Free bus pass rules have changed in one part of UK due to state pension age changes
FREE bus travel may not only bring a sense of ease when it comes to running errands and enjoying social activities in the community, but it could reduce outgoings substantially, too.
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However, it's important to be aware that following changes to the state pension age, the rules for getting the older person's bus pass have changed in part of the UK. The change comes following ongoing increases to the UK state pension age.
In the past, the state pension age for women was 60, while it was 65 for men.
Under the Pensions Act 1995, then accelerated via the Pensions Act 2011, the state pension age for women was increased to 65 - reaching this in November 2018.
Since then there have been further changes - for both men and women.
As of October 6 this year, the state pension age for both sexes is now at least 66.
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Further changes are ahead, and this is under the Pensions Act 2014.
It means between 2026 and 2028, the state pension age will rise to 67.
With the state pension age being the age a person must reach to get the state pension, some may wonder why it can have an impact on the bus pass.
In parts of the UK it will not mean anything changes, however it does have an effect on this concession in England.
People who live in England can get a bus pass for free travel when they reach the female state pension age - regardless of whether they're a man or a woman.
Evidently, in the past this age would have been 60, however it is now at least 66.
On a local level, some of those living in England may still be able to travel for free on public transport once they turn 60, however this depends on where one lives.
For instance, a person who lives in London can travel for free on buses, tubes and other forms of transport when they're 60 - but only within the capital.
It's possible to check to see if an individual can get a bus pass from their local council sooner - and apply - via the "Apply for an older person's bus pass" section of the GOV.UK website.
To use the online tool, the person needs to input their postcode and then click "find".
The service will then match the postcode with the relevant council, and users can click through to the council's website.
The rules differ in other parts of the country.
For instance, in Wales, a person is still able to get a bus pass when they reach 60.
Meanwhile, those in Northern Ireland and Scotland can also get an older person's bus pass when they're 60.