A to Z

This A to Z list will point you in the right direction to finding more information about the entitlements or services you might receive once you are a pensioner. You can also look up pension options open to you if you are planning or reviewing your retirement income. Click on the relevant letter below.

For more options visit the A to Z of the Department for Work and Pensions website

Early retirement: If you take early retirement, you cannot get the State Pension until you reach State Pension age, but you can get a Pension forecast, so you can see how much State Pension you can expect to receive in today's money values.
Find out more about early retirement on the Department for Work and Pensions website

EEA: The European Economic Area (EEA) is made up of all European Union countries - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

The UK is also part of the EEA. UK means England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Gibraltar is treated as another EEA country by the UK. Other EEA countries treat Gibraltar as part of the UK.

Switzerland is not a member of the EEA, but as the result of an agreement with the EU that came into force on 1 June 2002, the majority of EU rules on social security also cover Switzerland. However, EU rules do not apply to Swiss nationals going to or coming from Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway or nationals of these countries who are going to or who are coming from Switzerland.

Great Britain means England, Scotland and Wales. Remember that this website is only a general guide to benefits and schemes and is not a full and authoritative statement of the law.

Employment: See Paid work or Voluntary work

energywatch: is the independent watchdog for all gas and electricity consumers. energywatch provides free help and advice on all gas and electricity matters. It recently launched a campaign to increase the number of eligible people signed up for the free services under the Priority Service Register.
For more information call energywatch on 0845 906 0708 (typetalk 18001 0845 906 0708)
Visit the energywatch website.

Eye tests: If you are aged 60 or over, you can have free eye tests with the NHS.
Find out more about eye tests on the NHS website