Discounts for over-60s: loveMONEY readers say they should stay

Strong support for discounted tickets for the elderly, after the Intergenerational Foundation called for them to be abolished

Over two-thirds of loveMONEY readers believe that over-60s should get discounted tickets to tourist attractions.

Readers were polled after yesterday’s article on the Intergenerational Foundation thinktank latest report, which describes the discounts offered to older households as ‘unfair’.

The Foundation calls for the removal of discounts (of which we’ve made a list) for those below the State Pension age and wants to introduce more discounts for under-30s.

The majority of loveMONEY readers appear not to have been convinced by the Intergenerational Foundation’s calls.

“Please stop lumping together all those over 60”

That was the comment from loveMONEY reader geniegal, who was among many other commenters who felt the Intergenerational Foundation’s report inaccurately treated all elderly people as wealthy.

Geneigal, who describes him or herself as an 80-year old wheelchair user, argued that: “our incomes are as varied as the under 30’s. I am not complaining just stating facts.”

Regular reader Quarket also criticised the assumption that elderly people are wealthy, explaining that “my pension is just above the living wage for someone working 40 hours per week and my wife's pension is about 2/3 of that.”

Pensions on the full new State Pension receive £164.35 a week, equating to an annual income of £8,546.20, with the older Basic State Pension paying £6,549.40 – both have gone up in recent years, at a slightly faster rate than wage growth.

“The point about discounts”

As many readers pointed out, discounts aren’t just in place because of inequalities in wealth.

According to loveMONEY regular Overtone: “The point about discounts is to help those who are retired to lead a more active and interesting. That, in turn, helps them to stay mentally and physically fit.”

Reader 5050vision noted that older people go to attractions and use services at times other people cannot, due to work or school commitments.

Frances56 suggested that “National Trust and English Heritage do not tend to attract many teenagers or 20-somethings - most visitors are much older and I don't think that knocking a few quid off the entrance price would result in a large change in the demographic.”

They also pointed out that students get a number of discounts, which you can read about here.

One of the most powerful points was made by the above-mentioned Overtone, who was open to the idea of younger people getting benefits, but believed the Intergenerational Foundation’s report created division:

“Use the label "baby boomer" to get people on your side and against the older people you want to attack.”

Haven’t yet read the Intergenerational Foundation’s report for yourself? Click here for our article then share your thoughts in the comments section below.