Explore seven financial strategies to increase your State Pension by up to £11,352

State pensioners could be hundreds of pounds better off because of new freebies and discounts. In total, there are seven financial avenues they can explore worth a total of £11,352.

This follows advice from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on how they can maximize their benefits. Among the changes are an increase in benefits which could amount to more than £100 a week and a change to pension credit of £75 a week.

In addition, pensioners should benefit from a range of transport changes as well as changes to National Insurance.

The state pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, but this will gradually increase from 6 May 2026. Since April 2016, there have been two different systems: the old state pension (sometimes referred to as the base). state pension) and the new state pension.

Which system you fit into depends on whether you reached state pension age before or after the new system was introduced, reports Birmingham Live.

Benefit increase – £108.55 per week

If you receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for additional support, also known as disability premium, which could be up to £5,644.60 a year. Eligibility criteria include reaching state pension age and having a physical disability (including sensory disabilities such as blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties) or both.

You may also qualify if your disability is severe enough that you need help with self-care or supervision for your safety or that of someone else, or if you need such assistance for at least six months .

To apply, you must be in the UK, have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years (exceptions apply for refugees or those with humanitarian protection status) and ordinarily live in the UK, Ireland , Isle of Man or Channel Islands.

In addition, you must not be under immigration control (unless you are a sponsored immigrant) and not receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment ( ADP).

Pension Credit – £75 per week

The pension credit is divided into two parts. Here’s how much the standard minimum guarantee is expected to increase by:.

To claim the standard minimum guarantee part of Pension Credit, your income must be below these amounts. In some cases, you may still be eligible if you have a higher income and have a severe disability, are a carer or have housing costs such as a mortgage to pay.

If you reached state pension age before 6 April 2016 or have savings or a second pension, you may be eligible for the savings credit element of Pension Credit. Here’s how much this part of Pension Credit will increase from April.

Additional payments may be available if you are a carer, severely disabled or responsible for a child or young person. Pension Credit can be backdated for up to three months, as long as you were eligible during that time.

You can apply for Pension Credit online through GOV. UK website, by calling 0800 99 1234 or by completing and submitting a paper application form.

Pension Credit is available if you are over State Pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales.

National Insurance Reduction – £26.81 per week

Once you reach state pension age, if you are employed, you stop paying National Insurance Class 1. If you are self-employed, you stop paying National Insurance Class 4 from 6 April (the start of the tax year) after you reach pension age Of the state.

On 6 February Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a 2p cut in National Insurance (NI) contributions for both employees and the self-employed. It marked the second cut in NI in less than six months, sparking rumors that the government could consider scrapping the tax altogether.

The state pension, which is the biggest benefit paid out of the UK’s National Insurance Fund, accounted for £110.2bn of the £115.7bn paid out of the fund in 2023.

Free prescriptions, worth £119 a year or £2.28 a week, are available to everyone aged 60 and over. For those under 60, the NHS offers Prescription Prepayment Certificates for 3 or 12 months, which cover all prescriptions needed during that period.

Once you turn 60, you’re also eligible for a free NHS sight test. It is important to let your optician know when you have reached this stage.

Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for:

A free bus pass, worth £2.46 per week. In England, these permits become available once you reach state pension age, currently set at 66, regardless of gender.

This pass allows you to travel for free during peak hours. If you live in the West Midlands, the pass can be used on buses from 9.30am to 11.59pm.

If you need to travel before 9.30am, a £1.50 single fare is available on National Express West Midlands buses – just show the driver your travel pass and ask for a £1.50 single ticket.

Reduced train fare, saving £2.73 per week

The Senior Railcard, designed specifically for those aged 60 and over, offers a third off UK rail fares. At just £30, the card pays for itself quickly after a few trips – the equivalent of a monthly cost of £2.50 if purchased annually.

Alternatively, a three-year Railcard can be purchased for £70, saving £20 compared to buying three separate one-year cards.

For those aged 60 or over living in a London borough, the 60+ Oyster card offers free travel in London on Transport for London services and most National Rail services. More details about the 60+ Oyster photo card, including eligibility, benefits and the application process, can be found online.

Cold Weather Pay – £25

A payment is made when the average temperature in your area drops to zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days. Each seven-day spell of freezing temperatures triggers a £25 payment, which is paid within 14 working days.

Multiple cold weather payments may be claimed during periods of sustained cold weather.