Benefits in retirement

Jaamorrison

Just lately I have been to the dentist and optician and been told that if I was on benefits their service would be free. I replied that I was on an old age pension and was told that did not qualify as a benefit. What happens when benefit claimers qualify for the OAP and come to the same level as me does their benefits cease and are they then treated the same as any other OA Pensioner who has never had a benefit payment in his life but payed into the system for 50 years

tomtom256

Jaamorrison wrote: »

Just lately I have been to the dentist and optician and been told that if I was on benefits their service would be free. I replied that I was on an old age pension and was told that did not qualify as a benefit. What happens when benefit claimers qualify for the OAP and come to the same level as me does their benefits cease and are they then treated the same as any other OA Pensioner who has never had a benefit payment in his life but payed into the system for 50 years

It's all based on income, if you get no means tested benefits you pay like everyone else.

Some pensioners have vast pensions some don't. Some earners earns loads, some don't.

Alas that's life.

xylophone

The state pension is a benefit but it is not means tested - millionaire or pauper, if you are eligible you can claim it.

The person on means tested benefits who becomes eligible for state pension may or may not still be able to claim those benefits, depending on his circumstances and the amount of the pension.

nannytone_2

even if you receive no means tested benefits, you may still qualify for help with dental/optical costs due to ;owincme.
you apply using form HC1

Silvertabby

I don't know if this applies to all opticians, but Specsavers don't charge over 60s - regardless of income - for the actual sight test.

borkid

Silvertabby wrote: »

I don't know if this applies to all opticians, but Specsavers don't charge over 60s - regardless of income - for the actual sight test.

Eye tests are free at any optician for pensioners ( maybe over 60s).

Annie35

have you checked if you're eliglible for any benefits? pension credits maybe or housing benefit?

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

Silvertabby

“ I don't know if this applies to all opticians, but Specsavers don't charge over 60s - regardless of income - for the actual sight test.
Originally posted by Silvertabby ”

Eye tests are free at any optician for pensioners ( maybe over 60s). Posted by borkid

Forgot to mention that I, as an over 60, also received 25% discount against the cost of my glasses.

borkid

Silvertabby wrote: »

Forgot to mention that I, as an over 60, also received 25% discount against the cost of my glasses.

Maybe that's a specsavers thing I don't with my optician. The one time my hubby used specsavers they messed up his prescription and tried to convince him that he wasn't used to wearing glasses and should persevere. He'd been wearing them for 30 years so knew what to expect. We're both loathe to use them again after his experience. We don't use Boots either as they did a similar thing.

teddysmum

Silvertabby wrote: »

Forgot to mention that I, as an over 60, also received 25% discount against the cost of my glasses.

However, Asda still work out cheaper,especially if you need lighter lenses, bifocals etc,as unlike Specsavers many 'extras'are included in the basic price.


Last time I bought 4 pairs of glasses with lighter lenses in all, for a few pounds more than I could buy just two pairs from Specsavers and only have one lighter lens in each pair (the eye needing a stronger prescription)