Pensioner perks: The big savings that come with being over 60

Getting older can be a scary prospect, and it can be hard to accept that you have entered a new phase.

However, once you embrace it, there are a number of benefits and perks just for being over 60.

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Firstly, you can get preferable property rates.

As a pensioner, you qualify for a rebate on your property rates of between 40% and 100%.

Each municipality has different requirements so be sure to check online.

In addition to this, you can get some wonderful senior benefits for experiences in the great outdoors.

SANparks offers discounts for those over 60, although this excludes certain months of the year, Fridays, Saturdays and long weekends.

Discounts on SANparks accommodation can be as high as 40%.

You will also qualify for Cape Nature’s senior citizen discount of 30% off all self-catering and camping facilities.

If you would prefer some indoor fun, you can qualify for a 22% discount on all ticket types at Ster Kinekor, except on Tuesdays.

At Nu Metro, you can get discounts of up to 50%, except on Wednesdays.

Shopping retailers such as Game, Makro, Clicks, Dischem, Pick n Pay, and more, all offer discount or benefit programmes for those over 60 with a valid SA ID.

You can find even more discounts on the You’ve Earned It! Platform, which highlights some of the many benefits for ‘Silver Spenders.’

Below is a breakdown of some of the discounts you qualify for if you are 60 and over:

RETAIL:

Game

Over 60s can qualify for a Senior Citizens’ Discount Card From 24 January, Game is extending its former pensioner day to the entire week.

That will offer registered over-60s a maximum discount of R300 every day, at a rate of 10% on almost everything it sells.

Makro

Over 60s get 10% off of general purchases and 5% off food purchases when using a pensioners card. You also get priority entry to the store and checkout.

Clicks

If you are 60 years or older and a ClubCard member, you can opt for Clicks’ ClubCard Seniors programme and earn Double Points on the second Wednesday of the month on their exclusive Double Points Days.

On these days, you get one additional ClubCard Point for every Point you earn.

Dischem

The 60 Plus Programme gives pensioners double points on all purchases made on a Wednesday.

They offer a free blood pressure test each month if you fill your chronic medication scripts at a Dischem Pharmacy, salon special from Monday to Thursday and invites to the 60+ Pensioners Teas.

Builders Warehouse

Over 60s can get a10% discount on Wednesday, you will just need to apply for their pension card.

Pick ‘n Pay

The management of Pick ‘n Pay hypermarkets, family markets and supermarkets are free to decide their own pensioner policies with regards discounts.

Some of them issue special booklets with discount coupons every month for pensioners, for meat, dairy, fish and other foods.

Others have a pensioners day once a week where a 5% discount is offered, and others have a Pensioners’ Tea once a month. Senior citizens need to be over 60 and show ID.

V&A Waterfront

The Waterfront has a Seniors Programme where over 60s get discounts on some retail purchases.

In addition to this, they offer free parking from 9am to 2pm.

Torga Optical

The Pensioners Promotion has three options for pensioners 60 and above, which are redeemable country-wide.

Ster Kinekor

Seniors enjoy 22% discount on all ticket types except Tuesday.

Seniors also receive access to exclusive SK CLUB screenings and the SK Club Lounge

Nu Metro

Over 60s can enjoy up to 50% discount on movies, providing you bring along ID, any day except Wednesday.

Baxter Theatre

Seniors can get a discount on tickets at the theatre.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT:

SANParks

SANParks offers discounts on normal tariffs to social pensioners and all permanent residents of South Africa 60 years and older, provided the reservation is made in the name of the qualifying person.

This applies only to certain months of the year and excludes Fridays, Saturdays and long weekends.

The discounts are for camping or staying in accommodation and can be up to 40% off the normal rate.

Cape Nature

If you are 60 years or older with a valid SA ID, you qualify for Cape Nature’s senior citizen discount of 30% off all self-catering and camping facilities.

All you need to do is call in and secure the 30% on your booking.

The discount can be used Monday to Sunday except for long weekends and the December school holidays.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Those 60 and over can get in for free every Tuesday, but must have a South African ID with them.

City Sightseeing Cape Town

South African pensioners (60 and over) qualify for a special discounted price - Classic Bus ticket (1-Day All routes): R195 instead of R 295

Harbour or Canal cruise: R45 instead of R75

These discounted tickets are only available from their ticket offices and cannot be bought online.

The offices are at V&A Waterfront, located outside the Two Oceans Aquarium, and the CBD office is located at 81 Long Street.

You will need bring your South African barcoded ID to qualify, and the discounts are valid 7 days a week.

Tiger Wheel & Tyre

Every Tuesday, pensioners get 15% OFF services and, 5% additional discount off the total net amount of final invoice capped at R2 500, incl VAT (R125 incl VAT).

Hertz

If you are 55 years or older, a hired car from Hertz’s ‘A group’ fleet can be as little as R200 per day.

Rates include theft and damage waivers, airport surcharge, VAT, tourism levy and 200 kilometres free per day.

Intercape

From 60 and above you qualify for a 15% discount.

Metrorail

When traveling by Metrorail, you can get a 40% discount on train fares as a senior citizens over 60, with a valid South African ID.

AA (Automobile Association)

Over 60s get a substantial discount for an annual AA Membership.