The poverty rate among seniors in America is already high and growing. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the poverty rate for Americans 65 and older rose (albeit slightly) from 8.9 percent in 2009 to 9.0 percent in 2010. The growing cost of food, housing, and especially medical care, which tends to increase as we age, adds to economic instability for many of our elderly.
Sure, Social Security is a net to help prevent seniors from abject poverty, but recent economic recessions have forced many older Americans, those without employment income, to live hand-to-mouth. In many instances, seniors deplete their savings to a point that they are outliving their money.
Former Caregiverlist Sherpa Vera Perekoteyeva, who is always on the lookout for ways to help seniors and their caregivers, passed along this link from MOGUL that lists discounts available for older consumers; some discounts apply for those as young as 50 years old.
While senior discounts won’t cure the ill of elderly poverty, every dollar saved is a win. Discounts can be had across the board of consumer goods and services. Many times the only prerequisite for savings (besides age) is you have to ASK for the senior discount.
Senior discounts for restaurants tend to be found in fast-food and chain establishments. Caregiverlist is a great proponent of aging well which includes nutritious eating. Remember that you can find healthy dining options, even at fast-food restaurants.
Here are the top senior discounts for 2015 making their rounds on the web (caveat — this list is found on many sites all over the web; I have not verified these discounts, if you ask for them and are met with a blank stare, don’t shoot the messenger!):
RESTAURANTS:
- Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
- Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
- Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
- Bennigan’s: discount varies by location (60+)
- Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
- Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
- Burger King: 10% off (60+)
- Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
- Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
- CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
- Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
- Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
- Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
- Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
- Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
- Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
- Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
- IHOP: 10% off (55+)
- Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
- KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
- Long John Silver’s: various discounts at locations (55+)
- McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
- Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
- Shoney’s: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
- Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
- Subway: 10% off (60+)
- Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
- Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
- TCBY: 10% off (55+)
- Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
- Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
- Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
- Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
- White Castle: 10% off (62+)
RETAIL & APPAREL:
- Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
- Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (55+)
- Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
- Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
- C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
- Clarks: 10% off (62+)
- Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
- Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
- Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
- Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
- Marshall’s: 20% off every Tuesday (55+)
- Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
- Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
- Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
- TJ Maxx: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
- The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
- Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
GROCERY:
- Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
- American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
- Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
- DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
- Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
- Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
- Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
- Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
- Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
- Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
- Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
- The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
- Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
- Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
- Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)
TRAVEL:
Airlines:
- Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
- American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
- Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
- Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
- Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
- Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+
Car Rental:
- Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
- Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Best Western: 10% off (55+)
- Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
- Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
- Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
- National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Hotels:
- Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
- Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
- Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
- InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
- Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
- Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
- Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
- Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
- Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
- Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
- AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
- Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
- Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
- Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
- Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
- U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
- Regal Cinemas: 30% off Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
- SeaWorld Orlando, FL: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS:
- AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
- Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
- Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
- Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)
The serious issue of senior poverty won’t be resolved with 10 percent discounts. If you are in or near Chicago over the next few days, The Aging in America Conference will be held from March 23-27 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, where over 2,500 attendees from across the nation and abroad will discuss issues of aging and quality of life for older adults. On Thursday, March 26, from 9-10am, Paul Nathanson, JD, Special Counsel, National Senior Citizens Law Center will present Let’s Talk Senior Poverty: What Are We Doing About It? Learn more about ASA’s Aging in America Conference here.
