Just Had 60Th Birthday But Retirement Not Until Jan 2016

[susanxx]

I am now sixty but due to the goalposts being moved(again) I do not officially retire until Jan 2016. Are they any benefits that I can access even though I am not officially retired? I don't think I get fuel allowance or bus pass, but do I get free prescriptions? Or is there anthing else I can get?

[hc4361]

Free prescriptions at 60.

[boxtops]

I turned 60 before the new timescales dropped in, I got my bus pass and can buy a senior railcard and get pensioner's rates for haircuts etc (even though I'm not taking my pension yet and I'm still working full-time). Check when you can stop paying National Insurance - I guess it will be January 2016 too, but if you are at work after that you can apply for an exemption certificate.

[hc4361]

Born before 5th July 1951 and you get winter fuel allowance.

[factor-fiction]

This may help
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_older_people_ew/benefits_for_people_over_sixty.htm

[boxtops]

Both of hc's suggestion are true, I get those too.

[Maydup]

hc4361 - op was born in 1953

[excelsior-1]

good evening susan

i know what you can get for certain
you can get ...... p****d at the bureaucrats for constantly changing the dates

[Peter Pedant]

Manchester bus pass - yours should be around Nov 2014
It is worth asking - it appears to depend on area and seems to be arbitrary.

NICs I think go on until 65. Increase in tax-free amount at 65

I found at 60 a year or so ago very little
and then I almost immediately fell ill and I hesitate to say that the govt threw money at me.... but I became eligible by reason of illness and not age.

[craft1948]

peter there's no increase in tax allowance, that was scrapped if you're 65 after this April..........

[mayennaise]

I've just had my 60th and have looked long and hard to see if I qualify for anything other than free prescriptions - but there is nowt else out there for us 'inbetweeners' -can't even get a bus pass because my local council won't give them until I reach 'state pension age' even though the posters at the bus stops say if you are over 60 you can get one!! Grrrrrrr!!!!! I asked the bus company to remove the posters because they tell lies - but they came up with some strange story about 'some' people 'may' qualify! Who are these people???

[Buenchico]

I'll be 60 next month. As I'm male I was never going to get many benefits at that age any way but, due to the 'moving goalposts' you refer to, things like a bus pass and pension credits will have to wait until I'm just over 63.

As has been mentioned, the qualifying age for free prescriptions remains at 60. The only other advantage of being over 60 for me (apart from 'OAP' haircuts, which I seem to have been getting for the past few years anyway!) will be obtaining a Senior Railcard. (£28 for one year or £65 for 3 years. One third off most rail fares):
http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/

Chris