Young people often complain that the older generation have it all their own way – and it seems as if they might just have a point. Times columnist Robert Crampton has listed some of the little-known benefits to turning 60, and there’s a lot more than free eye tests and prescriptions up for grabs.
With care, a savvy senior can save up to £2,500 a year – especially if they have the good sense to support the right football team. It’s not just mums that got to Iceland – grandparents are welcome at the national food chain as well, especially on Tuesdays.
Any customer over the age of 60 is eligible for 10 per cent off their in-store shopping every Tuesday. Better yet, there is no minimum spend requirements and the discount also applies at Iceland’s sister chain, The Food Warehouse.
Getting to the shops gets a little cheaper once you turn 60 too, especially if you live in the capital. If you’re 60 or over and live in a London borough, you can get a 60+ London Oyster photocard until you’re eligible for a Freedom Pass.
If you’re not a Londoner, you needn’t be left out. The Arriva Club 55 and the ScotRail Club 50 card will get you discounted travel on local buses in Wales and Scotland. Scotland also offers free travel on national bus services, and in some areas, older people can enjoy free rail travel.
Alternatively, Robert adds, if you don’t fancy cooking at home there’s always a bargain to be had at your local: the Hungry Horse chain’s Golden Years menus are offered to over 60s, entitling diners to two courses for around £4. “Maybe it’ll be pub grub every night for me from here on in,” he says.
A number of cinema chains offer sweet deals to seniors too. The Odeon, Empire and Picturehouse groups offer enticing discounts for “silver screeners,” and even put on special schedules of films that are “likely to appeal to codgers,” Robert adds.
While older cinema fans are perfectly entitled to stick to the superhero and Fast and Furious fare they may have enjoyed in their youth, the special senior-slanted schedules are slanted more toward cosy comedies starring the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Wilton, and assorted other National Treasures.
“Sometimes, those nice young hipsters at the cinema give us old b******s a free cup of tea and slice of cake too,” Robert says. If tea and cake is your thing, Asda’s cafés offer special prices for the over-sixties on Wednesdays.
Every year, National Rail offers an annual senior discount card that offers a third off all rail fares as well as discounts on days out, holidays and even theatre tickets. Some theatres offer special prices for over-sixties in their own right, and The National Trust, some theatres and swimming pools and a car servicing firm have special offers for 60-plus customers too.
Over 60s can also benefit from discounts from a variety of airlines, so if you’re going on holiday, it is something you should look out for when making a booking. Once you get to the other end, bear in mind that the Travelodge, Radisson and Hilton groups are among major hotel chains offer over-60s discount.
But perhaps the most surprising benefit for over 60s goes to football fans. Well, a very select group of football fans. While most football club senior concessions start at 65, Sheffield United’s, kicks as soon as you turn 60. It offers £130 off the price of a full adult season ticket – perhaps not enough to warrant abandoning the team you’ve supported since you were at primary school, but certainly tempting.
