You might be curious about what age qualifies as a senior citizen, whether it’s because you’re counting down the years until you can snag those senior discounts, or perhaps you’re a youngster scheming some old fashioned teasing for your parents.
Whatever your reason, we’re here to help clarify at what age someone is considered a senior citizen in the U.S., how this varies across different businesses (getting those senior discounts) , and what the criteria is in other countries.
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In the U.S., senior citizen status begins at varying ages for different benefits: 55 for some discounts, 62 for early Social Security and other benefits, and 65 for Medicare and many senior programs, with similar or differing age thresholds in other countries. Benefits include discounts, healthcare, transportation, housing assistance, and tax relief, enriching the lives of seniors through financial and social support.
A senior citizen (noun) is an older adult and especially one who is age 65 or older.
| Age | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Early Senior Discounts | Retail and restaurant discounts (e.g., Michael’s, Ross, Walgreens, Chili’s, Denny’s) |
| 62 | Intermediate Senior Benefits | Social Security (early benefits), National Park Service Senior Pass, discounted public transit fares, HUD housing assistance |
| 65 | Government-Recognized Senior | Medicare eligibility, Social Security (full benefits at 67), increased benefits if delayed to 70; discounts on goods/services, tax benefits, SHIP health insurance counseling, senior housing, cultural/recreational discounts |
| State | Senior Age | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project (AESAP) for SNAP benefits |
| Alaska | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Benefits Program, property tax exemptions |
| Arizona | 55, 65 | Retail discounts (55), Medicare and Social Security (65), Elderly Assistance Fund for property taxes |
| Arkansas | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax relief for seniors |
| California | 55, 62, 65 | Retail/restaurant discounts (55), National Park Service Pass (62), Medicare and Social Security (65) |
| Colorado | 65 | Property tax exemptions, Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Services (AAA programs), Old Age Pension Program |
| Connecticut | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax relief, Elderly Nutrition Program |
| Delaware | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Property Tax Credit |
| Florida | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax exemptions, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) |
| Georgia | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), property tax exemptions |
| Hawaii | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program |
| Idaho | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax reduction for seniors |
| Illinois | 65 | SHIP counseling, Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit, license plate discount, property tax exemptions |
| Indiana | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), HoosierRx prescription drug assistance |
| Iowa | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax credit for elderly, Elderly Waiver for Medicaid |
| Kansas | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Homestead Property Tax Refund for seniors |
| Kentucky | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax exemption for seniors |
| Louisiana | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), SeniorRx prescription assistance program |
| Maine | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Property Tax Fairness Credit |
| Maryland | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Call Check Program, Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program |
| Massachusetts | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, Elder Affairs programs |
| Michigan | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Project Fresh (nutrition program), Elder Prescription Insurance Coverage (EPIC) |
| Minnesota | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Nutrition Programs, Property Tax Refund for Seniors |
| Mississippi | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), Homestead Exemption for seniors |
| Missouri | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax credit for seniors |
| Montana | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit |
| Nebraska | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), Homestead Exemption for seniors |
| Nevada | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Property Tax Assistance |
| New Hampshire | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax exemptions for seniors |
| New Jersey | 62, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (62), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Freeze (property tax reimbursement), Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) |
| New Mexico | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax exemptions for seniors |
| New York | 62, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (62), Medicare and Social Security (65), Enhanced STAR exemption for property taxes, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) |
| North Carolina | 60, 65 | Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) services (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Tar Heel Legislature participation |
| North Dakota | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), Homestead Property Tax Credit for seniors |
| Ohio | 60 | Reduced fares, Golden Buckeye Card, retail/restaurant discounts |
| Oklahoma | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax exemptions for seniors |
| Oregon | 62, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (62), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax deferral for seniors |
| Pennsylvania | 65 | Property tax/rent rebates, PACE/PACENET prescription assistance, reduced public transit fares, Medicare and Social Security (65) |
| Rhode Island | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax relief for seniors |
| South Carolina | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Homestead Exemption for seniors |
| South Dakota | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax reduction for seniors |
| Tennessee | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Tennessee Senior Law Alliance (TSLA) for legal assistance, property tax relief programs |
| Texas | 65 | Property tax deferral, Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Community Services (AAA programs), Silver Alert program for missing seniors |
| Utah | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Property Tax Abatement |
| Vermont | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax credit for seniors |
| Virginia | 65 | Medicare and Social Security (65), reduced public transit fares, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), property tax relief programs |
| Washington | 61, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (61), Medicare and Social Security (65), Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption |
| West Virginia | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), property tax homestead exemption |
| Wisconsin | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), SeniorCare prescription drug assistance, property tax deferral programs |
| Wyoming | 60, 65 | Reduced public transit fares (60), Medicare and Social Security (65), Elderly and Disabled Tax Refund Program |
Even though the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a senior as 65 and older, many businesses and entities consider 55 to be the start of senior citizenship. As a result, numerous retail stores and restaurants offer senior discounts to individuals aged 55 or older.
Many stores offer discounts for seniors starting at age 55. For example, you can get a 10% discount at Michael’s, Ross, and Walgreens under certain conditions. Grocery chains like Fred Meyer and Fry’s offer similar discounts on specific days or product
Restaurants like Chili’s, Denny’s, and IHOP offer various discounts and senior menus for individuals aged 55 and older. So if you are frequent any of these restaurants you may already consider yourself a senior citizen.
In the United States, several businesses and entities categorize individuals as seniors starting at age 62. This designation is often associated with various benefits and discounts. Here are some key entities that consider 62 as the senior age:
This discussion illustrates the nuanced considerations in defining senior citizenship at age 62, weighing eligibility for benefits, retirement status, and the active lifestyles of many individuals in this age group.
In the United States, the government generally makes it clear that at 65, a U.S. citizen is considered a senior citizen. This is the age where an individual can become eligible for government benefits like Medicare and you are almost eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits (age 67), though individuals can start receiving reduced Social Security benefits at the age of 62. If you delay even further, up until age 70, your benefits increase each year you wait. Apply Here
In California, you might consider yourself a senior citizen when you start qualifying for various age-specific benefits. At age 55, you become eligible for senior discounts at numerous retail stores and restaurants. By 62, you can access benefits like the National Park Service Senior Pass and reduced fares on public transit. At 65, you are eligible for Medicare, while full Social Security benefits kick in at age 66 or 67, depending on your birth year, with potential increases if you delay up to age 70.
In Illinois, senior citizens are typically considered to be individuals who are 65 years of age or older. This age is significant as it qualifies seniors for a variety of state-sponsored benefits and programs designed to aid their quality of life. Some of these benefits include the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling services on Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance matters.
Additionally, the Benefit Access Program offers perks like the Seniors Ride Free Transit Benefit and a license plate discount, both aimed at improving mobility and reducing living costs for seniors (Illinois Department on Aging)
Furthermore, seniors aged 65 and older in Illinois may be eligible for property tax exemptions to help ease the financial burden of homeownership (Illinois Department on Aging). Each of these programs underscores Illinois’ commitment to supporting its senior population through various stages of their later years.
In Ohio, the age considered to be a senior citizen typically starts at 60 years old. This age threshold qualifies individuals for a variety of benefits and discounts, such as reduced fares on public transportation and special pricing at many local businesses, restaurants, and retail stores. Additionally, seniors in Ohio can apply for the Golden Buckeye Card, which offers additional discounts and savings across a range of services once they reach this age.
| Country | Age for Senior Citizen Status | Notable Benefits and Context |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 65 | Eligible for Medicare and many other senior benefits. |
| United Kingdom | 60 or 65 | Age 60 often for state pension benefits. |
| Canada | 65 | Benchmark age for senior citizen benefits, varies by province. |
| Australia | 65 | Eligibility for the Age Pension and other senior benefits. |
| India | 60 | Aligns with retirement and eligibility for government benefits. |
| Philippines | 60 | Benefits include discounts on medicine, healthcare, transportation. |
| Japan | 65 (some at 60) | Some benefits start from age 60. |
| Austria | 65 | Common age for senior discounts and benefits. |
| Belgium | 65 | Some benefits may be available earlier under certain conditions. |
| China | 60 (Men), 50-55 (Women) | Age varies for women depending on employment type. |
| Colombia | 62 | Standard age for recognizing senior citizens. |
| Croatia | 65 by 2030 | Transitioning to uniform age of 65 for retirement. |
| Czech Republic | Over 67 | Transitioning based on birth year and other factors. |
| Denmark | 67 by 2022 | Set to increase based on lifespan. |
| Estonia | 65 by 2026 | Gradual increase to 65. |
| Finland | 63.75 to 68 | Ranges based on birth year and expected lifespan. |
| France | 65 | Typical age for recognition as a senior citizen. |
| Chile | 60 | Standard age for senior status. |
| Egypt | 60 | Recognized age for senior citizens. |
| Greece | 65 | Typical starting age for senior citizen status. |
| Italy | 65 | Commonly recognized as senior citizens at this age. |
| Portugal | 65 | Age for recognition as a senior citizen. |
| Russia | 55 (Women), 60 (Men) | Gender-differentiated ages for senior status. |
| South Africa | 60 | Standard age for recognizing senior citizens. |
| Thailand | 60 | Defined starting age for senior citizen status. |
In the United States, while there are specific ages at which you qualify for Medicare (65), Social Security benefits (as early as 62), and various senior discounts, the concept of being a senior citizen doesn’t have to be strictly tied to age.
You might choose to identify as a senior based on your life experiences, retirement status, or simply how you feel about your place in life. It’s important to recognize that labeling oneself as a senior can bring a mix of emotions, but it also opens the door to a range of benefits designed to support wellbeing in later years.
Embracing this stage can offer not just financial advantages but also opportunities for enriched community engagement and personal growth.
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