The Perks of Being Older – Discounts and Savings for Seniors
All you need to know about the Senior Perks!
Getting older doesn’t have to be such a pain in the back (literally and figuratively). There are all kinds of advantages in becoming a senior citizen. We’ll be tackling all the advantages, where and why you should avail of them when you can. All the deals and discounts we will be discussing are dated as of December 2021.
Travel Deals
You can avail a wide range of senior discounts when traveling across the states. Transportation companies such as AmTrak, public buses, rental car companies etc. Travelers are eligible for 10% off some Amtrak fares at age 65 and older. AmTrak offers seniors a 15% discount in California. Enjoy the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins. It will definitely be easier for seniors to hop from state to state on the railways and buses at a moderately lower price. When you get to your destination, there are multiple hotels that provide discounts as well, getting settled in won’t be a problem then! Hilton Hotels offer varied discounts for 65+ with AARP Membership. Sight-seeing and visiting tourist spots also provide a ton of senior discounts and perks. Avail of a National Park Service lifetime senior pass to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for just $80 in person and you will be so busy with traveling and tourist spot hopping it’ll feel like you’re in your 20s again!
Health Insurance
Staying healthy, even at a younger age, can get pricey. Health insurances tend to cost a fortune, however, as a senior citizen you’re able to avail of the many perks when you sign up for Medicare. For Part A under Medicare, you don’t pay anything at all for hospital insurance. A premium of Part B under medicare, which costs around $148 per month as of 2021, covers doctor’s visits and medical services. AARP members and their families can save 61% on average with the AARP Prescription Discount Card. This discount is a massive undertaking as you get older to be healthy and with this coverage, it will certainly make doctor’s trips and hospital visits lighter on your pockets.
Go back to school
Some people nowadays opt to work instead of continue their studies in college and get a degree. It certainly is more economical for some families when you may be in a financial situation. However, senior citizens may be able to avail of low-cost or even free college tuitions at certain institutions and finish your studies. There are over 100 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on college campuses that offer affordable classes specifically for retirees. Perks such as discounts and free school supplies as well are provided by different organizations. If a few years back in school isn’t for you, there are also short vocational classes that are provided by different institutes. Hundreds of online classes may also be availed for free through different institutions. If a classroom setting is not your cup of tea, there are classes meant to help you stay physically fit. YMCA has programs available for seniors and retirees such as swimming lessons, dance lessons and yoga. Everyone loves yoga! It’s never too late to keep learning.
Keeping it simple
For homebody type of retirees, there are several senior services that you can avail. Door-to-door transportation such as Lyft offer discounts and perks for retirees. Apps and companies such as ElliQ’s Care program which provides different services such as health check-ins, grocery deliveries, online socializing and messaging. All for free and easily accessible for senior citizens. And if you don’t have a device to access these apps on, AARP has a program called Grandpad that offers 5% monthly discount for those who want to avail. Low-cost smart phones and tablets are so handy nowadays, and help with communicating with loved ones.
Tax deductibles
Retirees at 50+ can make catch-up contributions and defer paying income tax on as much as $26,000 that they contribute to a 401(k) plan, $6,500 more than younger workers. The IRA contribution limit is also $1,000 higher for workers 50 and older, or $7,000 in 2021. Taxpayers who are 55+ who have a high-deductible health plan are also eligible to put an extra $1,000 in a health savings account. You can also sign up for reduced Social Security payments at the age of 62 or claim the full amount you earned at your full retirement at 66. If you delay claiming your payments past your full retirement age up until age 70, you will earn delayed retirement credits that will further boost your monthly benefit.
Daily luxuries
The perks of being older doesn’t necessarily mean you have to live big and loud to enjoy your sunset years. There are tons of benefits all around you that you may not even be aware of. Restaurants offer discounted prices for food while some have special senior menus with slashed rates and affordable prices. Movie theatres have ‘senior day’ wherein you’re able to avail of a discounted movie ticket or, for some theatres, offer free movie tickets on particular days. National parks near you are great places to visit for some fresh air and sight-seeing that, as mentioned above, you can avail a lifetime pass for. Shopping establishments such as Kohl’s which offers 15% off every Wednesday and discounted lenses, frames, contacts at LensCrafters. According to dealnews.com, 94% of seniors prefer to shop on Amazon. Online shopping is such a huge industry now and with this great discount from UPS, you’re able to avail 5% off shipping and 15% off other products and services, as long as you present your AARP card upon checkout. Think how much you can save from your online purchases and deliveries.
Information is knowledge
Don’t forget to ask your nearby retail establishments if they have any deals or discounts that you can avail as a senior citizen. Unfortunately, information like this is not widely publicized and in some establishments, you will have to ask for any benefits you may be able to use in your purchases. Searching online as well for specific benefits such as a more local store or government subsidiary will greatly help and will do nothing but aid you in enjoying your senior years.
