The moment you’ve been waiting for so long is finally here. And things are starting to fall into place. Growing old has its advantages, and when time passes, you will get a little wiser. You will have more free time to do whatever you want to do, and even better, retirement comes with a lot of discounts.
You will pay less for services and entertainment. Some of these things are available based on your age or your income. You deserve it, so go ahead and treat yourself, because your time has come!
Make sure you read this article to find out 10 things you can get for free (or almost) as a senior citizen.
1. Medicare assistance
Let’s face it, Medicare can be overwhelming and complicated. This is the time when SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) comes to help you. because it provides health insurance benefit counseling for Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
In addition to this, you have to check out dentures because if you are 60 or older, you can qualify to receive free dentures.
Mammograms are free for women over the age of 40 who have Medicare Part B. Make sure this is available in your area as well!
TIP: Medicare Part D coverage and most Medicare Advantage plans cover some prescription drug costs for seniors!
2. AARP Membership
Having an AARP membership is actually a very good idea. Simply because you will have a plethora of options, such as health insurance, hotel accommodations, and rental cars. with discounts starting at around 10%. If you want to buy the membership for a year, it will cost $16. If you want it for three years, it will cost $43.
If you aim to have it for even longer, then a five-year membership suits you the best. For only $63!
3. Free tax filing
Let’s pretend you still have taxable income and you need help in filling out and filing your tax forms. No need to be concerned because VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is available to you, especially if you make $54,000 or less. How awesome is that?
Did you know about this program?
4. Food and drinks at restaurants
If you sign up for a senior membership (AARP), you will be entitled to a host of discounts at restaurants. There is no shame in simply asking before you order if seniors after a certain age receive discounts or not.
A lot of fast food restaurants, including KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and Whataburger, are offering discounts, and it’s awesome!
Are you a fan of donuts? If you’re 55 or older at Dunkin’, you can get a free donut with the purchase of a large beverage.
5. Education
It’s never too late to learn new things. It’s actually good for the brain. That’s why many colleges and universities offer free or great discounts for seniors. Some of these programs are especially marvelous values, offering tuition-free courses for credit to people aged 60 or older.
And a lot of universities are offering auditing classes for free! But be aware that this means you get all the education but you won’t receive credits toward a degree.
Do you have a hobby or something you want to learn when you retire? Tell us in the comments! We are eager to know more about our readers!
TIP: There are a lot of online learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare that offer a lot of nice and affordable courses. Don’t forget about Duolingo in case you are interested in learning a new language. May be helpful, especially if you want to travel a bit more when you retire.
6. Tax breaks
Retirees are usually eligible for federal income tax breaks (tax deductions and even tax credits), and many of them overlook the opportunities to lower their tax bills. For example, seniors that are 65 years old and don’t itemize their tax deductions generally are eligible for a larger standard deduction compared to younger taxpayers.
Amazing, right?
7. Public transportation
Unfortunately, one of the downsides of getting older is that we might develop physical issues and our eyesight won’t be as good as before. That’s why ride-sharing or a taxi can be a good option for many of us. But that might be expensive.
So, a lot of communities, such as Florida’s Miami-Dade County, are offering free transportation options for seniors. Check with your city, state, or country to find out what the benefits are regarding this matter.
8. Vacation discounts
This is the time of your life. You have more free time and you can travel to whatever country you’ve always wanted to visit. Whether you prefer historic tours, cruises, or even mountain gateways, there are plenty of discounts for you. If you are up for a train ride, Amtrak offers plenty of nice discounts for travelers that are 62 years old and up.
If you are living in or planning to visit New York City, you will see some awesome discounts that will enable you to save some money but also enjoy your stay.
If you are 65 or older, you can ride the city’s subways and buses for only $1.35 by just showing your ID. You can also buy reduced-fare Metro Cards at subway tollbooths or just drop in the exact change when you enter a bus.
If you are living in New York and you plan on traveling abroad, consider transportation such as Newark Airport Express, where you will pay only $8 for one-way.
9. Gym membership
If we are getting older, that doesn’t mean we don’t need daily motion. Remember when you were working and you spent a lot of time walking? Well, now things are different, and because you will spend a lot more time indoors, you can start looking for some easy exercises. Of course, after you ask your doctor what types of exercise might help, you can start looking for gyms.
You may be able to get a discounted or free gym membership through your health insurer, especially if you are older than 65.
Some insurance plans offer savings on fitness club memberships as preventive care. There are a lot of Medicare plans that come with a SilverSneakers membership.
This nationwide organization helps insured seniors find a suitable gym schedule to fit their needs. Check their website to see if you can qualify.
Are you interested in yoga? Or what about weight lifting? Tell us in the comments.
10. Internet service
If you use the internet for basics or just to keep in touch with your family and friends from another city, there are options that can get you online for free. How cool is that? Juno, for example, offers 10 hours of free dial-up service every month. On the other hand, NetZero offers a similar package of 10 free hours.
We know the internet is vital these days, especially if you read the news daily or you simply want to learn a new language. Make sure you check the list of internet providers in your town in order to find out the lower-cost options that are available.
You may also like: 8 Types of Americans Who Aren’t Eligible to Get Social Security.
