13 benefits you might be able to get after you retire
By Boring Money
22 Jan, 2025
Many people reach retirement and find that the income from their pension isn’t enough to live comfortably. In fact, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, up to 2.1 million (or 1 in 6) pensioners in the UK are living in poverty.[1] Add to this the ongoing cost of living crisis and it’s perhaps no surprise that thousands of retirees are struggling to make ends meet.
But did you know that every year billions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed? There are a number of benefits available to retired people that many aren’t aware of or believe they’re not eligible for, including help with winter fuel payments, support for Council Tax, and discounts on public transport.
In this article, we list 13 benefits that retired people can potentially claim, explain the eligibility rules around each one, and give you some helpful links that can help you find out more or begin your application process.
1. Pension Credit
Pension Credit is a benefit that’s available to people over State Pension age who are on a low income. It tops up your weekly income to a certain level and can be used to help pay for housing costs, such as ground rent or service charges. People who receive Pension Credit can also get additional benefits including Housing Benefit, Cost of Living Payments and Support for Mortgage Interest.
To qualify for Pension Credit, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age. If you have a partner, you must include them on your application. Your weekly income must be below £218.15 if you’re single or £332.95 (jointly) if you have a partner. A successful Pension Credit application will see your weekly income topped up to match this threshold.
If your income is already higher than this, you may still be eligible if you have a disability, you care for someone, or you have housing costs. You can read more about Pension Credit and how to apply on the gov.uk website here.
2. Council Tax Reduction
If you’re on a low income or you claim other benefits, you may be eligible to receive a reduction in Council Tax. Depending on your circumstances, you could have your Council Tax bill reduced by a full 100% with the Council Tax Reduction scheme (sometimes called Council Tax Support) - this means, if you meet certain requirements, you might not have to pay any Council Tax at all.
However, the amount taken off your bill depends on a number of factors, including where you live, your income, your UK residency status, and if any other individuals are living with you.
You have to apply for Council Tax Reduction through your local council. The gov.uk website has a helpful postcode finder where you can input your postcode and it will take you to the dedicated website for your local council. From there you can read more about their Council Tax Reduction scheme and begin your application if you’re eligible. Click here to get started.
3. Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off annual payment from the government to help pensioners cover the cost of heating bills. For the 2024-25 winter, those born before 23 September 1958 could get either £200 or £300.
If you’re eligible, you’ll usually get a letter in October or November each year saying how much you’ll get. Most eligible people are then paid in either November or December.
If you're not sure if you're eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you should check to see if you'll be able to make a claim. Head over to the gov.uk website here to find out more and begin your application.
Research from Age UK shows that around 800,000 pensioners are currently missing out on this means-tested benefit[2], so now's as good a time as any to find out if you could get some extra help towards your bills!
4. Cold Weather Payment
Similar to the Winter Fuel Payment, some people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are already receiving certain benefits may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment scheme. You’ll receive payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as - or forecast to be - zero degrees celsius or below for more than 7 consecutive days.
The amount you receive is £25 for each 7-day period of cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. The scheme typically starts on 1 November and you will be able to check if your area is eligible from this point on. The Cold Weather Payment is not available in Scotland, however, you may still get a £50 annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
You can read more about the Cold Weather Payment scheme, eligibility and how to claim on the gov.uk website here.
5. Warm Home Discount Scheme
Another heating-related benefit, the Warm Home Discount Scheme allows you to get up to £150 off the cost of your electricity bills in a one-off payment to your provider. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity – it's best to contact your supplier directly to find out if you’re eligible.
You can still qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter and the discount will not affect your eligibility for Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
To be eligible, in England and Wales you must either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or be on a low income and have high energy costs. In Scotland, you must get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and meet your energy supplier’s criteria to qualify. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
To read more about it and find out how to apply, head over to the gov.uk website here.
6. Insulation and heating schemes
In addition to the above, there are several other schemes that can help you to cover the costs of improved insulation or heating for your property. You may qualify for these if your home is poorly insulated or doesn’t have a functional central heating system and if you already receive any income-related benefits – including Pension Credit. To find out more, check out the following websites:
Find ways to save energy in your home (England and Wales)
Call 0800 098 7950 or check online here.
Energy advice (Northern Ireland)
Call 0800 111 4455 or email nienergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk.
Funding to make your home more efficient (Scotland)
Call 0808 808 2282 or check online here.
Nest scheme (Wales)
Call 0808 808 2244 or request a callback here.
7. Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance is a benefit that you can receive if you have a disability and you need someone else to help look after you.
You could be eligible if you have either physical and/or mental disabilities and are State Pension age or older. It’s paid at two different rates but how much you receive depends on the level of care that you need. However, do note that the scheme does not cover mobility needs.
If you’re eligible for Attendance Allowance, the amount you get from other benefits may also increase. You don’t need to currently have a carer in order to apply for Attendance Allowance, but if you do, they may also be able to get Carer’s Allowance if you have significant caring needs. For more information about Attendance Allowance, whether or not you’re eligible and how to make a claim, go to the gov.uk website here.
8. Public transport discounts
There are many different types of travel benefits for UK retirees, including free bus passes and reduced price train tickets. The rules are slightly different depending on where you live and so is the amount of money you could save.
In Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you generally have to be over 60 to qualify, whereas in England you must be State Pension age or older. The list below provides a summary of the main concessions and some helpful links for more information:
Older person’s bus pass for free bus travel in England and Wales
60+ National Entitlement Card for free travel on buses in Scotland
Free and concessionary bus and rail travel in Northern Ireland
60+ London Oyster photocard for free travel on TfL services in London
9. Free TV licence
If you’re 75 or over and currently receiving Pension Credit, you may be able to get a free TV licence. This also applies if you live with a spouse or civil partner who meets the criteria. People who are blind or in residential care can get their TV licence for a reduced price. For example, you can get a 50% discount if you’re registered blind or live with someone who is. You can apply for a free TV licence online on the gov.uk website here or by calling the government’s TV licencing department on 0300 790 6071.
10. Free dental care
People 60 and over living in Scotland and Wales are entitled to free NHS dental examinations. Apart from this, there is no set age at which you become exempt from charges for dental care on the NHS. However, you may be eligible for reduced or free dental treatment if you or your partner receive certain benefits. For example, if you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you may be eligible for free dental care. The rules differ depending on where you live and your unique circumstances, but if you’re looking for reduced or free dental treatment, Age UK has a helpful round-up of some options that may be available to you here.
11. Free eye tests
Many retirees are eligible for free eye tests. If you’re 60 or over, you can get a free eye tests every 24 months. If you’re 40 or over and have a close family member who’s been diagnosed with glaucoma (or you’ve been told by an ophthalmologist that you could develop a glaucoma), you can get a free eye test every 12 months. In addition, if you’ve been diagnosed with either type of diabetes, you can also get a free annual eye test. You may also be eligible for free eye tests if you are registered blind or partially sighted or are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher. You can read more about eligibility for free eye tests on the NHS website here.
12. Free prescriptions
You can get free NHS prescriptions if you’re aged 60 or older or hold a valid war pension exemption certificate (and the prescription is for your accepted disability). You're also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. On top of this, you may also be able to get free NHS prescriptions if you suffer from certain health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and others. The NHS has a handy calculator which can help you to check if you're eligible for free prescriptions. You can access it here.
13. Military benefits
If your spouse or civil partner died, was injured or became ill as a result of their service in the armed forces or during a period of war before 6 April 2005, you might be entitled to a War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension. This benefit is paid at different rates depending on your age and financial circumstances, but you don’t have to pay tax on it. Your partner must have served before 6 April 2005 but you may be eligible if they died of an illness or injury later on. There are strict eligibility rules around such military benefits so it’s best to read up on the gov.uk website to see if you may qualify. You can read more about War Widow(er) pensions here.
Free benefit calculator
If you’re retired and not sure if you’re eligible for benefits, you can use a free and anonymous benefits calculator online to check what you could qualify for and how much money this could save you. There are a few different benefits calculators out there, but the three main ones are:
Before using one of these, you’ll likely need to gather some paperwork to help you fill out certain sections. It’s a good idea to collate details about:
Your savings
Your income, including your partner’s
Any existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
Your outgoings (such as rent or a mortgage)
Your Council Tax bill
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