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10 freebies and discounts for pensioners worth £7,437 in August including free passports and cinema tickets
MILLIONS of pensioners are eligible for freebies and discounts this August which could save them up to £7,437.
Benefits include free passports and cinema tickets, as well as extra support from health services.
National insurance exemption
When you become eligible for the state pension, you no longer need to pay National Insurance (NI).
However, the amount that you save is dependent on the amount of money you earn.
For example, an employee earning £40,000 must pay £2,94 in National Insurance contributions over a year.
Meanwhile, someone earning £20,000 only has to pay £594.
This system is in place so that everyone pays their fair share of NI.
Since the average weekly wage in the UK is £687, then the average Brit over 60 stands to save a huge £1,851.20 through NI exemptions.
Discounted travel
Over 60s often get discounted travel too.
In England, any pensioner is entitled to a free bus pass.
In Wales and Scotland, the requirement for a free bus pass is simply being over the age of 60.
Transport for London offers residents in the capital an Older Person's Freedom Pass and the 60+ Oyster card, which gives you free travel on any TfL service from Monday to Friday.
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The only exception to this incredible offer is that the card is not valid from 04.30-09.00am.
Travel remains free at anytime on weekends.
Since bus prices vary across the UK, so does the amount you stand to save but an annual bus pass in London costs an eyewatering £988.
Meanwhile, a senior railcard saves you can average of £96 annually and costs just £30.
When combining the railcard and bus pass savings, pensioners could save a massive £1,084.
Free prescriptions and eyetests
NHS prescriptions are free for any Brit over the age of 60 who lives in England, Scotland or Wales.
In fact, in Wales, prescriptions are free for everyone.
Buying your prescription regularly and using an annual prepayment certificate can cost up to £114.50 - which means you make a huge saving when claiming your prescription for free.
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Also, anyone over the age of 60 is entitled to a free annual eye test.
All you need to do is book your appointment as normal and inform members of staff that you are eligible for a free test.
Over 60s can save £25 through the scheme, while ensuring that they have good eye health.
Pension credit
Pension Credit becomes available whenever you are able to start claiming your pension.
The system is designed to bolster the income of people on lower earnings.
This means that the amount of Pension Credit available to you depends on how much you have eanred and your income.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) says the average amount given out is a huge £3,900 a year.
Weekly incomes of £218/15 can be topped up to £332.95 - helping to support pensioners across the UK.
Free TV license
The TV license is used to fund the BBC, including its television channels, radio stations, iPlayer service and its news services.
This is because the BBC is a publicly-owned broadcaster.
Anyone using a TV must pay the licence fee, but anyone over the age of 75 - who also claims Pension credit - can have the charge waived.
This could save you £174.50 a year.
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Discounted broadband
People who claim their Pension Credit are often eligible for cheaper broadband.
The cheapest plans available to pensioners cost just £14.99 a month, compared to the huge average cost of £26.90.
Over the span of a year, this means you stand to save a staggering £142.92.
Discounted water bills
Social tariffs are available to those on low incomes to help them save on their water bills.
Providers offer different discounted rates, with some giving you money off the regular plan and others offering a lower cost service.
Your water provider will be able to provide you with more information.
Free NHS dental treatment
Anyone who claims Pension Credit is entitled to free NHS dental care.
Make sure to phone your dentist before hand to check whether you are eligible.
If you are, you could save £26.50 for a routine check up.
Some dental work, such as dentures, cost up to £3.19 though - meaning you could save hundreds.
Free passports
Passports are offered for free by the Home Office to anyone born before September 2, 1929.
Although that means most people who are eligible for the discount are in their late 90s, it still allows Brits the chance to save £94.50.
Using the fast track service will incur a charge though.
Discounted days out
Often, people over 60 are entitled for special discounts which can help them save money on days out.
The National Trust and English Heritage both offer discounts to over 65s, helping them to get outdoors.
Also, you can even save on Interrail passes - which let you travel around Europe for free - by getting 10 per cent off.
Cinemas offer cheaper tickets too, as do museums, allowing you to open up your world even more.
Since the amount that you save is dependent on the days out you prefer, the possibilities are endless.
