Concessions and Discounts for the over 50’s

It’s hard in life to get anything for free, but there are certain things which once you reach a certain age become available to you. Here we’ve listed some of the concessions and discounts that could be available to you.

Senior Rail Card:
To get your Senior Railcard, first you’ll need to pick up an application form at your nearest station or travel agent. If you’re applying for the first time, you will need a completed application form and either your birth certificate, passport or driving licence to prove your age. You will need to allow at least 14 days before your journey for your new Railcard to reach you. The cost of a Senior Rail Card is £20. to get your saving when you buy tickets online you will need to put a tick in the box to register that you are a Senior Railcard holder and have your rail card with you to prove that you are the authorised holder of it. The Senior Rail card can be used nationally throughout Britain for most journeys with the exception of morning peak journeys in and around London and the south east area. (It’s always best to check when you buy the ticket however). From time to time different train companies have special offers for rail card holders like 2 for 1 entry to some london attractions etc. so worth looking out for these too.

Fishing Rod Licence:
If you are 65 or over, you are entitled to a reduction in the cost of a rod licence reducing the cost for a yearly one to half price making it £12.25 for Course and Trout, and £33.25 for Salmon and Sea Trout fishing. You will need to buy these at a post office however as they’ll need to see proof of your age for you to make the saving.

Free Passport for people over 77 years old:
If you’re over 77 and a British national, you’re eligible for a free passport. You’ll need a full ten-year passport if you want to travel abroad, even if it is for just one day, and it must be valid throughout the whole of your trip. To apply you will need an application pack, which includes an application form, guidance notes and payment leaflet. The application packs are at a Passport Office, at certain larger post office branches and at Worldchoice travel agents.

Concessionary bus pass & coach travel for over 60’s:
From 1 April 2006, people aged 60 or over are entitled to free off-peak bus travel in the local authority or Passenger Transport Executive area where they live. Off-peak travel is when you travel any time after 9.30am Monday to Friday, and any time at weekends.

In England and Wales, if you’re over 60, you also automatically qualify for ‘routesixty’ fares. This means you can travel half price on most National Express coach services. To find out more, telephone 08705 808 080.

In Scotland, if you’re over 60, Scottish Citylink offers Senior Specials, a range of discounted fares for the over 60’s. If you have a concessionary travel card, you may be also able to travel free on many of their services. To find out more, telephone 08705 505 050.

Free TV Licence if you’re over 75:
If you are 75 or over, then you are entitled to a free TV Licence. This must be in your name and will cover your whole household, so if you currently have a licence that is in the name of a member of the household who is under 75 then you’ll need to get the licence changed into your name to benefit from this reduction in cost. For more information take a look at the TV Licencing website here: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp?question=3

B&Q diamond card:
B&Q Offer what they call a ‘Diamond Card’ to people who are over 60. This card entitles you to 10% off most goods in store on Wednesdays. This is a national scheme and to sign up to it you’ll need to get an application form in store.

Meals, Outings & beauty treatments:
Lots of places offer discounts to seniors based on their age. Some will apply to those over 50, some to those over 60 and some for people 65+. These discounts will vary from place to place, but it’s worth considering asking if a senior discount is offered when you go somewhere, whether it’s to your local chip shop (mine offers a senior deal on a Wednesday lunchtime), to your local pub or restaurant, or even your local hairdresser or beauty parlour. Remember, if you don’t ask, you won’t get, and lots of these places DO offer discounts of anything from 10% to 50% off, so it really is worth asking!

If you would like to read about lots of other discounts on offer in the UK why not visit the Forum