Living on a fixed income may mean retired seniors have limited access to extra cash. Some seniors who are retired and no longer collecting a regular paycheck may depend on fixed income from sources such as Social Security, pensions and retirement savings. In fact, 40% of older Americans rely on Social Security as their only source of income.1
To make the most of a fixed income, savvy older adults are regularly checking for senior discounts. Fortunately, many businesses and service providers offer savings for people 50 or older. Some organizations have an established lower price for seniors, while others offer senior discounts on certain days of the week.2
Making the most of senior citizen discounts
For retired seniors living on a fixed income, some tips for making the most of senior citizen discounts include:3
- Accept AARP membership status. Beginning at age 50, older adults are invited to join the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The organization grants its members access to 10% - 20% savings on a variety of services. AARP members enjoy savings on travel, hotels, car rental services, prescriptions and more.
In addition to advocating for senior citizens to lawmakers and corporations, AARP offers education and resources to support seniors to live healthy, active lives.
- Ask for senior discounts. Some establishments may not post senior discounts prominently. Retirees are encouraged to ask about discounts before they pay full price. For seniors who are active or retired from military service, remember to ask about military and veteran discounts.
Senior Discounts Club membership gives access to discounts, deals and coupons. Seniors sign up for a free account to receive daily email newsletters with the latest discounts and deals.4
What age is considered senior?
The age when a person is considered a senior citizen varies. Medicare says a senior is 65 years or older. While older adults are eligible for Social Security benefits starting at 62, the Social Security Office states 67 is the age of retirement. However, Arby’s and McDonald’s allow senior discounts beginning at age 55, while Burger King offers discounts beginning at age 60.5
Regardless of the senior’s location, each establishment will have its own rules for offering senior discounts.
Restaurant senior discounts
From casual dining and fast food, there are national restaurant chains offering 10% discounts or senior menus. In addition, AARP members aged 50 and up get a 10% discount at certain steak restaurants.6
Retire Guide provides a long list of restaurants with information that includes the type of discount, age eligibility and availability.7
Retail senior discounts
AARP says, “Age has its perks, and a big one is discounts.”8 To attract new customers and reward loyalty, some national retailers offer special discounts to older consumers. Discounts range from 10% to 15% off at well-known clothing and department stores, as well as craft specialty stores and pharmacies.
AARP has a list of retailers offering discounts.9 Seniors are advised to check the websites and customer service at the stores where they shop.
Walmart no longer offers senior discounts, as of 2023,10 which is most likely due to Walmart’s “everyday low price” strategy. Instead, the discount retailer encourages customers to download the free Walmart app to get updates on weekly deals available in-store and online.
Grocery store senior discounts
The majority of seniors (63%) surveyed by the Senior Citizens League say food costs are the category of spending that increased the fastest in their household in 2023.11
For this reason, older Americans are encouraged to check weekly sales ads and shop at grocery stores offering senior discounts by as much as 10% off.12
Hotel senior discounts
Before booking a room at a hotel, ask about a senior discount to take advantage of savings. Certain hotel chains provide discounts between 10% and 30% savings for seniors 55 and up.13
Car rental senior discounts
When renting a car, check on available senior discounts. Confirm that the promotion can be used on the vehicle size needed. U.S. News & World Report has a list of well-known car rental companies with deals for seniors ranging from 20% to 30% discounts.14
Airline senior discounts
Avid vacationers and globetrotters may have reward miles accumulated using credit cards associated with airline loyalty programs. In addition, frequent fliers know to avoid popular vacation months, such as June, July and August.15
Retire Guide16 and U.S. News & World Report17 have lists of major airlines offering senior discounts for as much as $65 and $200 off airfare and percent savings on select routes.
Travel senior discounts
Cities with public transit, including buses, trains and subways, typically offer senior discounts. For cross country trips, Amtrak offers 10% discount, while Greyhound Bus Lines provides 5% savings for seniors.18
Cellphone senior discounts
Major cellphone service providers offer senior discounts. Ranging from $10 discount to as much as $30/line/month, seniors are advised to review the specifications of the cellphone plan to ensure it fits their needs and lifestyle.19
Health senior discounts
Finding ways to cut healthcare costs includes prioritizing senior discounts for prescriptions and other healthcare needs.
For example, AARP members and nonmembers can access senior discounts on FDA-approved prescriptions not covered by insurance.20
From Costco, CVS and Walgreens to Target and Walmart, Retire Guide has a list of pharmacies offering senior discounts, including the type of discount, age eligibility and availability.21
Cruise senior discounts
Seniors who love to cruise are quick to contact cruise lines directly because certain senior discounts are not in advertisements or promoted on their websites. Cruise lines also offer special promotions during off-peak times of the year, along with special pricing for seniors depending on sailing dates and destinations.22
Discounts for senior activities
Parks, museums, concerts, plays and other events offer special deals to seniors. Present an ID to take advantage of senior discounts:23
- America the Beautiful Senior Pass – U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or older can get an annual senior pass for $20 (or $80 for a lifetime pass), which can be used at national parks and federal recreational lands.
- Art Institute of Chicago – Seniors aged 65 and up get $8 off admission price.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City – Visitors aged 65 and older enjoy $8 senior discount on tickets.
- The National Baseball Hall of Fame – $6 discounted admission for seniors 65 and up.
- Ticketmaster – AARP members receive discounts on selected events.
Movies, hobbies, games and other interests seniors enjoy are eligible for seniors discounts, including Amazon Prime and movie theaters.24
Free or deep discounts for seniors
Free is considered the best price to pay and seniors in America are able to take advantage of products and services that are no charge or deeply discounted, such as:25
- Hearing aids – Medicaid and the Veterans Administration may provide free hearing aids. In addition, the National Hearing Aid Project assists low-income seniors with finding hearing aids.
- Medicare Part A, Doctor’s visits and wellness exams, Gym memberships – Seniors aged 65 and older who are eligible for Medicare can get free annual wellness visits, flu shots, certain vaccines and certain screenings. Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, hospice and home health care, as well as care in a skilled nursing facility or nursing home. Fitness institutions also offer free or discounted memberships for adults 65 and up.
- Tax preparation – AARP offers the Tax-Aide program, a free tax assistance service for adults 50 and older.
- Phones and internet – Seniors may be eligible for government assistance programs offering free or discounted phones, internet service and computers. Check the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), sponsored by the Federal Communications Commission, and Lifeline, a federal program that lowers the monthly costs of phone or internet service.
- Public transit – In Pennsylvania, seniors can ride free through the Senior Ride Program. Mississippi offers free rides to seniors using the Coast Transit Authority. Other urban communities, such as Minneapolis offer a discounted metro card for seniors 65 and older. Seniors are advised to research options for their area.
- Education and classes – AARP offers a list of academic institutions in each state that offer free or low-cost options for seniors to continue their education.26
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Sources:
1Genevieve Waterman, “What Does Living on a Fixed Income Mean?” National Council on Aging, last accessed October 13, 2023,
2Rachel Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023,” U.S. News & World Report, last accessed October 13, 2023,
3Matt Matasci, “75 of the Best Senior Discounts for Food, Entertainment, Travel and More,” last accessed October 13, 2023,
4“Senior Discounts Club,” Senior Discounts Club, last accessed October 13, 2023,
5Jeff Hoyt, “The Most Common Questions Senior Citizens Have,” SeniorLiving.com, last accessed October 13, 2023,
6Terry Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts,” Retire Guide, last accessed October 13, 2023,
7Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
8Donna Fuscaldo, “7 Surprising Retailers That Offer Senior Discounts,” AARP, last accessed October 13, 2023,
9Fuscaldo, “7 Surprising Retailers That Offer Senior Discounts.”
10Amie Clark, “Walmart Senior Discounts in 2023,” The Senior List, last accessed October 13, 2023,
11Aimee Picchi, “Prices are falling, but not for food. Groceries remain a “pain point.” CBS News, last accessed October 13, 2023,
12Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
13Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
14Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
15Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
16Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
17Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
18Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
19Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
20Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
21Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
22Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
23Hartman, “Great Senior Discounts for 2023.”
24Turner, “Senior Benefits & Discounts.”
25Taylor Shuman, “13 Things That Are Free for Seniors,” Senior Living, last accessed October 13, 2023,
26Stacy Rapacon, “Free or Cheap College Courses for Adults in all 50 States,” AARP, last accessed October 13, 2023,
This information is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.
