It’s not just on the high street that over 60s can access freebies and discounts – people who have reached state pension age could be entitled to savings under various schemes from companies and the government.
These include Pension Credit, free prescriptions, discounted travel, among others.
However, a warning was issued this month that tens of thousands of pensioners are set to get tax demands for the first time since they retired.
This is due to a combination of hefty state pension rises and frozen tax thresholds.
The bills follow warnings that nearly two-fifths (38%) of people are estimated not to be on track with their pension savings, according to the latest research from Scottish Widows.
You can get free guidance from the government’s Pension Wise service if you need help with your finances. Visit: moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/pension-wise.
How do I apply for pension credit?
YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories