With the average American life expectancy increasing, it’s important to find ways to save money and live comfortably on your retirement income. A senior discounts list is a great tool during the aging process to have.
From agencies funded by the federal government, to nonprofit organizations and charities, seniors and their caregivers can get access to many no-cost and discounted services.
Start By Contacting Your Area Agency on Aging
Eldercare’s Area Agencies on Aging is a network of over 600 federally-funded organizations across the nation that provide information and resources for those age 60 and over. Their contracts with local service providers help to deliver meal services, transportation and in-home services.
Though individual agencies may offer different services, the basics offered include:
- Nutrition counseling, with home delivered and congregate meals
- Caregiver support including respite care and caregiver training
- Information about various local assistance programs and referrals
- Long Term Care Ombudsman plus information about facilities and investigation of complaints
- Insurance Counseling to help seniors understand and optimize Medicare benefits
- Transportation assistance information and coordinating shared, non-medical transportation services
Use the locator tool at https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx or call 800-677-1116.
Consider Joining AARP®
For those age 50 and over, AARP membership is affordable and provides a wide range of savings and discounts. Membership is a little over one dollar per month and you can get a no-cost second membership for your household.
For prescription discounts, AARP’s OptumRx® is a program for FDA-approved generic, brand name, or specialty medications not covered by your insurance or Medicare Part D plan. On top of this, it’s accepted at thousands of participating pharmacies as well as the OptumRx mail order service.
Other AARP discounts include:
- Grocery Savings Service – no coupon cutting required
- Travel discounts for everything from airlines, car rentals, trains, hotels/motels, cruises, and more
- Discounts at restaurants, movie theaters and deals on select concerts or sports events in your area
- AARP partnerships can provide savings on Hearing Aids, Eyeglasses, Internet, and more
To join AARP go to: https://www.aarp.org/members/join-aarp-membership/
Get no-cost Tax Preparation Services
Take advantage of no-cost tax preparation and advice from IRS-certified volunteer organizations:
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) are two federal grant programs providing tax preparation assistance to those age 60 and older. Go to https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ to find a provider in your area.
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers no-cost tax preparation assistance for low and moderate income taxpayers. You don’t have to be an AARP member and there’s no age requirement. Call 888-227-7669 for a location near you.
Find Out If You Qualify For Discounted Phone or Internet Services
LifeLine is a federal program for qualifying seniors that provides discounted internet services and cell phone or landline services. To find out if you qualify, and to find participating companies in your state, go to LifelineSupport.org.
Never Be Embarrassed To Ask About Senior Discounts
Retail stores, restaurants, hair salons, museums, movie theaters, many local businesses, and national chains offer considerable discounts for seniors. The minimum age to qualify can vary but most start as young as age 50.
Discount rates vary and may be restricted to certain days of the week or month, but the combined savings can be quite substantial. Keep in mind – many senior discounts aren’t publicly advertised, so it’s important to call ahead and ask for details.
You may have to present your driver’s license, AARP card, or other identification, and some may require you to register for their own senior discount program. When you’re retired, every penny counts so make sure to compare local competitors’ senior discounts to get the best possible deal.
