One of the perks of getting older is that some stuff gets cheaper. For the US, here’s a list of Senior Discounts for Restaurants. Last year’s Best List Of Senior Discounts For 2014, I assume, is still largely still valid.
And one doesn’t have to wait to be a sexagenarian to cash in. 50 Is the New 65 for Earning ‘Senior’ Discounts. I happen to think that’s crazy. Census figures note that the average age of Americans moved from 37.2 in 2010 to 37.6 in 2013. If anything, businesses might consider RAISING the threshold for the discounts. I’m going to still USE these age-driven perks, mind you.
At the same time, the baby boomers are rejecting any suggestion that they are getting older. Sixty is the new forty, and so forth.
Now demographers have new strata for the old:
The “Young Old” 65-74
“The first wave of aging Baby Boomers reached full retirement age in 2011. For the next 20 years, 74 million Boomers will retire.”
The “Old” 74-84
The “Oldest-Old” 85+
“The fastest-growing segment of the total population is the oldest old—those 80 and over. Their growth rate is twice that of those 65 and over and almost 4-times that for the total population. In the United States, this group now represents 10% of the older population and will more than triple from 5.7 million in 2010 to over 19 million by 2050.”
I’m curious whether older people in other countries receive such perks.
We have to get the positive stuff where we can! 🙂
Proud, flag-waving “Oldest-Old” here, checking in.
Very happy that is the case.
My ABC WEDNESDAY
Age means something different at every stage of our lives. I would love to have the body and stamina I had in my 20’s, but love the wisdom and confidence I’ve gained in my 50’s. Blessings!
So if I never retire, I can put off that “old” business more or less indefinitely?
Travelling is also cheaper. Even in Norway busdrivers told us that we could travel cheap as pensioners. In the UK it stands to reason that an OAP gets a cheaper ticket .
Here I often take a cab for travelling to friends and relatives somewhere in the country, if the trains or buses are not available. I used to cycle to neighbouring villages, but now I don’t like to do this, because of the always prevailing wind.
Well have a nice week, Roger.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Senior citizens do have some benefits in india too – like concessions in travel tickets. When I get there I guess I’ll know more about them. I love the classification young old, old and oldest old 🙂
Older New Zealanders can get a government-sponsored “Gold Card”, which entitles them to discounts on some things (like bus and ferry rides). They also get cheaper doctor visits. Beyond that, I haven’t seen many businesses offering discounts—apart from the NZ locations of the US-born Denny’s restaurants.
Pleased to see I’m not yet ANY kind of “old”!
Discounts for above some age…. are here to…. i’m on the way to it, but not quit there yet -)
There are lots of concessions for oldies in the UK including Bus Passes, rail concession, £200:00 fuel payment per household,
certain dining outlets give a discount too.
We also get a state pension if we have made national insurance contributions, through our working days.
So, all in all senior citizens in the UK are treated quite well!
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Of course we do ! Nearly free transport, movie and theater tickets etc. Wait until you will reach this age and have to live from your pension ! Some people get just enough not to starve !
Something to look forward to then. I would certainly make use of a bus pass.
Even Canada has some nice perks for the “old.” You get the “Old Age Pension” starting at 65. Hate the name, love the bucks. But BC Ferries just clawed back half of our senior discount. Used to be free passenger travel from Monday through Thursday. Now it’s only 50% discount on those days. Guess we have to still pay our “fair” share. – Margy
Yes lots of perks for us baby boomers in the UK (and the rest of Europe) as Dianne says. Those reduced travel cost mean we can spend money in the local economy as we barrel around the country so I suppose everyone wins.
Wonderful choice for O. Very interesting statistics as well.
Perks aside, growing old is not for the infirm!
Senior discounts that make the list are, of course, chains. Lots of local places have discounts, too; you simply have to call around or look for signs – or ask staff. And don’t forget to have your ID handy, because they will never believe you are THAT old, ha ha ha. Amy
My bf is 10 years older than I and just the other day he was surprised that I finally made it to being offered a senior discount, I guess it was my strains of gray peeking through my brown hair. lol
Delicious “O” for Older! Live healthy and serenity is my great desire when you arrive!
I was in a zumba class this morning, shimmying and twerking with ladies 20 to 40 years younger than me. It was after I left that I realized I was the oldest one there. lol
here the 65s get a gold card, and free public transport.
Thanks for all the links! No matter how old my body feels, my mind tries to make me think I’m still in my 20’s or 30’s.
I’m a life experienced one of those and I take advantage of every discount I can. My 96 year old grandma used to say she always felt 16 in her brain!!
Ann
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