The Best Senior Discounts Nobody Talks About

Old age might bring about many challenges, but it also has its own perks. Besides getting wiser and having more time to focus on the things you enjoy, you get to access many services for free or at a reduced price.

What’s even better, you can enjoy steep discounts for certain products or entertainment activities. Although most offers are limited to a certain age group or income level, some offers can be accessed by anyone – even those who are yet to reach their golden years.

In this article, we’ve highlighted some things seniors can access for almost no cost.

Tax Help

Filling for taxes is not an enjoyable experience, especially for those individuals who take a DIY approach. Thankfully, seniors can avoid headaches and worries associated with tax time by turning to the federal government’s free Tax Counselling for the Elderly (TCE) program.

This program offers taxpayers at the age of 60 and above customized help on questions regarding retirement-related issues, including pensions and more.

Tax Breaks

All retirees qualify for federal income tax breaks, including tax credit and tax deductions. But most seniors tend to overlook this chance to reduce their tax bills.

For instance, individuals who fail to enumerate their tax deductions generally qualify for a higher standard tax deduction compared to younger taxpayers. As such, this translates to a free reduction in the federal tax bill of eligible retirees. Also, there are many states in the US that provide older individuals with tax breaks.

Checking Accounts

It’s wise to make the life of retirees easier, and banks understand this. That’s why some of them are offering seniors checking accounts that come with special perks like free checks and no maintenance fees.

Here are several examples of accounts that are available at both online and traditional banks as well as credit unions.

BB&T’s Senior Checking
TD Bank’s TD 60 Plus Checking
Fitness Bank’s Senior Saving Account

The services include:

Flu shots
Annual wellness visits
Screening for colonoscopy
Certain vaccines

Medical Services

Medicare plans tend to vary depending on the type of coverage and cost. However, there are specific medical services and expenses all Medicare plans cover in full. This means if a senior is on Medicare, he or she won’t pay any additional cost for those services.

Restaurants

Getting free food and drinks is a bit hard. But thanks to some restaurant chains, seniors can receive freebies on a by-location basis. However, other restaurants are often silent about their price breaks.

The best way to land senior discounts and hidden freebies in restaurants is by just asking when you order. You can also join a senior membership organization like ARRP, where members are entitled to a variety of discounts at a restaurant and in other places. Restauratns like Carrabba’s, Denny’s, Joe’s Crab Shack and the Outback Steakhouse and just a few of the many restauratns that offer AARP members discounts of 15% or more.

Even though you have to pay to join the organization, it’s totally worth it. The money you will save by taking advantage of the restaurant discounts can easily exceed the money you pay the membership fee.

Prescriptions

One of the common downsides of getting old is becoming susceptible to illness. This means that most seniors require several prescription medications daily to keep diseases at bay. These drugs can be expensive, so every bit of savings comes in handy.

Most Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare Part D coverage can help offset the cost of some prescription drugs for seniors. But if you’re not eligible for Medicare or you’re looking for a way to further offset the cost of your medications, try to find prescription assistance programs that you’re eligible for.

These websites and organizations can help you with your search.

Store Discounts

Besides restaurants, you can secure senior discounts at different shops and retailers. Therefore, you can significantly boost your saving by just showing that you’re over the age of 50 years in the right retail or shop.

In some states, you’ll even find grocery store chains that offer anyone above the age of 55 discounts as high as 10%.

Vacation Discounts

Seniors can also secure travel discounts. Old individuals are eligible for price breaks on everything associated with traveling. From cruise ships to rental cars to even hotel rooms.

Gym Membership

If you’re the age of 65 and above, you can easily secure a free or discounted membership via your health insurer. Some of the insurance plans even go to the extend of providing savings on fitness club memberships as preventive care.

Also, some Medicare plans include a SilverSneakers Membership. It provides eligible retirees access to over 17,000 fitness centers and gym locations all over the country.

You can always call your insurance provider to see if they offer SilverSneakers. If they don’t, just visit the SilverSneakers website and fill in the eligibility form.

Internet Service

If you’re a daily internet user, there are several ways you can secure internet service for free. You can use Juno or NetZero, which offers 10 hours of free dial-up service monthly.

Seniors can check out Consumer Action’s list to find a provider who offers affordable internet options for low-income households.

Education

Education is a continuous process and has no age limit. If you still desire to go back to school, then you’re in luck. Most colleges and universities often offer seniors heavily discounted classes.

Some of these institutions include:

University of Alaska
University of Arkansas
Clemson University
University of Connecticut
Georgia tech
University of Illinois

In theory, most seniors can easily pursue a degree for free. Other universities allow seniors to audit classes for free. As a result, they get all the education but do not receive credits towards a degree.

Public Transportation

Another downside of being old is the difficulty of getting around. Not only does your eyesight get affected but also your joints, so moving around through walking or driving won’t be easy. Also, taxis and ride-sharing services will cost you so much money, especially for someone on a fixed income.

Thankfully, there are many communities, including the Illinois State Department of Aging and Florida’s Miami-Dade County, which offer free transportation services for seniors.

You can always check if your state, city, or county offers such services so you can take advantage of them.