Senior Benefits Guide: What Concessions Can I Get at 65?

When you turn 65, you reach a big milestone that lets you get a lot of benefits and breaks that will make your golden years more comfortable and affordable. There are a lot of programs out there for seniors that they don’t fully understand. These range from health insurance to food stamps and store discounts.

Government Benefits for Seniors Over 65

Medicare Coverage

When you turn 65, you can sign up for Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program just for seniors. Medicare consists of four main parts .

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.

• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Covers outpatient care doctor visits preventive services like vaccines, and other medically necessary services such as lab tests and x-rays. Part B requires a monthly premium based on your income, plus a deductible and typically 20% coinsurance for most services.

• Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): These are private health plans approved by Medicare that combine Part A and B benefits, often including additional benefits like prescription coverage, dental, vision, and wellness programs.

• Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Covers prescription drugs and is available through private insurance companies.

You may also consider Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) to help cover costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Medicare Savings Programs

If you have limited income and resources, Medicare Savings Programs can help pay for some or all of your Medicare expenses. The four main programs include:

1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program: Helps pay Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program: Helps pay Part B premiums.

3. Qualifying Individual Program: Helps pay Part B premiums.

4. Qualified Disabled & Working Individual Program: Helps pay Part A premiums only.

Social Security Benefits

At 65, you’re likely eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, though full retirement age is currently 66 or 67 depending on your birth year. The amount you receive depends on your lifetime earnings, with the Social Security Administration calculating the average of your highest-earning 35 years.

To be eligible, you must:

• Have earned enough credits
• Be age 62 or above (though benefits increase if you wait until full retirement age)
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. This federal cash assistance program helps eligible individuals meet their basic needs.

Food Assistance Programs for Seniors

Many seniors struggle with food security, but there are several programs designed to help:

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

You can use these coupons at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community farms to get fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. To qualify, you generally need to be:

• 60 years or older
• Have an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

CSFP provides a monthly package of healthy food that USDA distributes to local agencies where you can pick it up. In some states, you may even be eligible to have your food delivered. Eligibility requirements typically include:

• Being 60 years or older
• Having an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines

SNAP Benefits for Seniors

If your state doesn’t offer SFMNP or CSFP, you might be able to get help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which used to be called food stamps.

Medicare Flex Card

If you have insurance through Medicare Advantage (Part C), you may be eligible for a Medicare flex card. This card acts as a food allowance card for seniors and can also help pay for utilities, transportation to medical appointments, and more. Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer flex cards, so you’ll need to contact your insurance provider to find out.

Housing and Utility Assistance

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

For homeowners over 62, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program offers reverse mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration. This can help supplement retirement income, consolidate debts, pay for emergencies, or even purchase a new home.

Utility Discounts

Many utility companies offer discounts to seniors on their monthly bills. These can vary by company and state, but they often provide significant savings on energy costs.

Tax Benefits for Seniors

Turning 65 comes with several tax advantages:

Higher Standard Deductions

Seniors 65 and older are eligible for higher standard deductions on their taxes compared to younger individuals:

• For single seniors: The standard deduction is $1,600 higher than the regular standard deduction for individuals under 65.
• For married couples (both spouses 65 or older): The standard deduction is $3,200 higher than the regular standard deduction for couples where both spouses are under 65.

Additional Tax Breaks

Seniors may also qualify for:

• Deductions for certain medical expenses
• Credit for the elderly or disabled
• Deferrals on property taxes or school taxes

Retirement Account Benefits

Workers aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions to retirement accounts:

• Up to $26,000 to a 401(k) plan, which is $6,500 more than younger employees
• An additional $1,000 to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), bringing the total to $7,000

After age 72, you typically must begin taking required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts. However, individuals age 70 1/2 or older can move up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to a qualifying charity tax-free.

Senior Discounts

One of the most well-known perks of turning 65 is access to a wide range of discounts. While not all businesses advertise these concessions, it’s always worth asking!

Retail Discounts

Many retailers offer senior discounts ranging from 5% to 10% off purchases. Some stores also have special “senior days” with deeper discounts. Don’t be shy about asking if a senior discount is available!

Travel Concessions

Travel can be much more affordable for seniors:

• Hotels and car rental agencies often offer reduced rates for seniors or AARP members
• Amtrak offers a 10% discount on fares for passengers 65 and older
• Seniors who are permanent U.S. residents and 62 or older can purchase a National Park Service lifetime pass for just $80, providing access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites

Entertainment Discounts

Your entertainment budget can stretch further with senior discounts on:

• Movie theaters (especially matinee showings)
• Museums (often with free or discounted admission on specific days)
• Bowling alleys
• Other entertainment facilities

AARP Membership Benefits

Joining the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) at age 50 provides access to numerous negotiated discounts on restaurants, travel, entertainment, and more.

State-Specific Benefits

Benefits vary widely by state. Here are some examples from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho:

Washington State

• Community Options Program Entry System Waiver (COPES): Provides home and community-based services to elderly or disabled residents at risk of entering a nursing home.
• Tailored Support for Older Adults (TSOA): Supports unpaid caregivers and adults 55+ who are at risk of needing long-term care but don’t qualify for Medicaid.

Oregon

• Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA): Offers free counseling to help Medicare-eligible individuals understand their health insurance options.
• Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program: Provides vouchers to eligible low-income seniors for fresh, locally grown produce.
• Providence Elderplace (PACE): Offers medical and social services to eligible frail older adults living in their communities.

Idaho

• Idaho Homemaker Services Program: Assists seniors 60+ with daily living activities like housekeeping, meal prep, and grocery shopping.
• Medicaid Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver: Helps elderly or disabled Idahoans at risk of nursing home placement remain in their homes or communities.

Veteran-Specific Benefits

If you served in the active-duty armed forces during a war, you may be eligible for additional benefits through the Veterans Administration (VA).

The VA Non-Service Connected Pension program, also known as Aid and Attendance, provides a guaranteed monthly payment to qualifying veterans. This program can help pay for costs if you’re elderly and living in your home, a nursing home, or an assisted living or independent living community.

Insurance Policy Conversion

Don’t overlook old life insurance policies – they might be valuable resources. You may be able to convert the cash value of a life insurance policy to help pay for assisted living or long-term care costs. Some companies can buy policies at their current worth, with funds transferred into an FDIC-insured account in your name and allocated tax-free to your care provider monthly.

How to Apply for Senior Benefits

To access these concessions and benefits:

1. Contact the Social Security Administration for Social Security and SSI benefits
2. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for Medicare information
3. Contact your local Veterans Affairs office for veteran benefits
4. Use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool on the Social Security website
5. For state-specific programs, contact your state’s Department of Aging or equivalent agency

Turning 65 opens the door to numerous concessions and benefits that can significantly improve your financial situation and quality of life. From healthcare coverage and food assistance to tax breaks and discounts, these programs are designed to make your retirement years more comfortable and enjoyable.

I always recommend being proactive about researching and applying for the benefits you’re entitled to. Many seniors miss out simply because they aren’t aware these programs exist or don’t know how to apply. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the relevant agencies or seek assistance from senior advocacy organizations if you need help navigating the application process.

Remember, these benefits are there for you – you’ve earned them!