Senior Discounts That Will Save You the Most Money
Life is expensive, even if you work full time (or more than full time). The struggle is real, and it gets even harder as you age. Living on a fixed income (the average Social Security benefit is less than $2,000 per month ) plus rising health care costs plus inflation equals many people struggling to stay afloat when they should be enjoying a well-earned retirement.
This is why senior discounts were invented – back in the 1960s, someone noticed that many people over 65 lived in poverty . The idea of offering discounts to seniors came from good old American marketing; it made companies look good. If you’re over 55 (in some cases you only need to be over 50 ), you can benefit from this cynical capitalist strategy—often in surprising ways. There are more senior discounts than you think if you know where to look.
National and state parks
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast planning to take a vacation this year, you can get great deals at our national and state parks. For National Parks, once you turn 62, you can buy a lifetime pass for just $80 and an annual pass for $20. This will allow you free entry to almost all recreation areas managed by the National Park Service, as well as areas managed by other federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and give you discounts on amenities and services inside.
State park systems vary, but it’s worth finding out if your state offers senior discounts , as this can make camping or sightseeing much more affordable.
iHOP
Many restaurants offer discounts for seniors – it’s no secret. From national chains to your local favorites, it’s always worth asking if they offer anything to their older patrons. What’s interesting about iHOP’s approach is that it’s not just a percentage taken from your account, but an entire separate menu . It’s not the largest menu in the world, but there are some great deals, many under $10.
Bouncy Boys
Most people are stunned to find that 55 is considered “older” these days, but it is true. Since you’ll likely still be driving your car despite your age , you should know that any Pep Boys location in your area will give you a 10% discount when you bring your car in for service.
Zipcar
A car is a major expense, even if you work full time. Once you retire, paying for gas, maintenance and insurance can become a significant part of your budget. If you live in a city where Zipcar operates, you can get $20 off your annual membership fee and have a car when you need it without having to park or maintain it (or pay for gas). To get this, you must be a member of AARP , but if you’re willing to give up your personal car, it might be worth it.
Flowers
Whether you’re congratulating, wooing, mourning, or simply brightening someone’s day, you can get significant discounts on floral arrangements when you’re old enough. As a member of AARP, you can get up to 30% off flower orders through FTD, and if you join the Association of Senior American Citizens (AMAC), you can get 20% off 1-800-Flowers .
Airlines
Airlines don’t offer a lot of senior discounts, and finding the ones that do may require a lot of research or a lot of phone calls, since many airlines only offer senior discounts if you book directly with them over the phone. However, it’s worth checking out because these deals do exist. For example, British Airways is currently offering up to $200 off airfare for AARP members, but Delta’s senior discounts are top secret , and you’ll have to call them to find out if your destination qualifies. Bottom line: There may be discounts on airfare for seniors, but you’ll have to work hard to find them.
Pet insurance
Caring for a beloved pet has incredible benefits for everyone, but these benefits are more pronounced for older adults, who tend to be more isolated and lonely than younger people. If you have a pet or two, you know that caring for them can be very, very expensive, so you should know that you can get a10 to 20% discount on pet insurance through your AMAC or AARP membership.
Wine
Being elderly means you’re either retired or planning to retire, and for some of us, that means more time to sit and sip some fine wine. Good news: You can get discounts on wine orders from Naked Wines (via AARP) and Vinesse Wines (AMAC), which will make your boozy days a lot more affordable.
GYM’s
Getting older doesn’t mean you take less care of yourself—in fact, it usually means the opposite. Even if you’ve never been a gym rat, all those aches and pains that start piling up after a certain age make hitting the gym a pretty good idea. And you can often get real offers if you can prove your age. For example, there are many programs that can get you a free YMCA membership , and if you have a Medicare Advantage health plan, you can take advantage of the Silver Sneakers program, which offers deep discounts on a wide range of health care services. , including access to participating gyms nationwide.