Life-long Learning for those no longer in full time employment
National pensioner rebates and concessions
Although U3A is primarily a learning co-operative for people in the third age, we think there is nothing wrong in exchanging information amongst ourselves about rebates and discounts available to senior citizens.
Each U3A may be able able to identify privileges available to senior citizens in its town or city. Look at the 7 or more concessions identified by our diligent Cape Town members, for example.
In this section we give information on privileges available to pensioners from national organisations. Whether it's reductions on car cover or reduced price hearing aids, it is always helpful to have these privileges and to be aware of them.. Some of these are state or parastatal, and some of them are commercial. The savings we've identified so far in this section, assuming that you watch TV, have a Post Box and a phone and don't have a big income, are R561 per year. This is about 15 times the cost of your annual U3A membership fee.
Who says that being a member of U3A isn't good value??
Automobile Association
If you are 60 or over, your annual membership of the AA will be R 497.50, (called "AA Alliance" membership for pensioners) instead of the full membership fee. This includes 3 call-outs per membership year. The procedure is to provide them with proof of your age such as an ID document, either by calling at an AA office or simply advising them over the phone. They can check your ID number and they'll apply the reduction.. To sign up for AA Alliance Membership, contact 083 843 22.
If you are not 60 or over, the annual subscription for the AA"Advantage" package is R 780, including 5 call outs. This amounts to a saving of (780 - 498 = ) R 282.
AVIS Car HireAVIS offers to Senior Citizens over 65 a 20 % discount on car hire in all groups.
Builders Warehouse
A member contacted us to say that he received a 10% discount on
his purchases on a Wednesday at Builders Warehouse Rivonia. The cashier
asked whether he was a Senior Citizen of 60 or more, and gave the
10% discount without asking for proof. This is probably a general
discount available at any Builders Warehouse store, not special to Rivonia.
This discount is available on Wednesdays.
Cape Town specials
Our Cape Town members have contributed the following -
Entry to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical
Garden
is free for pensioners on Tuesdays
and public holidays
The Aquarium on the Waterfront costs R60 for pensioners
instead of the usual R76
All Iziko museums and galleries, Groot Constantia and the planetarium
R5, free on public holidays
All cinemas R23 instead of R45 daytime
PathCare 25% off pathology tests, if not covered by medical aid for out
of hospital items
Greyhound / InterCape buses 20% - but also see below.......
Cruises Rhapsody, Melody stopping at Cape Town 20%
Cape Argus subscription half-price, presumably Cape Times also
Spur restaurants have a special pensioners' menu which is great value
Entry to the Sea Point Pavilion and pool is free to pensioners
Many thanks - any more, people?
DION
Nu Metro gives Senior Citizens aged 60
and over a 50
% discount on all shows on weekdays up to and including the
5.30 one, and on Saturdays and Sundays. Depending on which cinema you
go to, this means paying R 7 not
R14 or R19
not R38.
[I think these are the concessions - I'm guessing that they match the
ones that Ster Kinekor give.]
The procedure is to show your ID at the Box Office.
Dated February 2008.
Various concessions are available if you are member of the SAARP. In particular INSURANCE obtained through the Assoication can get you considerable savings. Here is a recent testimonial.
"We are currently insured with Mutual & Federal. Thanks to the SAARP, next month we switch to Alexander Forbes. We are taking the opportunity to increase the value of the house and its contents, including adding my notebook under all risks. Our premium goes down by over 40%, giving a saving of some R 550 per month! "
Go to the SAARP
web site, and follow the instructions for joining.
The SABC gives a rebate to pensioners aged 70 and over on the annual TV Licence Fee, provided that no persons younger than the specified age are sharing the house and benefit from watching. The normal charge is R 225, and the rebated charge is R 160, so the value of this concession is R 65 per year. (We're waiting for final confirmation of the qualifications.)
The procedure is to get an affidavit (your bank will probably do this) affirming who stays in your house, and mail it with a copy of your ID and a note giving your account number and asking for the concession, to Private Bag X60, Auckland Park 2006, Freepost JHZ153K. Or you can fax them on 011 330 9560/1.
SA Post Office Box Rental
The Post Office defines a pensioner as someone over 60. A pensioner holding a Postbank account gets the full concession. This is bigger than for someone who does not hold a Postbank account. However, you only get a concession if you earn less than R 10 000 per year. The full concession is 50% of the normal box rental charge. The normal charge is R 225, so the value of this concession is R 112 per year.
The procedure is to go into your local Post
Office with your
ID and proof of earnings 'that is, a pension reference number'. We're
not sure what one of these is, but if you have one then you'll know.
[Source - Mike Olien of SAP as reported in the Sandton Chronicle w/e 27
Jan 2005. We suggest that you don't get your hopes up by the
fact that the official pamphlet describing this, 'Renew your Post Box',
says you qualify if you earn ">R1000 per year".]
Shosholoza Meyl train services
Shosholoza Meyl train services offer a 25% discount to seniors over 60.
Starlight Cruises
Starlkight Cruises offers a 20 % discount on cruises of 2 to 4 nights, and 10% for cruises of 5 nights or longer.
Ster Kinekor
Ster Kinekor gives Senior Citizens aged 60 and over a 50 % discount on all shows on weekdays up to and including the 5.30 one, and on Saturdays and Sundays. Depending on which cinema you go to, this means paying R 7 not R14 or R19 not R38.
The procedure is to go to a cinema, produce your ID and ask for a Sixty Plus card.
Telkom Line Rental Charges
Telkom gives pensioners aged 70 and over a 1/3 reduction on the line rental charge. The result will depend on what your bill says - what appears on mine and what the lady in the Customer Service Centre said are different. Using the figures on my invoice, the rental is R 93.98 excl. VAT. So the value of this concession or rebate should be [rental times rebate plus VAT] (R 93.98 * 0.3*1.14 =) R 32. This applies every month so the annual value is (32*12) R 384 per year.
The procedure is to look up your nearest Telkom Customer Service Centre in the front pages of your telephone directory, pay them a visit, produce your ID and ask for the concession.
You’ve Earned It has recently re-launched as YEI – You’ve Earned It! A guide to discounts and benefits for boomers, seniors and retirees. YEI serves as an all-encompassing online platform for this age group, and provides a brand-new environment where our subscribers can read about issues and topics that are relevant to their daily lives, communicate with like-minded people, and share stories and experiences.
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