Life is always a blessing especially when you count on the days that you are still alive on earth. The more years you are still alive, the more you triumph over life’s problems and challenges. Senior citizens are the old ones who are still significant in anyone’s society even if they are less productive at their age. Once you reach this age, you can enjoy these exclusive privileges to minimize the selling price when you purchase goods or services. This article is all about the TOP DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS offered by different establishments in the US.

WHAT ARE SENIOR DISCOUNTS?

Reaching senior citizens’ age is not that easy considering that their physical aspect is not stable and some of them are already maintaining their daily medicines to keep them alive and kicking. This age is not a joke, and that’s why government must help them, especially in compensating for their needs and offering special discounts exclusively for them. Life can be tough for them, especially with the high inflation rate nowadays that is happening everywhere in the world. These discounts are exclusive privileges given to old-aged people normally those people who are 55 years old and above. Some countries give these special privileges like discounts on medical bills, groceries, food, and other personal necessities when you reach 60 years of age. Senior discounts consist of benefits or discounts like 20% discount or reduced prices for any items they want to avail as long as they have their identification ids or card to verify that they are senior citizens. Some states and countries offer 10% off up to 25% discount on any items or selected items exclusive to them. These senior discounts are for all qualified citizens as long as they can prove that they are qualified with their age. Listed below are offered special discounts by convenience stores, pharmacies, luxury hotels, and any retailers which will result in vital savings for seniors. Seniors need to avail of all of these benefits so they can fully enjoy their privileges as senior citizens, So read until the end if you or any family member want to avail of these discounts.

TOP DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORSSENIOR DISCOUNTS AT GROCERY STORES

* AMERICAN DISCOUNT FOODS – Senior citizens who are 62 years old and above can avail 10% discount every Monday.
* FRED MEYER – This grocery store offers a 10% discount for selected items every 1st Tuesday of the month for people who are 55 years old and above.
* NEW SEASONS MARKET – 65 years old and above can avail of 10% off most of their items every Wednesday.
* BI-LO – Every Wednesday, they offer 5% off for seniors who are 60 years old and up.

SENIOR TRAVEL DISCOUNTS

* DELTA AIRLINES – They offer special fares for seniors in certain markets.
* UNITED AIRLINES – Seniors who are 65 and above can avail of discounts and exclusive senior fares.
* CARNIVAL CRUISE – They offer discounted fares on certain types of cruise sails if you are 55 years old and above.
* ROYAL CARIBBEAN – Seniors who are 55 years old and above can avail of less or reduced prices for Caribbean sails.
* AMTRAK – They offer 10% discounts on most of their domestic trip’s rail fares for those seniors who are 65 and above and also 10% off for their Canadian rail fares trips.

PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

* TARGET OPTICAL – exclusive senior members can avail of their deals like a $10 discount when they purchase entire eyewear and an extra $10 off for their non-prescription sunglasses as well as 10% off for their contact lenses.
* RITE AID – Senior citizens who are 65 and above can avail of some benefits like their wellness program for those who are 65 years old and up plus a 20% discount for any purchases other than their prescriptions every first Wednesday of the month.

HOTEL DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

* MOTEL 6 – Seniors will have an 8% off on their lowest rate which means that they can spend or pay less than $50 when they checked in.
* BEST WESTERN – They offer 15% off for senior citizens who are 55 and above.
* CHOICE HOTELS – For those seniors who are 60 years old and above or if you are an AARP member, you are qualified for 10% off as long as you have your advanced reservations.

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS

* BUDGET CAR RENTAL – If you are an AARP member, you can avail of their privilege offer of up to 30% off on your next budget rental.
* HERTZ – If your age is 50 years old and above, you can get up to 20% discount on your next car rental.
* AVIS – Those AARP members can avail 30% discount on their next rental.

CELL PHONES DISCOUNTS FOR SENIORS

* T-MOBILE – This is an exclusive discount for seniors who are at least 55 years old and up for various phone plans, ranging from almost $28 every month to $45.
* CONSUMER CELLULAR – AARP members can avail of 30% off as long as they are eligible for their accessories and 5% off for monthly services.
* VERIZON – They offer seniors who are 55 and above a special discount rate for availing one or 2 lines or an equivalent of $15 off.
* AT&T – AARP members are the ones who are eligible and can avail of 45% off for an upgrade or any activation fees and 15% off for those eligible accessories and others.

Senior citizens are entitled to these exclusive benefits, discounts, or privileges especially because some of them are no longer living with their families or some are being abandoned by their loved ones. They need to enjoy and avail of these discounts for their own good especially those discounts offered by hospitals and pharmacies when they purchased medicines or vitamins needed for their body to maintain good health. The government, as well as the private sector, must continue to offer these special discounts to cater to the needs of those old-aged people. These privileges help them a lot and they will have more savings when they purchase something. These small discounts will become a great impact to their lives.

Good health is a valuable asset a man can possess; therefore it is necessary that you take good care of your health. Maintaining a healthy body requires care and attention. Healthy diet along with ample physical activities is the secret to good health. It is also important to get health insurance done that would help you in difficult situations. Getting yourself enrolled for Medicare is a great way to keep yourself insured. Before you can enroll, you must know how to qualify for Medicare as a senior.

If you are going to be of 65 years or have already reached that age, you are eligible to get yourself enrolled for Medicare. There are some cases where you become eligible for the health insurance scheme. Before you know how to go about the whole process, you should know about the major parts of Medicare.

Medicare Parts

Part A – Hospital Insurance: It covers home health care, hospice care, skilled nursing facility care, and inpatient hospital care.

Part B – Medical Insurance: It covers home health care, outpatient care, doctors and other health care providers’ services, prevention services like wellness checkups, vaccines, shots, and screenings, and availability of medical equipment including walkers and wheelchairs.

Part C – Medicare Advantage: It is a plan approved by Medicare offered by private companies that serves as an alternative measure to the original Medicare plan. It is a bundle offer of three parts of Medicare i.e. Parts A, B, and D (details below).

Part D – Drug Coverage: It covers the costs related to drugs prescribed by your doctor or health care professional. It includes most of the vaccines and shots recommended by the health experts.

Now that you are aware of the different parts of the medical health insurance, you would be eager to know how much it would cost you. Let us discuss the same in parts.

Part A Costs – If you have paid Medicare taxes for 10 years or more, you would not need to pay a single dollar. You are qualified to get free service you have Social Security benefits due to disability or retirement. It is worth noting that you had taken the insurance before reaching the age of 65 years. If your current or previous spouse paid for the taxes for about 10 years or so, then also you are exempt from paying any premium. If you are not sure whether you paid your taxes for 10 or more years, you would simply have to ask your employer. Another way to know about it is to check your W2S from the time you have been filing your taxes. You can also register for an account on the official website and find out if you have made payments enough to be eligible for Medicare facilities. If you are not being paid for your treatment yet, you would have to pay $1600 each time when you are admitted to any hospital.

Part B Costs – The costs that you would have to pay for the premium even if you do not avail any services covered under Part B. The premium cost starts off with $164.90 monthly and goes on higher depending upon how much you earn. The premium amount is to be paid monthly and there might be increments annually. When you turn 65 years of age and still do not enroll Medicare, you might have to pay penalty. You do not necessarily have to enroll just when you are nearing the age of 65 years but you can do so well before time. Talking about penalty, if you could have signed up for Part B of health insurance but did not do so, you will have to pay 10% extra annually which will be added to the monthly premium you would pay for the same part. You should not have the wrong impression that you would have to pay the penalty amount for a single time but you have to keep paying the same. If you are qualified for Special Enrolment Period, you would be exempted from paying any penalty. If you are wondering who qualifies for Special Enrolment Period, you should know that it covers people that are still working or their spouse are still working and either of you have health coverage.

Part C Costs – Based on the plan that you join, the monthly premium will be decided based on that and the amount is not fixed i.e. it can be changed with each passing year. If you have enrolled for a plan and want to stay in the same, you must pay for your Part B plan.

Part D Costs – The monthly premium amount would depend on the plan that you join. Here too the amount will change with the passing years. If you earn a higher income, the premium will become higher too. When you get your first Medicare and do not join a drug plan, you might end up paying a penalty. If you could have enrolled for Part D but did not do the same, you will have to pay 1% extra monthly for the same. The penalty amount will be added to your monthly premium amount.

If you are looking to get yourself enrolled for Medicare, you should seek the help of someone that knows. Most people do not know how to go about the process of applying for the health insurance. As you have read through this page, you must have understood how important it is to get yourself enrolled for the same on time. When you get timely service, you would be able to avoid paying penalties and fees. It is not a good idea to ignore till it is very late. If you are looking to get Medicare benefits during your senior age, you should take action while you are still young and eligible. Make sure to check out the available health and drug plans and read in details about them. When you have complete details of all the plans, you would be able to make the prudent decision for yourself.

Retirement brings a lot of beautiful memories along with it and if you want to enjoy this phase of your life, you need to start early planning. This will ensure that you will not have to worry about finances after you have worked for so many years. It is also important that you manage your auto loans, mortgage payments and unpaid debts because it is the most crucial part of retirement. Always save enough money for your retirement but you should also know how to live on fixed income for retirement. Safe money management is extremely beneficial as it helps in stretching your savings and making sure that you don’t fall into debt in future. Retirement means that you will have limited financial resources but when you are successful in building a retirement fund, you will not face any kind of financial issues. There might be some unexpected expenses that you might face after your retirement and hence you need to make provisions for this fund for living well on fixed income.

Importance of retirement planning

Retirement might be an end to your earning period but with proper financial planning, you will be able to make a regular stream of income. You also need to build a retirement portfolio that consists of market linked investments and fixed income so that you will not have to worry about any challenges that comes in your life after retirement. There are a lot of adjustments and lifestyle changes that you will have to make after retirement. But make sure that you are able to live on a fixed income without any affect on your quality of life. Entering retirement phase of life means that you will have to live on a fixed income for the rest of your life. Hence, being financially prepared after going through a lifetime of working will mean that you will never face any kind of financial constraints in life. When you collect regular paychecks, you should know the tips on how to live on a fixed income for retirement so that you will enjoy financial independence.

Tips to live on a fixed income for retirement

Create a budget- before your retirement, you need to handle your income in an effective manner and this can be achieved when you create a proper household budget. You also need to add the income from all sources including pension, retirement benefits and retirement savings. Along with the income, you also need to write down the fixed monthly expenses like groceries, cat payment, loans, insurance, utilities, rent and mortgage. This will allow you to create a budget that you will need to follow so that you will never experience any kind of financial constraints.

Pay down debt- there are different types of debt that you should clear before your retirement so that you will live a stress free life. Whether it is your house loans, car loans or any other debt, you need to make sure that these debts do not affect you in any manner during the golden period of your life.

Supplement your income- along with paying down your debt and creating your budget, you also need to look for ways for supplementing your retirement income. You have the option of choosing work from home options so that you can easily earn extra money according to your convenience. It allows you to enjoy extra cash and flexibility that is needed for living a comfortable and independent life.

Push back major expenses- there might be some major expenses that you have been planning to undertake like buying a home, going on a vacation or choosing any other investments. But after retirement, you need to avoid these major purchases so that you will be able to live on a fixed income. Splurging on these additional expenses might affect your budget adversely and hence you need to make sure that you have enough funds for meeting the day to day expenses.

Relocate to a smaller home- if you want to live on a fixed income, you need to reevaluate your living situation so that you will not deplete your savings. Moving to a smaller home will help you cut costs so that you will not have to worry about debt repayment or spend money on maintain a big house. When you don’t want to downsize or have limited budget, you can also move to a retirement community so that you will save a lot of money in the long run.

Stay healthy- healthcare costs take up a significant amount of your retirement budget and it can eventually deplete your savings. Therefore, you need to stay healthy and follow healthy habits so that it will reduce the risks of some serious health problems. Being healthy will prevent any serious health problems and you will not have to face any kind of health emergencies. Hence, you need to maintain a healthy life so that you will remain fit, active and healthy even after your retirement.

Start saving early- saving for your retirement should be done early so that you can make some major adjustments without facing any inconvenience. Always look for ways to diversify your retirement portfolio so that you will enjoy regular stream of lifetime income along with asset protection and growth potential. With proper financial planning, you will be able to manage your finances efficiently and balance a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Opt for automatic payments- paying the utility bills every month on time is extremely important so that you can avoid late fees. Hence, you need to set up the automatic payments for your bills, credit cards, electricity bills and water bills. Make sure that you have sufficient amount of money in your bank so that all the bills will be paid automatically. You will not forget a bill when you opt for automatic payments so that financial loss can be avoided.

Reconsider transportation expenses- transportation costs take a largest amount of your monthly fixed expenses. The best way of eliminate this expense is by investing in a second hand car that is available at a low cost so that you will save money on a monthly basis.

Sometimes senior life isn’t as financially comfortable as expected. It can be difficult to stretch a weekly budget with rising costs and the potential for unexpected expenses. There are lots of different schemes out there with various aims and benefits that can add up to big savings.

Of course, the best starting point is to get your tax allowances and Social Security benefits in order. There are standard tax deductions for seniors and some credits. Your Social Security can then allow for personal or spousal retirement benefits. But, there is so much more out there. Here are some of the best government programs to help seniors financially to get the ball rolling.

Government Financial Assistance For Food.

With food costs continuing to rise, it gets harder and harder to stretch a tight food budget. Some seniors find themselves cutting back on the things they love, and others go as far as skipping nutritious meals to save money. Food-based financial aid can help.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is a great starting point for those aged 60 and above. Those that meet the criteria can receive food packages to help save money on weekly shopping. Alternatively, you might choose to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, to lower costs when grocery shopping.

You might also want to apply for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program. This one is means-tested based on income, as you have to have a total household income within 185% of the federal poverty level. Still, if you qualify, you get access to locally grown produce, which adds high-end ingredients to your meals for better health.

Don’t forget that there are also plenty of non-governmental schemes out there to help put food on the table. Feeding America provides access to meals through foodbanks, and there are always the Meals on Wheels delivery services for a hot meal straight to your door.

Government Assistance For Medical Costs.

Medical bills are another cause for concern with the high costs of medical visits, medication, and other services. Old age can bring other needs with vision and hearing impairments that require corrective aids. There may also be the need for mobility devices for independent living. That is where medical programs can help.

Recipients of Medicaid and Medicare should take the time to see what all-inclusive programs are available. The Extra Help Medicare system is great for dealing with prescription costs, while Medicaid home care services can support those struggling at home.

Again, there are many additional schemes not affiliated with the government that you can try. National PACE Associate works hard on medical and rehabilitation care for those that qualify. There is also the Dental Lifeline Network And Senior Living, with the latter helping with both independent and hospice-based care.

Government Schemes To Help With Housing Expenses.

Another important area that can drain financial resources in senior years is housing costs. It can be expensive to maintain a home, especially an old family home that may be overdue for maintenance and repairs. Where possible, we want to be secure in the home we love rather than having to consider alternative residential services.

The USDA Housing Repair Grants scheme helps provide grants and loans to seniors to make necessary repairs to their property. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has options to help seniors supplement their income, such as subsidies for rental properties. Seniors in the rental market may also benefit from Housing Choice Vouchers Program.

Then there is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help cover energy bills. On a similar line, seniors can also get help lowering energy bills through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. This includes access to new water heaters, insulation, and thermostats.

Government Financial Programs To Help In Other Areas.

Then, there are additional support services out there that can help you cut costs in other areas. Every little helps when it comes to making savings and affording the lifestyle you deserve. It never hurts to speak to people in all kinds of areas to see what they can offer to make life a little easier.

One example that is increasingly important in this modern age is iCanConnect. This nationwide scheme works to help seniors cover the costs of tech so they can stay up to date with trends and keep in touch with family. This includes training on how to use it.

Of course, there is also the option of getting back into the workplace if you want to earn some extra money and pay your own way. The Senior Community Service Program is a great starting point for access to training in various areas for minimum-wage jobs.

Check Your Entitlement As You May Be Surprised At What You Qualify For.

It is easy to dismiss a lot of these schemes and assume you are already getting all you are entitled to. You have your Social Security and Medicaid and feel you aren’t struggling as much as others in need, so why get greedy. Well, it isn’t greedy to get what you are entitled to if it means living comfortably and healthily in your own home.

That is why the final tip in this guide to finding the best government programs to help seniors financially is the BenefitsCheckUp. This directory is a one-stop shop for a range of options, with more than 2,500 schemes listed. Even if there is just one there that proves to be of worth, it is worth your time and effort. The directory comes direct from the National Council of Aging, so you know it is trustworthy.

Take the time to check out all your options, and maybe enlist the help of family members to make sure you can find all the right information and apply for all appropriate schemes. You might also find it helpful to talk to financial planners specializing in senior care. These short-term stresses could pay off with long-term financial benefits for increased security and peace of mind.

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