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Retirement guide
Free, Impartial
Debt Advice
StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Contents
Introduction How this guide will help you 3
Section 1 Planning your retirement 4
• WhatincomeyoucanexpecttoreceivefromaBasicStatePension
• HowtoclaimyourStatePension
• Getmorehelpfromustoassistwithyourretirementplanning
Section 2 Personal pensions 7
• Makingadecisionaboutwhentotakemoneyfromapersonalpension
• Getmorehelpfromustoreviewyourpensionarrangements
Section 3 Additional state benefit 9
Section 4 Reviewing your insurance 11
Section 5 Equity Release 13
Section 6 Help from other charities 14
Section 7 Other free services 15
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Introduction
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
How this guide will help you
Werealisethatwhenyouarecominguptoretirementorhaverecentlyretired,therearesomebigdecisionsyouhavetofacethatwillaffectyoufortherestof yourlife.
Thisbookletprovidesyouwithinformationtohelpyouplanaheadandtodealwithsomeof thefinancialdecisionsyouwillneedtomake.
Itwillhelpyoutakealookatyourfutureincomeandexpendituretoseewhetheryou:
•canaffordtoretireatyournormalstatepensionage,or
•willneedtocontinueworkingtorepayormaintainyourcurrentfinancialcommitments.
If youhaverecentlyretired,thisbookletwillhelpyoureviewyourfinancestoseeif youcanmakeanychangestoimproveyourlifestyle,provideyouwithpracticaladviceandgiveyoufurthersourcesof helpandsupport.
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Planning your retirement
Whenyouareonlyafewyearsawayfromretirementitisalwaysgoodtoplanwhatyourfinancialsituationmightlooklikewhenyouarenolongerworking.
Theinformationinthissectionprovidesyouwith:
•detailsof whereyourretirementincomeislikelytocomefrom
•waystofindouthowmuchyouwillreceive,and
•someideasonhowtoincreaseyourincome.
Itwillalsohelpyoudecideif youcanaffordtoretireorwhetheryouneedtocontinueworking.
What income you can expect
to receive from a Basic
State Pension
MostpeopleareentitledtoclaimtheBasicStatePensionwhentheyreachstatepensionage.
StatepensionageistheearliestdateyouareabletoclaimtheBasicStatePension.Itvariesslightlydependingonwhenyouwerebornandwhetheryouareamanorawoman.FromApril2010,therearegradualchangesplannedtotheagewhenyouwillbeabletotakeyourStatePension.Tofindoutwhenyouwillbeabletoclaimyours,checktheinformationonwww.gov.uk
TheBasicStatePensionprovidesyouwitharegularallowancetomeetyourbasiclivingneeds.Theamountyoureceivedependsonhowmanyqualifyingyearsof NationalInsurance(NI)contributionsyouhavebuiltup.Yourcontributionsarenormallypaidthroughpaymentsdeducteddirectlybyyouremployer,shownonyoursalaryslip.
Whenyoureachstatepensionageyouwillneed30qualifyingyearstobeentitledtoafullBasicStatePension.So,if youhavenotbeenworkingandtherearegapsinyourNIcontributions,yourentitlementtoafullBasicStatePensionisaffected.(Seethenextpageformoredetailsabouthowtodealwiththesegaps.)
Tofindouthowmanyqualifyingyearsyouhavealreadybuiltupandhowmuchincomeyouwillbeentitledto,youcangetaStatePensionforecast.EithertelephoneThePensionService’sStatePensionForecastingTeamon08453000168(textphone08453000169)orapplyonlineatwww.gov.uk
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Planning your retirement
Extra income from Additional
State Pension
AswellastheBasicStatePension,youmayalsobeentitledtoanAdditionalStatePension.ThisusedtobeknownasSERPS(theStateEarnings-RelatedPensionScheme)butitisnowknownastheStateSecondPensionScheme.
If youareemployedandamemberof anoccupationalpensionscheme,youwillhavebeengiventhechoiceto‘optin’or‘optout’of theStateSecondPensionScheme.Whenyouoptin,thismeansthatyouoryouremployerhascontributedtothe‘additional’StatePension.Thisentitlesyoutoclaimanadditionalamountwhenyoureachstatepensionage.
How to claim your State Pension
ThePensionServicewillnormallysendyouaclaimpackafewmonthsbeforeyoureachstatepensionage.Thisinformationprovidesyouwithdetailsof howmuchStateandAdditionalStatePensionincomeyouarelikelytoreceive.Itwillalsohelpyoudecidewhentoretire.
How to boost your National
Insurance credits to increase the
income from your State Pension
If youhaveidentifiedgapsinyourNIcontributions,thiswillresultinareductioninyourincomeprovidedbyStatePensionandyoumaynotbeabletomaintainareasonablestandardof living.Topreventthis,thereareafewstepsyoucanconsidertaking:
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
Makingvoluntarycontributions
If youcanaffordto,youmaybeabletoplugthegapsinyourNIcontributionsbymakingsmalladditionalvoluntarypayments.Thiscanimprovethenumberofqualifyingyearsyoubuildupbeforeyoureachstatepensionageandincreasetheamountyoucanclaim.Therearetimelimitsformakingvoluntarycontributions.Normallyyoucanonlyfillgapswithinthelast6taxyears.TomakeadditionalcontributionsyouwillneedtocontactyourcurrentemployerorcontacttheHMRCNationalInsuranceEnquiryHelplineon08459155996.
Claimingthroughyourhusband,wifeorcivilpartner
If youaremarriedorareinacivilpartnershipandyoudonotqualifyforafullBasicStatePension,youmaybeabletomakeaclaimbecauseyourhusband,wifeorcivilpartnerhasmadefullcontributions.Formoreinformationtoseeif youareabletomakeaclaimcontacttheDepartmentof WorksandPension(DWP)orvisitwww.gov.uk
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Planning your retirement
ClaimingNIcontributionswhenyouareinreceiptof Carer’sCredit
If youhavebeenunabletomakesufficientNIcontributions,youmaygetNIcreditedtoyoubytheGovernment.Forexample:
If youareaparentwithachildunder12oranapprovedfosterparent,youwillbeeligibleforCarer'sCredittohelpyoubuildupyourentitlementtoaBasicStatePension.Asafosterparent,becauseyoudon’treceiveChildBenefit,youwillneedtoapplyforCarer’sCreditasitisnotautomaticallyprovided.Pleasevisitwww.gov.uk.
If youcareforasickordisabledpersonfor20hoursaweekormoreyoumaybeabletoclaimCarer’sCredit.Inordertoclaim,thepersonyoulookaftermustbegettingabenefitsuchasAttendanceAllowance,orbecertifiedasneedingcare.Formoreinformationvisitwww.gov.uk.
Otherwaystobuymorequalifyingyears
WhenyoureachstatepensionageyounolongerpayNIcontributions,evenif youcontinueworking.Youcannotbuildupanymorequalifyingyearstowardsyourpensionthroughyourwork.Buttherearewaysof payingsmallamountstoincreaseyourentitlement,evenif youhaverecentlyretired.Formoreinformationonthis,contact,HMRCNationalInsuranceEnquiryHelplineon08459155996.
Free debt adviceFreedebthelpfromStepChangeDebtCharitycall0800 138 1111
Get more help from us to assist
with your retirement planning
Youmaystillhavedifficultyinworkingoutwhatyourfinancialpositionwillbewhenyouretire.
OnceyouhavereceivedyourStatePensionforecast,youcanuseouron-linewelfarebenefitscalculatortohelpyouunderstandhowmuchincomeyoucanexpectwhenyoureachstatepensionage.Toaccessthecalculatorpleasevisit:
www.stepchange.org/benefits-check
Thisserviceisfreeandconfidentialandwillhelpyoudecidewhetheryoucanaffordtoretireorif youwillneedtostayonatworkforlonger.
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StepChange Debt Charity
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Personal pensions
InadditiontotheBasicStatePension,somepeopleareabletoclaimextraincomethroughapersonalpension.Toqualify,youoryouremployerwillhavepaidintoapersonalpensionpolicyatsometimeduringyourworkinglife.Thismaymeanthatyouhaveextraincometoboostyourfinancialsituation.
Tofindoutif youhaveanoldpersonalpensioncontactThePensionTracingService.Theywillhelpyoutrackitdowntoseehowmuchitisworth.Youcancallthemon08456002537orvisitwww.gov.uk
If youhaveapersonalpension,thefollowinginformationwilltakeyouthroughsomeof theconsiderationsyouwillneedtothinkaboutasyouapproachretirement.
Makingadecisionaboutwhentotakemoneyfromyourpersonalpension
Youcanchoosetotakeoutyourpersonalpensionbenefitsanytimebetweentheageof 55or75.Youcandothisandcontinuetoworkif yourfinanceswon’tallowyoutofullyretire.
If youdecidenottoclaimthebenefitsfromyourpersonalpension,youcancarryonworkingandstilltakeyourBasicStatePension.Youcancontinuepayingintoapersonalpensionuptotheageof 75andthenusetheextramoneyinthisfundwhenyoudecidetoretire.
Whattodoasyouapproachretirementage
Eachyearyouwillreceiveastatementfromyourpersonalpensionprovider.Thiswillprovideyouwithdetailsof whatyourfundvaluemightbeatthenormalstatepensionage.Itwillgiveyouanindicationofwhatamountof grossannualincomeyoumightexpecttoreceive.Thiswillhelpyoudecideif youcanaffordtoretireatyournormalretirementageorwhetheryouneedtocontinueworking.
Thecloseryougettoyournormalretirementageitisadvisabletoseekindependentadvicetoreviewthefundswhereyourpensionisinvestedtoensurethatanyrisksareminimised.Youshouldalwaysgetreliableandregularfinancialadvicetohelpplanforarealisticretirementincome.Butbecarefultocheckanychargesyoumayhavetopayfortheadviceyoureceive.
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Personal pensions
Whatdecisionsyouneedtotakewhenyouhavechosentoretire
Whenyouwanttoreleaseyourpersonalpensionfunds,thereareanumberof decisionsyouwillhavetomake:
•Toreleaseatax-freelumpsum,normallyupto25%of thefundyouhavebuiltup.
•Whenandhowtoexerciseyourincomeoption.(Youcandothisbyusingeitheran‘annuity’or‘incomedrawdown’option.)
An‘annuity’isaregularincomewhichispayableforlife.Whenyouretire,youcanusethepensionfundyouhavebeenpayingintotobuyanannuityfromalifeinsurancecompany.Thisprovidesyouwitharegularincomethatispaidtoyoufortherestof yourlife.Thelifeinsurancecompanysimplyspreadsthetotalvalueof thepensionfundyouhavebeenpayingintooverthetermof yourlifeexpectancy.If youtaketheannuityoption,youalwayshavetotakeyourtax-freelumpsumatthesametime.
Underthe‘incomedrawdown’option,youhavecontrolof theamountof incomeyouwishtotakeatanytime.Youarenotobligedtotakethewholeamountatthesametime.Usingincomedrawdown,youcantakeyourtax-freelumpsumbutdeferreceivingyourotherincomeanytimeuptoage75.
Furtherhelpandinformation
Generalinformationisavailableaboutpersonalpensionsfromanyoneof thefollowing:
•ThePensionAdvisoryServiceon08456012923orvisitwww.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
•ThePensionServiceon08456060265orvisitwww.gov.uk
•TheFinancialServicesAuthorityon03005005000orvisitwww.fsa.gov.uk
Formoreindividualadvice,speaktoanindependent,authorisedfinancialadvisororyourHumanResourceorPensiondepartment.
Get more help from us to review
your pension
Wehaveanestablishedarrangementwithatrustedfinancialservicebroker,whowillprovideyouwithfreepensionadvice.Toarrangeforarevieworif youhaveapensionquerypleasecall:
JFFinancialAssociateson08455088588or[email protected]
Alternatively,youmaydecidethatyouwishtochooseyourownpreferredrepresentativetoprovideasimilarreview.
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Additional state benefit
Therearetimeswhenyoumayfeelunabletocopewithyourlimitedfinances.If thisisthecase,youmaybeabletomakeaclaimforextraincomefromstatebenefit.Allclaimsaresubjecttoashortassessmentbutif youaresuccessful,theextramoneyyoureceivecanmakeahugedifferencetoyouandyourfamily.Rememberthatyoudonotneedtorepayyourstatebenefit,evenwhenyoursituationimproves.
Takealookattheshortsummaryof benefitsbelowtoseeif youareentitledtomakeaclaimtoimproveyourincome:
PensionCredit
Pensioncreditisameanstestedbenefitthatispaid,freeof tax.(MeanstestediswherethePensionServicetakesintoaccountallyourcurrentincometoseeif youqualify.)YoudonotneedtohavemadeanyNIcontributionstoqualifyforit.TherearetwoelementsthatmakeupPensionCredit:
•Guaranteedcredit.If yourincomeisbelowacertainlevel,anamountispaidtotopupyourweeklyincometoaguaranteedminimumamount.
•Savingscredit.Canbepaidtoprovideextramoneyforyouevenif youhavealreadybuiltupsomesavingsforyourretirement.
Evenif youownyourownhome,orlivewithfamily,youmaystillbeeligibleforPensionCredit.TheGuaranteedCreditmayalsoentitleyoutohelptowardspayingforyourhousingcosts(suchasrent,mortgageorservicecharges)andcounciltaxcharges.
If youreceivePensionCreditsyouwillalsoqualifyforaChristmasbonusandcoldweatherpayments.Coldweatherpaymentsareonlymadewhentheaveragetemperaturewhereyouliveisrecordedas,orforecasttobe,zerodegreesCelsiusorbelowover7consecutivedaysduringtheperiodfrom1Novemberto31March.
ToapplyforPensionCredityoucantelephoneThePensionServiceon0800991234ortextphone08001690133.AnadviserwillhelpyouwiththeclaimformandwillalsocheckyourentitlementtoHousingandCouncilTaxBenefit.
WinterFuelPayment
Winterfuelpaymentsarepaidtohelpmeettheextracostof heatinginwinter.Toapply,callTheWinterFuelpaymentHelplineon08459151515orgetaclaimformonlineatwww.gov.uk.Youonlyneedtomakeoneclaimandthenineachof thefollowingyearsthepaymentispaidautomatically.
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StepChange Debt Charity
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Additional state benefit
AttendanceAllowance
If youare65oroverandhaveadisabilityorlong-termillnessyoumaybeabletoclaimAttendanceAllowance.Thisisanon-meanstestedandnon-taxablebenefittohelpyoumeettheextralivingcostsbecauseof yourdisabilityorillness.Non–meanstestedmeansthattheassessmenthasnothingtodowithyourincome.YoumaybeabletogetAttendanceAllowanceif youhaveneededhelpwithyourpersonalcareforatleast6months.Evenif youhavenotactuallyreceivedanyhelpoverthisperiod.
DisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA)
If youareunder65andhaveadisabilityorlong-termillnessyoumaybeabletoclaimDLA.Thisisanon-meanstestedandnon-taxablebenefittohelpyoumeettheextralivingcostsbecauseof yourdisabilityorillness.YoumaygetDLAif youneedhelpwithyourpersonalcareoryouhavedifficultywalking.Youmusthaveneededthishelpforatleast3monthsandwillcontinuetoneeditforatleastthenext6months.Evenif youhavenotactuallyreceivedanyhelpoverthisperiod.
Carer’sAllowance
If youlookaftersomeonewhohasadisabilityorlong-termillnessforatleast35hoursaweekyoumaybeabletoclaimCarer’sAllowance.Thepersonyoulookaftermustbegettingeither:
•AttendanceAllowanceorDLAatthemiddleorhigherrate,or
•ConstantAttendanceAllowancepaidwiththeIndustrialInjuriesorWarPensionsschemes.
Carer’sAllowanceisanon-meanstestedbenefitanddoesnotdependonyourNIcontributions.However,itistaxableandiscountedasincomeforanyothermeanstestedbenefitsyoureceive.Theremayalsobeimplicationsonthebenefitentitlementforthepersonyoulookafter.Forthisreasonitisrecommendedthatyoualwaysseekadvicebeforemakingaclaim.Wecanprovideyouwithanyadviceyouneed.
Get more help from us to review
your entitlement
If youareunsurewhetheryouareentitledtoanyofthebenefitsmentionedhereandneedmoreinformation,youcanuseouron-linewelfarebenefitscalculator.Toaccessthecalculatorpleasevisitwww.stepchange.org/benefits-check Thissimplecheckwillhelpyouidentifyanymissingbenefitsyouareentitlementtoandtellyouhowtomakeaclaim.Theserviceisfreeandconfidential.
Free debt adviceFreedebthelpfromStepChangeDebtCharitycall0800 138 1111
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Reviewing your insurance
Overtheyears,youmayhavetakenoutanumberofdifferentinsurances.Itislikelythatyoursituationhaschangedsincefirsttakingouttheinsuranceandyouwouldbenefitfromashortreviewtoseeif youcansavemoney.
Areviewwillidentifyif youarepayingforinsuranceyounolongerrequireorwhereperhapsyouhaveseveralinsurancesthatoverlapandyouarenow‘overinsured’.Youmayalsobepayingmorethanyouneedtoforyourinsurance,soshoppingaroundforabetterdealmaysaveyoumoney.Severalcomparisonwebsitesareavailabletogiveyouanideaof themoneyyoumightsave.Becarefultomakesurethatthecoverandbenefitsyouwillreceive,if youmakeaclaim,arethesameasyouhavenow.
Takealookatsomeof theareasyoumaybeinsuredforandconsiderif youstillneedit:
LifeInsuranceandCriticalIllnessInsurance
Lifeinsuranceorlifeassurancewillprovidealumpsumcashpaymentif youpassaway.Criticalillnessinsurancewillprovidealumpsumcashpaymentifyouarediagnosedwithoneof thecriticalillnesseslistedinyourinsurancepolicy.
Thesetypesof insurancepoliciesaregenerallytakenoutoveradefinedperiod,normallyuntilyourmortgageisrepaid,uptoyourretirementageandtomakesufficientprovisionfordependantsorfamilywhosurviveyou.
FamilyIncomeBenefitandLong-TermIncomeProtection
Familyincomebenefitinsurancewillmaintainyourfamily’sincomeif youdiewhilethepolicyisinforce.Incomeprotectioninsurance(formerlyknownaspermanenthealthinsurance)willprovidepaymenttoyouif youareincapacitatedandunabletoworkduetoillnessoraccident.
Thesetypesof policyaregenerallytakenoutoveradefinedperiodof time,normallytocoveramortgageterm,uptoyourretirementageoruntilyourdependantsreachacertainage.
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
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StepChange Debt Charity
Retirement Guide
Reviewing your insurance
Accident,SicknessandUnemploymentInsurance
Accident,sicknessandunemploymentinsurancewillprovideashort-termpayment(usuallyfornomorethan12or24months)if youareincapacitatedandunabletoworkduetoillnessoraccidentorif youaremaderedundant.Thistypeof insurancedoesnothaveaspecifictermandisavailableuptoretirementage.
Youwillhaveorneedthistypeof insuranceinplaceifyouhave:
•amortgageorrentedaccommodation
•dependants
•limitedsickpayfromyouremployer,or
•certainbillsyouwishtoprotect.
BuildingsandContentsInsurance
Buildingsandcontentsinsurancewillprovideyouwithfullprotectionforyourpropertyandpossessionsintheeventof problemseitherwithinoroutsideyourhome.Youwillneedtomaintainthisinsuranceif you:
•Ownapropertyandhaveamortgageonit.Itisarequirementwithinthetermsandconditionsof yourmortgagecontracttoinsurethe‘building’.‘Contents’insuranceisoptional.
•Rent.Youonlyneedtotakeoutcontentsinsurance,asyourlandlordwillusuallyinsurethebuilding.
Free debt adviceFreedebthelpfromStepChangeDebtCharitycall0800 138 1111
Get more help from us to review
your insurance
Wehaveourowninsuranceadviceteamwhocanhelpyoureviewyourinsuranceneeds.StepChangeInsuranceServicesoffersfree,confidentialandindependentinsuranceadvice.
YoucancontactStepChangeInsurancetoarrangeareviewof yourinsurancearrangementswithaviewtosavingmoney,ortodiscussanyinsurancequeryyouhaveon08442640527.
StepChangeInsuranceServicesisatradingnameof theConsumerCreditCounsellingService(EquityRelease)Ltd.TheConsumerCreditCounsellingService(EquityRelease)LtdisauthorisedandregulatedbytheFinancialServicesAuthority.
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Equity Release
EquityReleaseallowshomeownerstounlocktheequitytiedupinthehomewhilestilllivingthere.Itallowsyoutoreleaseatax-freecashlumpsumforanypurpose,suchasrepayingdebt,homeimprovementsortoallowyouaregularincome.
Typesof EquityRelease
Lifetimemortgagesletyouborrowagainstthevalueof yourhomewhileretainingownership.Interestcanbepaidmonthlyoraddedtothemortgage.Flexiblemortgagesallowyoutoaccessfundsasrequiredsoyouonlypayinterestonwhatyouactuallyborrow.Theequityreleaseloandoesnotrequireyoutomakemonthlyrepaymentsandispaidoffinfull,oftenafteryourdeath,fromtheproceedsof thesaleofyourhome.
Homereversionplansletyousellallorashareofyourhomeatadiscount.Youcanchoosetohavethesaleproceedsasacashlumpsum,aregularincomeorboth.Youretaintherighttocarryonlivinginyourhome,rentfree,fortherestof yourlife.
Get more advice from us about
Equity Release
Wehaveourownteamwhocanhelpyouwithadviceaboutequityrelease.StepChangeEquityReleaseoffersfree,confidentialandindependentadviceinthiscomplexandspecialistarea.
AstheonlycharityownedandoperatedequityreleaseadviceserviceintheUK,wewillensurethatyouhavetheknowledgeandconfidencetomakeinformeddecisions.
YoucancontactStepChangeEquityReleaseformoreinformationortoarrangeforareviewon08442641969.
Thisarrangementmayinvolveeitheralifetimemortgageorhomereversionplan.Tounderstandthefeaturesandrisksaskforapersonalisedillustration.
StepChangeEquityReleaseisatradingnameof theConsumerCreditCounsellingService(EquityRelease)Ltd.TheConsumerCreditCounsellingService(EquityRelease)LtdisauthorisedandregulatedbytheFinancialServicesAuthority.
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
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Retirement Guide
Help from other charities
ManyothercharitiesthroughouttheUKprovideafreeserviceandcanadviseyouonsomeof thethingsweareunabletohelpwith.
Thefollowingsummaryprovidesyouwithabriefoutlineof thosetrustedorganisationsthatwillalsoprovidesupporttoyouasyoureachretirement.Theymayalsogiveyouideastohelpyoureducesomeof yourcostsandprovideyouwithideasforabetterlifestyle.
TaxHelpforOlderPeople
TaxHelpforOlderPeople(TOP)isanationalcharitythatcanhelpyouif youareexperiencingtaxproblemsandcansavemoneyif youhaveoverpaidtax.Theyprovidefree,confidentialandprofessionaladviceonpersonaltaxtoolderpeoplewhoareonasoleorjointincomeof lessthan£17,000ayear.
If youcareforanolderpersonwhoiseligibletouseTOPyoucanrequesthelponthatperson’sbehalf,evenif youdonothavePowerof Attorney.
TaxHelpforOlderPeoplecanbecontactedon08456013321orvisittheirwebsiteatwww.taxvol.org.uk.Beforecallingpleasemakesureyouhavepayslips,P60s,P45sandstatepensiondetailstohand.
AgeUK
AgeConcernandHelptheAgedhavejoinedtogether.TheneworganisationiscalledAgeUKandistheUK’slargestcharityforolderpeople.Informationguides,leaflets,booksandfactsheetsareavailableaimedatolderpeopleandthecarerswholookafterthem.Theyprovidesimple,expertinformationtohelpyoumaketherightchoicesduringyourretirement.
YoucancallTheAgeUKInformationLineon08001696565orvisittheirwebsiteatwww.ageuk.org.uk.If youliveinWales,pleasecontactyourlocalAgeConcernorvisitwww.accymru.org.uk
TheCinnamonTrust
TheCinnamonTrustisanationwidecharityforelderlyanddisabledpeoplewithpets.Theyhavevolunteerswhocanhelpyouwithcaringforyourpetif youarenolongerabletodosoyourself.Forexample,theycanwalkyourdogforyouif youarehouseboundortakecareof yourpetif youareduetogointohospital.Thiscansaveyoumoney,timeandgiveyoupeaceof mind.
YoucantelephoneTheCinnamonTruston01736757900orvisittheirwebsiteatwww.cinnamon.org.uk
Free debt adviceFreedebthelpfromStepChangeDebtCharitycall0800 138 1111
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Retirement Guide
Other free services
Youmaybepayingforthingsthatyounolongerneedtopayfor.Havealookatthefollowingareastoseewhatyoucangetfree.Thiswillhelpsaveyoumoremoney.
HealthCosts
OnceyouhavereachedstatepensionageyouautomaticallybecomeeligibleforfreeNationalHealthService(NHS)prescriptionsandeyesighttests.YoucanclaimyourtransportcostsbackforfrequentvisitstohospitalfromtheNHS.Formoreinformationvisitwww.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
BusTravel
If youareatstatepensionage,orareaneligibledisabledperson,andyouliveinEnglandyouareentitledtoafreeannualbuspass.Thepassgivesyoufreeoff-peaktravelonlocalbusesinEngland.Somelocalauthoritiesoffermorebenefitstoresidentsintheirlocalarea,soitisworthcontactingyourlocalauthoritytofindout.
If youareaged60oroverandyouliveinScotlandyouareentitledtoaNationalEntitlementCard.Thecardgivesyoufreetravelonlocalbusandscheduledlong-distancecoachserviceswithinScotlandatanytimeof theday.TheschemeisrunbyTransportScotlandandyouneedtoapplyforaNationalEntitlementCard.Formoreinformationvisitwww.transportscotland.gov.uk ortelephone01412727100.
If youareaged60oroverandyouliveinWalesyouareentitledtoafreebuspassfromyourlocalauthority.ThepassgivesyoufreetravelonalllocalbusservicesinWalesatanytimeof theday.Itcanalsobeusedonsomelong-distanceservices.
If youareaged65oroverandyouliveinNorthernIrelandyouareentitledtoaSeniorSmartPass.Thepassgivesyouunlimitedfreetravelonbusesandtrains.ApplicationformsareavailablefromTranslinkbusandrailstations.Torequestanapplicationform,telephone08456000049.
Other
Whenyoureachtheageof 75youqualifyforafreeTVlicence.If youwerebornonorbefore2ndSeptember1929,youareentitledtoafreepassport.
Free anonymous debt adviceFreedebthelponlinefromStepChangeDebtCharityatwww.stepchange.org
©2012FoundationforCreditCounsellingRegisteredOffice:WadeHouse,MerrionCentre,LeedsLS28NGRegisteredinEnglandNo2757055RegisteredCharityNo1016630
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