Some of my friends, who have hit threshold ages (55, 60, 62 or 65, depending on the venue) at which they can receive items /services at reduced rates, refuse to accept the discounts. I think they are crazy to reject the benefits of being an older American.
It’s not just the monetary savings. It’s that I’ve gone this far and I deserve to accept the perks when they’re offered. Life can be hard, and one should take advantage of whatever makes it easier.
When I took Amtrak to Washington, DC for a conference, I was eligible for a 10 percent discount on train tickets. On the return trip to New York City, however, something even more important took place.
I had been waiting at the K gate but had to go all the way to the A gate to use the men’s room. By the time I returned, the train had been called, and the line was at the E line when I got in.
Then one of the personnel asked for people with children and senior citizens to preboard. At first, it didn’t register. But about ten seconds later, I thought, “WAiT a minute. That’s me! I can join them!” The young woman standing behind me, noting my vacillation, said, “Go for it!”
Still, I wonder if these senior perks are sustainable. Here’s a fun Census statistic: “The year 2030 marks an important demographic turning point in U.S. history according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projections.
“The aging of baby boomers means that within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history… By 2035, there will be 78.0 million people 65 years and older compared to 76.7 million under the age of 18.”
I was thinking about retiring one of these days. “As the population ages, the ratio of older adults to working-age adults, also known as the old-age dependency ratio, is projected to rise. By 2020, there will be just over three-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person. By 2060, that ratio will fall to just under two-and-a-half working-age adults for every retirement-age person.
“The median age of the U.S. population is expected to grow from age 38 today to age 43 by 2060.” Yet another reason to encourage immigration. Most immigrants skew young, adding to the vitality of the nation.
From ABC Wednesday
Hmmm advantage of being older? I can name some … although I’ve never spent a single thought on mixing that with the country I’m born and raised in
Have a splendid, ♥-warming ABC-Wednes-day / -week
♫ M e l d y ♪ (ABC-W-team)
http://melodyk.nl/23-O
Wonderful post ~ I had the same reaction when I first got my medicare card ~ me????
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Here is BC if we choose to travel on the ferries it is free from Monday through Thursday. Living in a ferry dependent location that is huge. It doesn’t cover the cost of the car, but if you walk on and have another means of transportation on the other end it is a huge savings. – Margy
The Husband’s dad thought the same way, disregarding senior discounts. I could hardly wait to use them when I was 20 and first heard about them.
You are as young as you think!
The fact that you do not consider the perks makes me think that you are young, Roger 🙂 Cheers!
Let’s be young at heart forever!
My motto- Enjoy life- perks or no perks!