What you get at 60: free prescriptions, travel and more
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
At 60 you get free NHS prescriptions in England, a free NHS sight test, a Senior Railcard if you want one, and a free bus pass if you live in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or London. What you do not get at 60 is the State Pension, Pension Credit or the Winter Fuel Payment: those wait until State Pension age.
At a glance
| At 60 you can get | Where | Do you need to apply? |
|---|---|---|
| Free NHS prescriptions | England (already free for all ages elsewhere) | No |
| Free NHS sight test | England, Wales, Northern Ireland (free for all ages in Scotland) | Ask the optician |
| Free NHS dental examination | Wales (free for all ages in Scotland) | Ask the dentist |
| Free bus pass | Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | Yes |
| Free travel in London | London residents | Yes |
| Senior Railcard | Great Britain | Yes (there is a fee) |
| 5% VAT on certain installed mobility aids | UK | Tell the supplier |
| Over-60s discounts from shops and attractions | Varies | Ask |
The rules below were checked at the time of writing (November 2026).
Health
Free prescriptions (England)
From your 60th birthday you no longer pay for NHS prescriptions in England. It happens automatically: there is nothing to apply for. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland prescriptions are already free for everyone.
Free sight tests
You are entitled to a free NHS sight test from 60 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, NHS eye examinations are free at any age. Tell the optician when you book. The free test does not include free glasses; help with those depends on your income or benefits.
Dental
If you live in Wales, NHS dental examinations are free from 60, though any treatment is charged. Elsewhere, age makes no difference to dental charges.
Full details for every nation are in our guide to free prescriptions, sight tests and dental help.
Travel
Bus passes
This is the entitlement that differs most around the UK. According to GOV.UK:
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.
- England – you have to wait until you reach State Pension age.
- London – residents can travel free from 60, but only within London.
See our guides to the free bus pass and the 60+ London Oyster photocard for how to apply.
Rail and coach
The Senior Railcard is available from 60 and gives a discount on most rail fares in Great Britain. You pay for the card, so use our railcard calculator to see whether it would pay for itself on the journeys you make. Coach operators have their own schemes for over-60s too: see coach travel discounts.
Around the home
Reduced VAT on mobility aids fitted at home
If you are 60 or over and pay to have certain aids supplied and installed in your home, the VAT is 5% rather than the standard rate. The list covers grab rails, ramps, stairlifts, bath lifts, built-in shower seats and walk-in baths with sealable doors. You do not need to have a disability, but the item must be fitted by the supplier. See VAT relief on mobility aids.
TV licence in sheltered housing
If you are retired and over 60 and live in eligible sheltered accommodation or a residential care home, you may be able to get a TV licence for £7.50. Your housing manager applies for you. See our TV licence guide.
Discounts from shops, leisure and days out
Sixty is the age at which many businesses start to offer a concession, though they are under no obligation to and the offers change often. It is always worth asking. Our over-60s discounts section keeps track of what has been offered, including:
- DIY and garden centre discount days
- cinema and theatre concessions
- gym and swimming concessions at council leisure centres
- days out and attractions
The discount finder lets you filter all of these by age.
What you do not get at 60
A lot of confusion comes from the days when women's State Pension age was 60. That is no longer the case. At 60 you are still classed as working age for benefits, which means:
- No State Pension. State Pension age is now 66 and is rising to 67. See what you get at State Pension age.
- No Pension Credit. It starts at State Pension age.
- No Winter Fuel Payment. That is tied to State Pension age as well.
- No Attendance Allowance. If you have a disability and are under State Pension age, the benefit to ask about is Personal Independence Payment (Adult Disability Payment in Scotland).
- No bus pass in England, outside London.
If you are on a low income, out of work or unable to work between 60 and State Pension age, you may be entitled to working-age benefits such as Universal Credit. Citizens Advice can check what applies to you.
Things worth doing at 60
- Get a State Pension forecast. The free Check your State Pension service on GOV.UK shows how much you are on course to get, when, and whether there are gaps in your National Insurance record. If you have questions about filling gaps or about your private pensions, MoneyHelper offers free, impartial guidance.
- Book a sight test if you have not had one in the last two years.
- Apply for your bus pass if you live where it starts at 60.
- Start asking for the concession. It quickly becomes a habit.
Common questions
Do women still get the State Pension at 60?
No. State Pension age is the same for men and women. Check yours with the State Pension age tool on GOV.UK.
Do I need to apply for free prescriptions at 60?
No. In England it is automatic from your 60th birthday.
Why do I get a bus pass at 60 in Wales but not in England?
Each nation sets its own rules for concessionary travel. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have kept 60 as the starting age; England links it to State Pension age.
Is there an official "over-60s card"?
There is no single government card. Your bus pass, railcard or driving licence usually serves as proof of age. See discount cards for over-60s for the cards that do exist.