Pensioners should ensure they’re claiming all the free help they’re entitled to – including free NHS prescriptions, eye tests and council tax discounts. The support is sometimes dependent purely on your age, although in some cases you may need to be claiming benefits.
It comes as the state pension increased by 4.1% from this month. The full new state pension has risen from £221.20 a week, or £11,502 a year, to £230.30 a week, or £11,975 a year. The full basic state pension has gone from £169.50 a week, or £8,814 a year, to £176.45 a week, or £9,175 a year.
These are the maximum amounts you can possibly get from a state pension – you may get less if you don’t have enough qualifying National Insurance years.
You’re entitled to free NHS prescriptions in England if you’re aged 60 or over. You may need to show proof of your age to the pharmacist when picking up your prescription. A standard NHS prescription currently costs £9.90 per item in England. Prescriptions are free for everyone in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
You’re entitled to free NHS eye tests if you’re aged 60 or over. You can normally get a free eye test every two years, but some people may be entitled to more frequent tests if your optician recommends this. The cost for a private eye test typically ranges from £20 to £25. Eye tests are free for everyone in Scotland.
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You’re entitled to free dental treatment if you claim the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit. A standard NHS dental check-up in England typically costs £27.40. In Wales, over-60s get free dental check-ups, while dental check-ups are free for everyone in Scotland. You may have to pay for any subsequent treatment.
If you’re aged 75 or over, you can get a free TV licence if you receive Pension Credit. A standard UK TV licence costs £174.50 a year.
There are certain benefits available that can only be access by people who have reached state pension age, which is currently 66 for men and women but is steadily rising. For example, there is Attendance Allowance which is awarded to people over state pension age who need extra help or supervision because of a disability of illness.
Attendance Allowance is worth £73.90 a week if you need help or supervision during the day, or supervision at night, or £110.40 a week if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or if you’re nearing the end of your life. There is also Pension Credit, which tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or to £346.60 if you’re in a couple.
You can get a free bus pass in England when you reach state pension age, of if you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport within London when you reach the age of 60. You can get a free bus pass when you’re over 60 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
There are various energy support schemes available for pensioners. For example, the Winter Fuel Payment is worth up to £300 and is available to everyone who is over state pension age and in receipt of certain means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit. There is also the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150 off your electricity bill and is available to people on Pension Credit or on a low income.
You may be entitled to a council tax reduction if you claim certain benefits such as Pension Credit. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025/26 is £2,280. In some cases, you may be entitled to 100% off your bill.
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