Senior Benefits & Discounts
Senior benefits and discounts can help you make the most of your retirement dollars. Knowing what’s available to you can help you plan your retirement finances more effectively and efficiently. And it can ease some of the stress of transitioning to retirement.
- Written by Terry Turner
Terry Turner
Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator
Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).
Read More- Edited By
Savannah Pittle
Savannah Pittle
Senior Financial Editor
Savannah Pittle is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.
Read More- Reviewed By
Eric Estevez
Eric Estevez
Owner of HLC Insurance Broker, LLC
Eric Estevez is a duly licensed independent insurance broker and a former financial institution auditor with more than a decade of professional experience. He has specialized in federal, state and local compliance for both large and small businesses.
Read More- Published: May 1, 2020
- Updated: December 12, 2024
- 10 min read time
- This page features 3 Cited Research Articles
Key Takeaways- Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money — 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs.
- You can take advantage of many senior discounts when you are as young as 50.
- Many senior discounts require that you have a membership or show proof of age.
- You should not be afraid to ask a business if it offers discounts and whether you qualify for one.
There’s a long list of discounts to save you money in retirement.
State and federal agencies have programs that may help you meet your expenses that Social Security and Medicare may not.
Businesses and organizations also provide discounts that make shopping, dining and travel more affordable.
Stores With Senior Discounts
Dozens of retail stores offer senior discounts — some for people as young as 50. It’s a good idea to ask a store manager or cashier if the place where you shop offers a discount.
The list is too long to name all of the retail stores that offer senior discounts, but here are some examples from popular stores.
Clothing Store Senior DiscountsRETAIL STORE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Banana Republic 10% 50 and up Any day at participating locations Belk 15% 55 and up First Tuesday of the month Kohl's 15% 60 and up Wednesdays only Ross Stores 10% 55 and up Tuesdays only TJ Maxx 10% 55 and up Tuesdays only at participating locations Grocery Shopping Discounts for Seniors
It appears that grocery stores are phasing out senior discounts in favor of overall savings, according to some groups that follow these trends.
Not every store in the chain may participate in senior discounts. But you should ask your local store if they do and you can still find discounts at many checkout counters.
Examples of Senior Discounts at Grocery StoresGROCERY STORE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Kroger 10% 55 and up Tuesdays only, Kroger Plus Card required, not available at all locations Harris Teeter 5% 60 and up Wednesdays only Piggly Wiggly 5% 55 and up Wednesdays only at participating stores Albertsons 10% 55 and up First Wednesday of the month at participating locations Is Your Lifestyle Future-Proofed?Secure the lifestyle you've always imagined post-retirement. Discover annuity options that can make it a reality.
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If you enjoy dining out, there are plenty of options, from fast food and casual dining to even more pricey restaurants, that offer discounts to seniors. Having an AARP membership will add even more restaurants to your discount list.
Restaurant Senior DiscountsRESTAURANT DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Applebee’s 10% to 15% 60 and up Any day at participating locations Arby’s 10% and/or free drink with purchase 60 and up Any day Ben & Jerry’s 10% 60 and up Any day at participating locations Bonefish Grill 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card Boston Market Varies by location Varies by location Any day at participating locations Burger King 10% 60 and up Any day at participating locations Bubba Gump Shrimp Company 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card Carrabba’s Italian Grill 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card Chick-fil-A 10% 55 and up Any day at participating locations Cici’s Pizza Select menu items, varies by location Varies by location Varies by location Denny’s 15%, special senior menu includes discounted item 50 and up Any day with AARP card El Pollo Loco 10% 60 and up Varies by location Fazoli’s Select items 62 and up Must be a member of Fazoli’s Club 62 Hardee’s Up to 10% on any order, special discounts on beverages 55 and up Any day at participating locations IHOP 10%, special senior menu includes discounted items 55 and up Must have photo ID Joe’s Crab Shack 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card KFC Free small drink, some locations may offer up to 10% off food purchases 55 and up Any day at participating locations McCormic & Schmick’s 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card McDonald’s Varies by location 55 and up Varies by location Outback Steakhouse 10% 50 and up Any day with AARP card Perkins Restaurant Senior menu includes discounts 55 and up Any day at participating locations Ponderosa Steakhouse 10% 62 and up At participating locations, requires proof of age Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen 10% or free small drink 55 and up Any day at participating locations Taco Bell 5% and free drink 65 and up Any day at participating locations Wendy’s 10% or discounted drink 55 and up Any day at participating locations Whataburger Free drink with meal purchase 55 and up Any day at participating locations White Castle 10% 62 and up Any day at participating locations Be sure to ask about senior discounts at these and other restaurants before ordering.
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*Ad: Clicking will take you to our partner Annuity.org.Travel Discounts For Seniors
Many retirees spend their extra free time traveling. Knowing what travel discounts are available can help extend those travels while putting less stress on your bank account.
Some discounts require AARP membership, but others may just require proof of age.
Senior discounts have become increasingly rare among airlines. These are some that are still available as of the time of writing.
Airline Senior DiscountsAIRLINE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY American Airlines Varying discounts, specific routes only 65 and up Call American Airlines at 1-800-433-7300 to check availability British Airways $65 - $200 off depending on seat class 50 and up Must have AARP membership Delta Airlines Discounts available on specific routes only 65 and up Call Delta at 1-800-241-6522 to check availability United Airlines Varying discounts, select routes only 65 and up Select senior category when making reservation Landing a senior discount on a flight can be tricky to do online. It’s best to call the airline and ask if they have any discounts available.
Likewise, it’s best to call a hotel about senior discounts before booking a room. Those that offer discounts may not have them available at all hotels in the chain. Here’s a sample of some that offer senior discounts.
Hotel Senior DiscountsHOTEL DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Marriott Hotels 15% 62 and up Must select senior discount at time of reservation, proof of age required at check in Days Inn Varies by location 60 and up At participating locations Choice Hotels 10% - 30% off 60 and up Must have AARP card and book onlineCall Delta at 1-800-241-6522 to check availability Best Western 15% 55 and up At participating locations Public transit systems typically offer senior discounts to get around major cities. If you want to get across the country instead of across town, Amtrak and major bus lines also offer discounts.
Bus & Train Fare Senior DiscountsBUS OR TRAIN LINE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Amtrak 10% on most fares 65 and up Check before buying ticket Greyhound Bus Lines 5% 62 and up Check before buying ticket Trailways Transportation Varies 50 and up Check before buying ticket Rental car companies sometimes offer discounts, but it’s wise to check with them before reserving a car. Some may also partner with AARP to provide discounts to members.
Rental Car Senior DiscountsRENTAL CAR COMPANY DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Hertz Up to 20% 50 and up Check before renting Avis Up to 30% 50 and up Check before renting Budget Up to 30% 50 and up Available to AARP members at participating locations, check before renting Did You Know?Once you turn 62, you can buy an $80 Lifetime Pass to U.S. National Parks and recreation areas. The cost covers lifetime daily use fees and admission costs at over 2,000 federal recreation sites.Source: National Park Service3 Minute Quiz: Can You Retire Comfortably?Take our free quiz & match with a financial advisor in 3 easy steps. Tailored to your goals. Near you or online.Discounts For Senior Activities
You can save money while spending time doing the activities you love — movies, hobbies and games all offer senior discounts.
Movie Theater Senior DiscountsTHEATER OR SERVICE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Amazon Prime $5.99/month subscription Must have a valid EBT card or be on Medicaid Must show proof of EBT or Medicaid AMC Theaters Varies by location 60 and up At participating locations Carmike Cinemas Up to 35% ticket prices Varies by location At participating locations Cinemark Theaters “Early Bird” and “Senior’s Day” showings, discount amounts vary 60 and up Check with your local Cinemark Theater for days and times that apply Regal Cinemas - Up to 20% off tickets with an AARP card
- Other discounts without an AARP card
- $3 off popcorn/soda combo with both AARP and Regal Crown Club cardsVaries by location Must have AARP card and/or Regal Crown Club card for some discounts Hobbies can be expensive, but you can get a break on hobby costs if you ask around.
Hobby Senior DiscountsCOMPANY DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Audible $2 off each month of a monthly membership or $30 off annual membership 50 and up Must have AARP card Ancestry.com 30% off first year’s All Access or World Explorer membership 50 and up Must have AARP card Ticketmaster Varying discounts 50 and up Must have AARP card Health Discounts For Seniors
Drug stores, eyeglass retailers and other health services frequently offer senior discounts that can save you money whether you are on Medicare or still using your employer’s insurance.
The age to qualify for these discounts varies, but it’s wise to ask.
Most large, national pharmacy chains offer prescription discount programs you sign up for at any age.
Pharmacy Prescription DiscountsPHARMACY OR OTHER COMPANY DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Costco Up to 80% Must be a Costco member and sign up for the Costco Member Prescription Program Membership card required CVS Various discounts, coupons and other savings Must be enrolled in CVS ExtraCare program Membership required GoodRx Up to 80% Free in most cases, $10 in some cases Membership required Optum Perks Up to 80%, plus coupons accepted by several leading pharmacy chains Must apply for free pharmacy discount card Membership required RxSaver Coupons accepted by leading pharmacies Download app to your smartphone Membership required Target Accepts all CVS discounts, coupons and other savings Must be enrolled in CVS ExtraCare program Membership required Walgreens Up to 80% Must be enrolled in the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club Membership required Walmart Accepts third-party prescription cards, $4 for 30-day supplies of wide range of generic drugs N/A N/A WellRx Up to 80% Must sign up for Script Save Card Membership required Senior discounts on fitness programs and memberships can help you keep in shape while keeping your wallet lined.
Fitness Senior DiscountsFITNESS CENTER OR SERVICE DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY CrossFit Varies by location Varies by location Varies by location SilverSneakers Varies by location 65 and up Must be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan YMCA Priority registration and up to 50% off select programs and classes Varies by location Varies by location Local fitness centers may also offer senior discounts. Be sure to check with your local gym or fitness center about any discounts available.
Have you selected your 2024 Medicare plan?Maximize your Medicare savings by connecting with a licensed insurance agent. Annual Enrollment is open until December 7th.Benefits and Discounts for Senior Veterans
Especially since 9/11, dozens of companies have offered discounts to active duty military, and many of those also offer discounts to veterans long after they have served. You will need to show valid military ID in most cases.
You can find discounts on things such as restaurant meals, travel and auto parts. If you served, it’s smart to ask if a business offers a veteran’s discount before ordering or ringing up a purchase.
Senior Veteran DiscountsCOMPANY DISCOUNT ELIGIBILITY (AGE/MEMBERSHIP) AVAILABILITY Amtrak 10% off lowest available fare on most trains Veterans and family members Certain restrictions apply Home Depot 10% Veterans, active duty military and their spouses Must apply online Jiffy Lube 15% Veterans and active duty military At participating locations LasikPlus 20% Veterans and active duty military All locations in the country Verizon Wireless Up to $25 per month, 25% on select accessories All military service personnel, veterans and their families Must register with discount program Never Miss Important News or Updates with Our Weekly NewsletterGet money-saving tips, hard-to-find info and tactics for a successful retirement in our free weekly newsletter.AdvertisementConnect With a Financial Advisor Instantly
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Terry Turner Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator- Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®) member
- Holds six Health Literacy certificates from the CDC
- Emmy® Award winner
Edited By
Savannah Pittle Senior Financial EditorFinancially Reviewed By
Eric Estevez Owner of HLC Insurance Broker, LLC3 Cited Research Articles
- United.com. (2021). Tips and Discounts for Senior Travelers. Retrieved from https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs/seniors.html
- Hotelplanner.com. (2022). AARP® & Senior Hotel Discounts (brand analysis) - Save 20%. Retrieved from https://www.hotelplanner.com/Senior-Rates/AARP-Discounts
- Bond-Nelms, C. (2017, August 23). 56 Amazing Senior Discounts at Top Restaurants - AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/food/entertaining/info-2017/senior-discounts-restaurants-fd.html
- Edited By
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