Discounts and "Special Benefits" Seniors Are Entitled To But Often Forget to Claim
How Americans Are Saving Thousands of Dollars A Year With These Retirement Boosters
Everyone knows about basic, everyday discounts at restaurants and popular retailers, but you would be surprised to learn about some of the biggest discounts and Special Programs now available to help adults cut expenses and boost their retirement. Unfortunately many Americans are missing out entirely, simply because they don't know these programs exist.
That's why we put together this list of the simplest things anyone can do right now to save a small fortune this year.
Note That: Many of these programs are only available online. We encourage you to claim the items in the list below to make the most of it while they last.
1. Tax Counseling Assistance
If you need help filing your taxes every year, check with the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. They provide free tax assistance for qualified individuals that are 60 years or older. IRS-certified volunteers provide free assistance and basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing.
You don’t even need to submit an application to use the program; you just locate the nearest TCE site for services, and a majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program.
2. Utilities
It might be worth it to check with your utility providers and municipal government about discounted rates or assistance for seniors. You may qualify for special rates on your gas or electric bill based on age or financial need. Sometimes qualifying for these programs can also make you automatically eligible for weatherization assistance, which can help provide insulation, fix heaters and furnaces, or replace broken windows.
For example, customers of Georgia Power or Atlanta Gas Light that are 65 or older could be eligible for a discount on their metered service if they meet income qualifications.
3. Rental Cars
Whether your car is in the shop or you’re traveling, if you need to rent a car, you could be eligible for special senior discounts from various car rental companies.
AARP members can get up to 25% off through Alamo Car Rental, or save $10-25 at Avis. Budget Rent-A-Car also offers anywhere from 10% to 25% off on vehicles to AARP members. If you’re not an AARP member, you can still pick up exclusive deals through Hertz, with their senior discount for drivers aged 50 or over.
4. Dining
Plenty of restaurants across the nation offer senior discounts. Some places, like Rainforest Cafe, Outback Steakhouse, and McCormick & Schmick’s offers 10% off to AARP members. Other big restaurants, like Applebee’s and Chili’s, offer senior discounts that vary by location, and they don’t require AARP membership to get the special rate.
Other restaurants opt for a senior menu with discounted menu items, like The Old Spaghetti Factory. And of course, there are plenty of non-chain local restaurants that might offer savings, as well.
5. National Parks
If you love national parks, recreation sites, and historic sites, you could be visiting them at a deep discount. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands offers a Senior Pass for citizens who are 62 and up.
The Senior pass costs $20 annually (plus a $10 handling fee), or you can snag a lifetime pass for only $80. With it, you can visit more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. It can also provide a discount on expanded amenity fees, like camping and swimming.
6. Flights
Depending on where you’re going and who you’re flying with, you could be snagging a senior discount to help with travel costs. Not all airlines offer senior discounts, but big names like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines still do.
For some, like Delta, you can’t get a senior discount when booking online. You’ll have to call the airline directly to get your savings. Others, like United Airlines, do allow travelers to select the senior discount on their website.
7. Amazon Prime Membership
Did you know you can get a Prime membership for more than half the regular cost? It’s a total savings of more than $80 a year. And for this one, Amazon has no age requirements — they give discounts on their Prime membership to medicaid recipients.
Cardholders can get their Prime membership for $5.99 a month, as opposed to the full price of $12.99 a month. That’s a steal, considering membership includes two-day shipping, same-day grocery delivery, access to Amazon’s video and music streaming services, access to over a thousand Kindle books, unlimited photo storage, and more.
8. Cell Phone Plans
National provider AT&T has a cell phone plan just for seniors. The AT&T Senior National plan is only for customers that are 65 and older. The plan includes 200 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile minutes, and 500 nights and weekend minutes without any roaming or long-distance charges.
The plan only costs $29.99, which is much cheaper than the company’s regular plans. But there’s a catch — this plan is only eligible for basic phones, so you can’t use it for smartphones or tablets.
9. Non-Prescription Purchases at Walgreens
Although Walgreens got rid of their Balance Rewards program, they are still offering extra savings to seniors. Customers who are 55 or older can join myWalgreens, or AARP members can enjoy extra savings earlier, starting at age 50.
Each month, Walgreens has Senior Savings Day, which is always the first Tuesday of the month. Senior shoppers with myWalgreens can get 20% off their non-prescription purchases in-store, or 20% off online purchases for an entire week. There are restrictions on what the discount applies to, though, so be sure to check the fine print.
10. Fitness
They say that if you don’t use it, you lose it — and that also applies to our bodies. That’s why staying active is so important! But fitness classes and gyms aren’t exactly cheap. That’s where Silver Sneakers comes in. Through this organization, adults that are 65 or older are eligible to take online classes from home or hit the gym in person at no cost.
From gyms to community centers, they have more than 15,000 participating fitness locations for you to choose from. They also have their own fitness app that allows you to access fitness programs on the go, track activities, and find locations.
11. Hotels
While you’re traveling around, you can also pick up discounted rates and amenities at certain hotels to help stretch your dollar. And while you can get special pricing on hotels with an AARP membership, several hotels offer their own special rates, as well.
Choice Hotels (which includes about a dozen chains) and Wyndham Hotel Group offer price breaks to those 60 or older, while Marriott brand hotels and Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts give price breaks to those 62 and older. Omni Hotels & Resorts won’t make you wait as long — you’ll be eligible for a senior discount at 55.
12. Auto Parts and Accessories
You likely already know that Pep Boys is a great spot to pick up DIY auto parts, brakes, oil, tools, diagnostic tools, GPS and navigation, jacks, and much more. If it’s car-related, it’s here. But did you know that Pep Boys also offers a special senior discount on all those auto parts and accessories?
If you are 55 years or older, you are eligible to receive a 10% discount. All you need to do is flash a valid ID to get the offer. It’s for in-store purchases only; you can’t get the discount with online orders.
13. Groceries
Although Kroger and some other major grocery stores stopped offering senior discounts, there are plenty of other grocery store chains that offer them to shoppers that qualify. Bi-Lo, Piggly Wiggly, and DeCicco all offer 5% off every Wednesday for customers 60 and older.
Publix also offers 5% off on Wednesday, but only in Tennessee, North Carolina, and northern portions of Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. Meanwhile, Fred Meyer has a 10-15% discount for those 55+ on the first Tuesday of each month, Harris Teeter offers 5% off every Thursday if you’re 60+, and Compare Foods Supermarket offers 10% off every Wednesday for shoppers 60+.
14. AARP
As you’ve probably already gathered, having a membership with AARP comes with a lot of discounts. From restaurants to hotels to concert tickets, we’ve already covered plenty of ways to get discounts by flashing your AARP membership card. It’s also worth noting that AARP membership starts at 50, while most senior discounts outside of AARP usually don’t start until 55 or 60 — so you get to enjoy those savings even earlier.
This list of discounts wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all the other discounts you can pick up with an AARP membership, though. The membership provides savings on health and wellness products and services, tons of travel options, hotels and resorts, financial investments, fraud prevention, auto services, restaurants, and more.
15. Train Travel
If you prefer the scenic, comfortable, and stress-free traveling that you can experience with train travel, you’ll be happy to know that you could also be eligible for a senior discount through Amtrak. Amtrak travelers 65 years or older are eligible for a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.
On cross-border lines operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, that 10% discount is available to travelers who are 60 or older. On top of that, Amtrak offers free Red Cap baggage handling service at many major stations to help you with your luggage.
16. Cruises
If you’re planning on setting sail, you might want to check with the cruise line to see if they offer senior discounts before you book. You could be saving plenty of money on your next getaway.
Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer savings on cruises for seniors age 55 and older, but they certainly aren’t the only cruise line offering up discounts. On top of that, AARP members can enjoy extra onboard credits, discounts on tours with certain companies, and more.
17. Historic Hotels of America
I love staying in unique places when I can, and historic properties make for truly remarkable travel experiences. So, if you’d rather discover fine historic hotels instead of those cookie-cutter chain hotels and motels, check out Historic Hotels of America.
This official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation currently encompasses over 300 historic hotels, and they offer special senior rates at many of their member hotels. Some bookings may require an AARP membership card to secure a discounted rate.
18. Arts and Crafts Supplies
If you like to spend a lot of time dabbling in arts and crafts, you’ll be happy to learn that you can get a senior discount at Michaels — and that discount applies to sale items, too. There are some exclusions, like custom framing and Cricut machines, so be sure to check the website or with a store team member.
Anyone 55 and older can enjoy 10% off their entire purchase, including any sale items. If you link your senior status to your Michaels Rewards account, your discount will be automatically applied to in-store and online purchases. Or, if you don’t want to sign up for a rewards account, just show the cashier your ID at checkout.
19. Movie Tickets
If you are heading to the theater to see the latest summer blockbuster, check out AMC Theaters for their special senior rates. Maybe you can use your savings for extra movie snacks!
According to AMC, “You must be at least 60 years young to purchase a Senior Discount ticket.” You don’t have to wait until you get to the theater to get your discounted rate, either. If you’re purchasing tickets online, you can select the senior ticket when choosing a seat.
20. Fast Food
It’s not just sit-down restaurants that offer special rates. Well-known fast-food chains offer senior discounts, too. Both Subway and Burger King give 10% off to customers 60 and older. Taco Bell takes 5% off, and also gives free beverages for customers 65 and older.
For something sweet, all you have to do is flash an AARP membership card at Dunkin’ Donuts to get a free donut with the purchase of a large drink. And Dairy Queen does free small drinks at some locations and 10% off for seniors.
21. Pancakes and More
While a lot of restaurants and fast food joints offer senior discounts on food, IHOP has an entire menu devoted to special senior rates on delicious food. They have a menu dedicated to customers age 55 and older.
On their 55+ menu, you’ll find plenty of choices, from breakfast to brunch to dinner options. There are, of course, pancakes, but they also have breakfast samplers, french toast, BLTs and other sandwiches, chicken strips, a roasted turkey dinner, and even a grilled tilapia dinner.
22. Smartphones With AT&T
Of course, if you prefer having a smartphone and need a different cell phone plan through AT&T, AARP can still help you save money on your cell phone bill. AARP members can take advantage of the AT&T Signature Program.
With it, AARP members can save up to $10 per line per month with the AT&T Unlimited Elite plan. Plus, they can receive up to $45 in waived activation and upgrade fees, and can save up to 15% on select accessories.
23. T-Mobile Service
AT&T isn’t the only service provider that offers senior discounts. T-Mobile also has special pricing for customers 55 and older. In fact, they have three different plans for you to choose from if you qualify.
All three of T-Mobile’s senior discount plans offer unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data, with 5G access at no extra cost. Two of the plans also include a free Netflix subscription, one includes one hour of in-flight wifi, and another even has unlimited in-flight wifi and 4K UHD streaming.
24. Verizon Service
If you happen to be a Florida resident, you also have the option of cell phone service through Verizon with a senior discount. They do not offer their senior discount in other states at this time.
Verizon has the 55+ Unlimited Plan, which offers unlimited talk, text, and data for customers that are 55 years old and older and reside in Florida. It is for up to 2 lines. If you’re new to Verizon, you can sign up for the plan online after they verify your eligibility. If you already have Verizon service, you have to contact Verizon or visit a store to verify your eligibility and get the 55+ Unlimited Plan.
25. Captioned Telephone Service
For those with medically recognized hearing loss, using a regular phone might not be easy, or even possible. But you can still stay connected by using CaptionCall, a company that has phones that caption what callers say. They also offer an app to caption calls on cell phones.
The service is free for anyone with medically recognized hearing loss, thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The company is an FCC-authorized captioned telephone service provider.
26. Concert and Event Tickets
AARP members (50+) can get special discounts on tickets through Ticketmaster for favorite sports teams or shows at venues and arenas across the nation. Ticketmaster has AARP member exclusive offers for several of their events.
And in fact, it’s not just for the AARP member — you can use your discount to get tickets for three friends, too. Ticketmaster will also give you 25% off with their Me + 3 4-Packs, which is a four-pack of tickets to a show or event purchased at the same time.
27. Education
They say you should never stop learning, so why not make the most of your golden years by going back to school? Although higher education can be costly, many colleges across the country offer cheap or even free classes for senior citizens.
Age requirements vary by institution, so you’ll have to check at your local college to see if you’re eligible. Some schools allow you to work towards a degree. Others allow you to audit a class at no cost, and while you can’t earn a degree, you can learn as much as you want!
28. Traveling in NYC
If you are planning a trip to New York City, you will need to think about how you will get around the city. Transportation can get costly, especially for a retiree on a fixed income.
Luckily, there are some surprising discounts for seniors that will help you get around the five boroughs for less money than you might think. Seniors 65 and older can show a government-issued ID to get a 50% discount on travel fare on the city’s subways and buses. Seniors only pay $8.50 to ride one-way on the Newark Airport Express, too.
29. Clothing and More
Ross stores are full of clothing, footwear, bedding, jewelry, housewares, and more — and customers who are 55 and older are eligible for a senior discount. To get the discount, eligible shoppers need to sign up for Ross Stores’ Every Tuesday Club. It’s a free program that grants you a 10% discount on purchases made on (you guessed it!) Tuesdays,
Sign up for the program by showing a valid ID at the customer service desk. Many stores will give you a card that you bring with you on Tuesdays to shop; otherwise, you may be required to show your ID when you check out.
30. More Shopping
If you love shopping, Ross isn’t the only retail store chain that offers a senior discount. From thrift stores to department stores, you can find deals all over the place that only apply to seniors. Banana Republic offers 10% off to those 50 or older, while Kohl’s offers 15% off on Wednesdays to customers who are 60 or older.
Bealls Department Store gives 15% off to customers 55+ on Tuesdays, and Belk offers 15% off on the first Tuesday of every month to customers that are 62+. With thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army Thrift Stores, they give anywhere from 10% up to 50% off to shoppers 55+, but days and discounts vary by location.
