Who doesn't love getting things at discounts or for free, especially when you're a senior who is approaching retirement or already receiving your pension? After years of hard work, you'll be thinking about managing your finances and saving more money. Luckily, American seniors enjoy plenty of discounts and freebies. Many non-profit organizations provide free services to help seniors save their dollars.
However, senior discounts are not just about saving money. Instead, they respect and recognize the contribution of older adults to our society. The good news is this senior discount list is generous, including everything from healthcare and fitness to movie tickets, meals, and transit services.
So, whether you're a senior or know someone who is over 60s, check out our list of 12 amazing discounts that allow seniors to get things for free. Here we go!
1. Free Entry to National Parks
Do you love spending time in the great outdoors? Get this discounted senior pass for a lifetime with unhindered access to the US national parks, monuments, and federal recreational sites. For US citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older, the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series offers an annual and lifetime Senior Pass option. The Senior Annual Pass is valid for one year and costs $20. The Senior Lifetime Pass is valid for your lifetime and costs $80. The pass may also include discounts on some amenity fees charged for park facilities and services.
Additionally, many state and local parks may offer free or discounted admission for seniors. This means you can enjoy all the natural beauty the nation has to offer without spending much money.
Where to get this senior pass? You can buy the pass online through the US Geological Survey (USGS) website or in person at participating locations.
2. Free Educational Courses
Learning shouldn't stop with retirement. For seniors who want to continue their education, many colleges, universities, and senior centers offer free or reduced-cost tuition and classes. You can learn about art, history, computers, or anything you're interested in. Some states, like Texas and California, allow older adults to audit college courses for free. Similarly, universities like the University of the Third Age offer free or discounted courses for seniors. It is a great and fun way to learn new skills and make new friends without the pressure of grades.
Where can you find one? The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has compiled a great list of educational institutions in each US state that provide free or reduced-cost options for older adults.
3. Free Public Transport
For seniors who may no longer drive either due to vision loss or any physical disabilities, getting around is a big challenge. Public transportation is undoubtedly an essential part of our daily routines, especially for seniors.
Whether it is about medical appointments, attending social events, or running daily tasks, public transport has a key role in senior mobility. Thankfully, many states and cities offer free or discounted transit passes for those 65 or older. These passes cover buses, trains, and subways.
For example, Pennsylvania offers free rides to senior citizens through the Senior Free Ride Program. All you need is an ID card or a Medicare card. In Mississippi, older adults can use public transport free through the Coast Transit Authority. Similarly, Los Angeles offers senior-specific transit services such as shared rides, public transport with discounted fares, and reduced-cost taxi services.
Additionally, many travel companies offer special discounts for seniors. For example, Amtrak offers a 10% discount on most rail fares for passengers 65 or older. United Airlines offers discounted senior fares for select travel destinations for seniors.
No matter the state or city, there are discounts for seniors everywhere. Do your research and save some dollars!
4. Free Eye Exams and Glasses
As we age, our vision may diminish, and we are more at risk of other eye-related conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. Regular eye checkups become necessary to help catch these issues early. But we all know eye care can be expensive, especially for seniors.
Many organizations recognize this need and run several programs to help seniors get free eye exams and even glasses in some cases.
An examples is the EyeCare America program, sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This program provides senior citizens free or low-cost medical eye exams through a network of over 4,600 volunteer ophthalmologists nationwide. To be eligible for this program, you must not have seen an ophthalmologist in the last three years or have eye care insurance through a Veteran's Association or HMO.
Seniors with limited income can also check with Lions Clubs International and VSP Eyes of Hope.
5. Free Tax Preparation Services
Doing your taxes alone can be confusing and stressful, especially when dealing with retirement income, pensions, and other financial situations. Fortunately, seniors can get free tax preparation services. The IRS programs, including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), offer help to senior taxpayers, particularly those who are aged 60 or older. Experts will help you fill out your tax filing forms without charging any money.
Similarly, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers a free tax assistance service for seniors aged 60 or older. These tax assistance programs are a big relief because they remove the stress of doing taxes yourself, save money, and reduce the risk of errors, which can result in audits and penalties.
Many local community centers and libraries host free tax prep sessions during tax season. You can also find local VITA or TCE sites on the IRS website.
6. Free Legal Assistance
As you age, dealing with legal matters can be daunting, and you might need help. Luckily, there are places where seniors can get free legal advice related to making wills, housing issues, or other legal concerns.
For example, AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly and Legal Services Corporation offers older adults free or low-cost legal services. These organizations hire experienced attorneys to help solve your legal issues.
Additionally, many law schools offer pro bono legal clinics where students, under the supervision of experienced attorneys, provide legal assistance to local seniors. In this digital era, some organizations also provide free online consultations.
7. Free Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) is available for seniors aged 65 and older if they or their spouse have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) while working. Part A covers numerous hospital services, such as
- Inpatient care
- Skilled Nursing Facility Center
- Hospital care
- Home health care
If you don't qualify through work history, you can still purchase Medicare Part A by paying a monthly premium. However, the premium can vary depending on how long you or your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes. This service can reduce your medical bills if you ever need to stay in a hospital.
If you're unsure if Part A will include certain expenses, such as medical tests, medicines, or other services, you can find them through the coverage search bar tool.
8. Free Dental Care
Dental care costs can add up quickly, especially for seniors. As you know, Medicare dental insurance only covers emergency medical needs such as removing a decayed tooth. It doesn't cover routine dental care like cleaning, dentures, and fillings. Fortunately, some places offer free or reduced-cost dental services. For example, Dentistry From the Heart and the Dental Lifeline Network are non-profit organizations that offer free and detailed dental care to seniors who can't afford routine checkups.
Additionally, many dental schools provide free or discounted dental cleaning to seniors as part of their student training programs. You can check the American Dental Association website to see if there is an approved program in your area. These programs help seniors keep their teeth healthy without worrying about the cost.
9. Free Hearing Aids
We also suffer from hearing loss as we age, but many of us let this issue go untreated due to higher costs. According to a survey by Johns Hopkins Medicine, only one in seven Americans 50 years or older who have a hearing loss use a hearing aid. The main reason behind its low use is higher prices.
Thankfully, there are many resources that can help you get hearing aids, including local hearing aid banks and nonprofit organizations like Easter Seals, the Starkey Hearing Foundation, and the National Hearing Aid Project. These national and state programs work to provide hearing aids to seniors in need.
Similarly, the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) frequently hosts free hearing test events.
10. Free Groceries and Meals
Food insecurity among senior Americans is more common than many people might think. According to the Feeding America 2023 report, one in 14 seniors faces food insecurity. To help fight this food insecurity, many community programs offer free groceries and meals.
For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food to eligible seniors, while Meals on Wheels delivers free or low-cost meals directly to seniors at home. Additionally, local food banks and churches often provide free grocery delivery services for older adults.
Many restaurant chains also offer seniors discounts and free membership rewards programs. For example, Golden Corral and Applebees offer seniors 10-15% discount. AARP members can also take advantage of exclusive deals at McDonald's, Outback Steakhouse, and IHOP.
For grocery savings, stores like Albertsons and Kroger have certain senior discount days. These discounts can build up significant savings over time.
11. Free Prescription Medications
As we age, we often need to take several prescription medications daily to manage our health, but their costs can quickly add up. Most Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D help cover some prescription drug costs for seniors. However, if you don't qualify for Medicare or want to save more on medications, there are several programs that help seniors access medications for free or at a large discount.
Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (PAPs), sponsored by drug manufacturers, provide free medications to seniors who meet income requirements. For example, GoodRX, NeedyMeds, and RxAssist offer discounts on prescription drugs for seniors. Many pharmacy chains, like Walgreens and CVS, not only give seniors discounts on prescriptions and health products but also provide free delivery services. Sign up for loyalty programs to save more dollars.
12. Free Museum Days
Museums provide an insight into humankind's history and help people learn about past events, wonders, and culture. Luckily, seniors can enjoy free or discounted entrance to many museums on certain days. Institutions like the Boise Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Museum offer free admission to seniors, while the Metropolitan Museum of Art offers discounted entrance to seniors. Similarly, the Nevada Museum of Art offers free admission for seniors every Wednesday in May.
Some libraries also offer passes for free or discounted admission to local museums. You can check when the museums offer free or discounted days on their website or sign up for the museum newsletter to stay updated on upcoming senior discounts.
Final Takeaways
We work hard throughout our lives, and it's only fitting that we receive the support we deserve during our golden years. As we get older, we should take advantage of these free or discounted opportunities. Whether you need help with tax preparation, transportation, healthcare, or dining out, there are plenty of freebies and discounts available–you just have to know where to look. Always ask about senior discounts whenever you shop or travel, and you may be surprised at how much you can save! You deserve it!
FAQs
What Discounts Can I Get When I Turn 55?
When you turn 55, you become eligible for certain senior discounts, including restaurants like Denny's, retail stores like Kohl's, and hotel chains such as Marriott and Best Western. You can also join AARP for additional benefits, including discounts on travel, dining, and insurance.
What Discounts Can You Get at 65?
At 65, you can access Medicare for health coverage, discounted fares on public transportation like Amtrak, and reduced entry fees to national parks with a senior pass. Many restaurants, retailers, and service providers also offer increased discounts for seniors aged 65 and older.
Does Netflix have a Senior Discount?
No, Netflix doesn't offer a specific senior discount.
Is Amazon Prime free for seniors?
Amazon Prime is not free for seniors, but those with an EBT or Medicaid Card can get Prime at a discounted rate of $6.99/month, while the standard price is $14.99/month.
