when did you start using your senior discounts and benefits?

I am approaching the age of 55 and I know that it is a cut-off in many places, where senior discounts kick in. At least in our city, if you want to use city services, sign up for recreational classes, etc., the cut-off is at 55. I know in other places the cut-off is higher, 60 or 65. I kind of feel that I am not old, but at the same time, if I do qualify, why not save some money. I can see myself doing that if I sign up digitally, but if it's in person, I think I would be embarrassed to claim a senior discount.

When did you start and how did you feel about it?

Most discounts here start at 60-62-65. I am 59 so I am yet to use any. I do belong to AARP, that starts at 50.

I don’t feel one way or the other honestly. If I can save something I will. I don’t feel like a senior citizen lol but what are you going to do…

Mixed bag for me, Tart! I started after age 55 but didn’t look it, it seemed. I had to show ID and it was flattering. The past few years though, I don’t get asked which means I’m looking old enough. I used it at Goodwill recently and they didn’t ask for ID. That depresses me even though I get some savings. Considering how badly older people are treated in the US, I try to get what I can. The friendship line I tried calling during COVID said I had to be 62. Not discount related I know, but I wanted to say I think these age requirements are arbitrary.

Most things require age 65 as the minimum, so I mistakenly assumed I had to be 65 for the bus too. But it’s 62 so I missed out on a couple of years of discounted rides. I had to apply online and submit a picture and copy of my ID. The bus driver lowers the ramp for me when they see me. Some places want age 60. I’ll be 64 in a few months.

A couple of years ago the food stamp people sent me a letter saying since I am ELDERLY, I don’t have to send in a form they usually want. THAT makes me feel much older, plus being called ma’am by everyone under age 40 it seems.

Aging is something I struggle with and I’m terrified of the cuts coming to things like food stamps and Medicaid.

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I started early when I was 50 using the AARP card to get room discounts. Now I’m 66 and everywhere I’m old enough for the discounts but hotels have increased the ages as have most place. I just read an article that many places are no longer going to advertise discounts and other places are discontinuing their discounts, because of tariffs. So I’d use it where you can, while you can. My local grocery has a 10% off on Tuesdays. They used to automatically use it, now you must ask for it. I think they changed the age to 65 too. I rarely remember to shop on Tuesday.

I never have, and my local grocery store did a discount as soon as I hit 55 automatically. But I never remember to shop on the first Wednesday.

I didn’t know tariffs affect discounts as well as prices, even though a discount obviously affects the price. Most places won’t advertise discounts, senior or otherwise, even before tariffs. A lot of places used to advertise AAA discounts but not now. Maybe it’s no longer being offered.

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I received our city's guide to activities and their senior discounter rate starts at 55. But the swimming pool in another city, where I go because it is much warmer than our city's pools and I like warm water, starts at 60. So I see for myself that the threshold age is set arbitrarily. As for buses and other public transit, I have a disabled card from the time in 2017 when I was on SSDI for bipolar. I came off of SSDI after a couple of years after Zyprexa made me fully functional, but the disabled card doesn't require certification. So I already enjoy discounted public transit, which I appreciate.