10 Perks Of Turning 60!

You might not feel terribly excited about turning 60, but one of the perks of this particular milestone is that you will start being entitled to plenty of discounts and freebies.

Here’s our round-up of the best discounts you can claim on everything from eating out to cultural activities and travel.

1. Cinema and theatre

Most of the major cinema chains offer discounted tickets to the over-60s. You can attend exclusive screenings with free tea or coffee before the film starts through Odeon’s Silver Cinema initiative while Empire’s Seniors programme also offers a selection of films every Wednesday morning with free hot drinks. You can also get a discount on Picturehouse membership if you’re over 60.

If you’re 60-plus you can get £20 off £66 tickets to see midweek matinees at London’s National Theatre. You can also get a discount from age 65 if you’re a fan of the Royal Shakespeare Company on any seats on Monday and Tuesday evenings, as well as midweek matinees.

2. Museums and art galleries

Many of the UK’s biggest museums and art galleries offer discounts for those aged 60-plus on entry and exhibition tickets. These include the Tate Modern, the Imperial War Museum and the Beamish Open Air Museum. Make sure you check if there’s a discount when you pay for entry.

3. Heritage homes and gardens

If you’ve paid for a National Trust membership for the past three years and you’re 60-plus, you’ll be entitled to a Senior membership 25% discount. This reduces the price to £63 for individual membership or £104.40 for joint membership.

From age 65, you’re also able to claim discounts to hundreds of historic homes and gardens through English Heritage. If you’re a fan of historic gardens and shows, you can also get a hefty discount on senior lifetime membership to the Royal Horticultural Society from age 60 (£935 compared to £1,495 for a single membership). You’ll get unlimited free entry to all RHS gardens, discounts on shows and monthly magazines, among other benefits.

4. Eating out

Plenty of restaurants and pub chains offer discounts to the over-60s. See if there are any discounts on offer from your local pubs and restaurants. Some Greene King pubs, for example, offer special senior menus with big discounts and senior loyalty schemes with 50% off every fourth meal.

5. Free bus pass

You’ll be entitled to free bus travel with an Older Person’s Bus pass from age 66, the government’s state pension age. You can claim the same bus pass when you turn 60 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Check if you qualify on the government’s website.

6. Football season ticket

If you’re a footie fan, you can get big discounts on season tickets once you reach age 60. Chelsea FC, for example, offers senior season tickets at a hefty 50% cheaper than a standard ticket. See if your team offers money off when you turn 60 on its website.

7. Rail, coach and tube fares

The cost of train fares has rocketed in recent years and can take a big slice out of your retirement income. If you’re over 60 you could invest in a Senior Railcard to save you a third on train fares for a year. You can pay £30 for one year or £70 for three years and this also gives you discounts on theatre tickets and holidays. If you’re seeking a European adventure in retirement, you can also get a 10% discount on a Senior Interrail pass.

If you sometimes travel by coach, you could buy a National Express Senior Coachcard for £15 a year to save a third on standard and flexible fares at any time.

Londoners can get the 60+ Oyster Card for £20 to benefit from free travel on the tube, London overground and other National rail services. Once you reach state pension age (currently 66) you can get a Freedom Pass for free travel across London.

8. Health and fitness

Once you are 60 you will no longer need to pay for prescriptions. You’ll need to complete the back of the prescription form to state that your age means you don’t have to pay. You may be asked for proof of age, so take some ID with you.

You can also get a 20% discount on any pair of glasses that cost over £69 at Specsavers. You may find that your local gym offers discounts for people aged 60 and over too.

9. Pet discounts

If you’ve got a four-legged friend, trips to the vet can be very expensive, but plenty of practices offer discounts for over-60s. You can also get 50% off the cost of membership to Dogs Trust, making this £12.50 a year. This includes professional 24-hour advice service and public liability insurance for your dog, among other benefits.

10. Energy costs

You may be able to get a free gas safety check from your energy supplier or local authority if you’re 60 or over. Ask your energy supplier if you can get free or discounted home insulation too, and any other help they offer to older customers. You could also claim the winter fuel payment of typically between £150 and £300 if you were born before 25 September 1957. Find out more on the government website.

24 September 2024