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FREE CELL PHONES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Staying in touch with friends and family shouldn't have to cost a fortune! These companies provide free or low-cost cell phone service for senior citizens:
Assurance Wireless – Individuals who qualify for a plan with Assurance Wireless can get free texting, data, and phone calls.
Q Link – Seniors who qualify can enjoy 3GB of free data each month, along with unlimited calls and texts.
Safelink – With Safelink, you can keep your phone and number if you'd like!
FOOD FREEBIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
The next time you head to your favorite fast food spot, be sure to mention the deal for seniors and order these items:
Arby's – Quench your thirst with a free drink from Arby's. (55+)
Burger King – AARP members get a free cup of coffee at Burger King!
Dunkin' – At select Dukin' locations, you can get a free donut with the purchase of a large beverage. (55+)
KFC – Get a free small drink at KFC with any entree purchase. (55+)
Taco Bell – No purchase required! If you're 65 or older, you can get a free drink at YUM! owned Taco Bells.
Whataburger – Order a meal, and you can enjoy a free small coffee or drink at select Whataburger locations.
FOOD DISCOUNTS
IHOP
The pancake house has a dedicated 55+ menu, which offers select breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes at a lower price than the regular menu.
Denny’s
Check out the Denny’s 55+ menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner specials at reduced prices. (Enter your ZIP code to see the 55+ menu of your local restaurant.) Prices and selections may vary by location.
If you are an AARP member, you can save 15% on your entire check at Denny’s. (For more such deals, skip to the “AARP member discounts” section of this article.)
El Pollo Loco
At El Pollo Loco, diners 60 years of age and older are eligible for 10% off their order. Ask the cashier about the offer before you check out. Note: The maximum discount value is $1.
Cicis
Cicis does offer discounts for seniors, military personnel and large groups. However, the discounts vary by location because most Cicis restaurants are individually owned.
Chili’s
While there’s no company-wide policy in place, some Chili’s locations offer discounts to senior citizens, military members and uniformed officers. Contact your local Chili’s to find out if it participates.
Golden Corral
Select Golden Corral locations offer senior specials, so ask your nearest restaurant if it participates
AARP member discounts
As soon as you turn 50 years old, you’re eligible to become a full-fledged AARP member. While there is an annual fee, the membership unlocks countless discounts on everything from hotels to health care.
AARP has also partnered with over a dozen restaurants to offer exclusive members-only discounts. Below are the ones currently listed on the AARP website.
Auntie Anne’s: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Bonefish Grill: 10% off dine-in food and non-alcoholic beverages
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 10% off dine-in food and non-alcoholic beverages
Chart House: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Cinnabon: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages, excluding delivery orders
Corner Bakery Cafe: 10% off your total check, excluding delivery orders
Jamba: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages, excluding delivery orders
Joe’s Crab Shack: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Landry’s Seafood: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Landry’s Inc. Restaurants (select brands): 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
McAlister’s Deli: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages, excluding delivery orders
McCormick & Schmick’s: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Moe’s Southwest Grill: 10% off your total check, excluding delivery orders
Oceanaire Seafood Room: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Outback Steakhouse: 10% off dine-in food and non-alcoholic beverages
Rainforest Cafe: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Saltgrass Steak House: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
Schlotzsky’s: 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages, excluding delivery orders
Shopping
Joann
The fabric and craft store periodically celebrates “Senior Discount Day” with 20% off your total purchase, including sale items. Shoppers must be 55 or older and present a state-issued photo ID at checkout.
Kohl’s
Kohl’s shoppers who are at least 60 years old are eligible for a special 15% coupon every Wednesday when they shop in-store
Michaels
Create a Michaels Rewards account to get 10% off your entire purchase in-store or online, including sale items. The “Senior Discount” is available to shoppers 55 years old and up.
Pep Boys
Pep Boys offers 10% off for customers 55 or older.
Ross
The “55+ Tuesday Discount” is a weekly promotion that comes with 10% off purchases made on Tuesdays. Eligible customers must notify a sales associate at checkout and may need to provide a valid ID for proof of age.
Walgreens
Join the myWalgreens rewards program and enjoy special rewards and discounts if you’re 55 or older or an AARP member. In-store deals only come around once per month on “Seniors Day,” and special coupons for online shopping are also offered. Visit Walgreens.com for more details and to sign up for the free rewards program.
AARP members who link their their AARP and myWalgreens memberships can earn extra Walgreens Cash rewards on certain purchases:
10% back on Walgreens-branded health and wellness products
7% back on Walgreens-branded beauty products
3% back on other eligible beauty purchases
AARP member discounts
Below are the retailers currently offering AARP members special promotions.
1-800-Baskets.com: 20% off purchases or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more, excluding wine
1-800-Flowers.com: 20% off purchases or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more
Cheryl’s Cookies: 20% off cookies and treats or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more
FruitBouquets.com: 20% off purchases or $20 off a purchase of $79.99 or more
Harry & David: 20% off online purchases or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more, excluding wine
Personalization Mall: 15% off personalized gifts
Popcorn Factory: 20% off purchases or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more
Shari’s Berries: 20% off an online order of chocolate-covered strawberries
Simply Chocolate: 20% off an online purchase
Stock Yards: 20% off meat and seafood or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more
Target Optical: Extra $10 off a complete pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses; $55 eye exam
UPS Store: 5% off UPS shipping and 15% off eligible products and services
Wolferman’s Bakery: 20% off baked goods or $20 off orders of $79.99 or more
Schwan’s Home Delivery: $20 off your first order of $50 or more, and double rewards points on all online orders
Silver Cuisine by bistroMD: 25% off and free shipping on your first order of $99 or more, and 10% off and free shipping on all subsequent orders of $99 or more
Freshly: 20% off subscriptions of four to 12 meals per week
SimpliSafe: 15% off home security systems
FREE EDUCATION FOR SENIORS
It's never too late to learn something new! Whether you'd like to pick up a new hobby or earn credits towards a degree, here's where to look for the best bargains on education:
City and County Rec Programs – Want to meet other seniors who share your interests? Contact your city or county recreational department to ask for a course guide!
Duolingo – This app is technically free for all ages, but it's too fun not to mention! Want to learn a new language? Download the Duolingo app.
Libraries – Want to know the ins and outs of Microsoft office? Or learn more about computers? Check with your local public library! Many offer free courses for senior citizens.
Public Colleges & Universities – State-run schools in all 50 states offer free or deeply discounted tuition for retirees. Contact your local state school for more information!
Tax Help
Tax Counseling for Elderly Program
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers FREE tax help to individuals who are age 60 or older. Check their website for how to apply. Federal Government Free Tax Help
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP Foundation Tax-Aid provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. There is no AARP membership requirement. Tax Counseling for the Elderly provides free preparation services for seniors. You can find a TCE office near you by calling 800-906-9887 or on the AARP website.
Free Dental Care
If you are a lower income senior, Donated Dental Services (DDS) provides free senior dental care. The program is entirely staffed by volunteer dentists and is available in every state. Their website has a listing of facilities by state and their application process.
FREE DENTURES
You may be able to get dentures for free by contacting your state's dental association. They will be aware of any free services offered by dental schools and others in your state. You may also be able to find about local free denture programs through your local AAA.
Free Medical Services
Low-income older adults can receive medical services for seniors through local free clinics run by the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics.
If you need help with medication, pharmaceutical companies operate Patience Assistance Programs that provide seniors with free medication. Some of these programs are run by states and can be found on the National Council on Aging website. The RXAssist website and the NCOA-sponsored BenefitsCheckUp site help you to search for PAPs offered directly from drug companies.
Free Eye Care
Lions Clubs International provides free eyeglasses, exams, and glaucoma screenings for seniors. These services vary based on your local Lions Club. Target Optical: Extra $10 off a complete pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses; $55 eye exam with AARP membership.
Free Hearing Aids
If you need a hearing aid, there are organizations that assist seniors with obtaining them for free.
Hear Now Program
The Starkey Hearing Foundation has an application process through their Hear Now program.
National Hearing Aid Project
The National Hearing Aid Project assists low-income seniors with finding hearing aids although depending on your level of income they may not be free but very low cost.
Another organizations that assist with getting new or refurbished hearing aids for seniors include the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club through their local branches.
You may also qualify for a free hearing aid through Medicaid and the Veterans Administration. If you need help understanding what your government benefits through Medicare cover, the Senior Health Insurance Assistant Program helps seniors with free health insurance counseling. Seniors who are suffering from hearing loss can also get a free phone from CaptionCall. The phones have a screen interface that provides captioning for incoming calls.
Phone and Internet Service
The Lifeline program which is funded by the Federal Communications Commission, provides low cost and free cell phone or landline services for low-income seniors. The program is available through various phone service providers, such as QLink and AT&T, and options will vary. Some providers include a free phone while others do not so it's best to shop around. Likewise, many local cable companies offer free internet service for the elderly. Some of these include Comcast, Cox, and AT&T. These services may be discounted or completely free for seniors, so you'll need to call and research the best options in your service area.
Prime membership
Medicaid cardholders can get an Amazon Prime membership at a rate of $5.99 a month, as opposed to the full price of $12.99 per month. Prime members enjoy free two-day shipping on Amazon Prime products, access to Amazon’s video and music streaming services, and unlimited access to over a thousand top Kindle books.
National Park entry
America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands offers a Senior Pass for those 62 and up. The annual pass is $20 (plus a $10 handling fee), while the lifetime pass only costs $80. Passes can be obtained in person at a federal recreation site, online, or through the mail using the application form. Passes provide entry for you and anyone else in the car to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest areas and other federal recreation lands.
Flights
Lots of airlines offer senior discounts. United offers senior fares to selected travel destinations for customers who are 65 and older. Ask about the senior fares when making a reservation over the phone. When you book on United.com, instead of selecting “1 Adult” under “Travelers,” select the Seniors (65+) category.
Entertainment
AMC Theatres- discounted tickets
Cinemark- Discounted tickets for Senior Day
Regal-Discounted tickets
Showcase Cinemas- Discounted $7.75 on Wednesdays and $5.50 popcorn/drink
Ticketmaster-2-for-1 tickets on select shows with AARP membership
Senior Discounts Club – This free online community shares updated exclusive deals for seniors daily. They send out a newsletter packed with coupons just for the 55+ crowd. Join the Senior Discounts Club and check out their online forums, too.