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Savvy Senior:
Senior Discounts
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you recommend a resource that lists the different discounts that are available to seniors today? I just turned 60 and live on a pretty tight budget and can use all the help I can get.
Bargain Hunting Betty

Dear Betty,
One of the advantages of growing older these days is the many discounts that are available to seniors. While there's no one single master list of businesses that provide senior discounts, there are a variety of resources that can help you hunt. Here's what you should know.

Ask!

The first thing to know is that not all businesses advertise it, but many give senior discounts just for the asking - so don't be embarrassed to ask. Also, keep in mind that some discounts are available as soon as you turn 50, while others may not kick in until you turn 55, 60, 62 or 65. Here are some resources, organizations and tips that can help you get started.

SeniorDiscounts.com

This free online service offers the largest and best database of senior discounts nationwide. You'll find discounts on a huge variety of products and services like airlines, car rentals, travel, recreation, local transportation, shopping, restaurants, hotels, state and national parks, medical services, pharmacies, museums, and much more. SeniorDiscounts.com allows you to search for discounts by the city, state, or zip code and by the category you're interested in. They also offer a free weekly e-mail newsletter and a new Senior Discounts Card program and guide book (for $24) available to people age 55 and older. Visit www.seniordiscounts.com or call 800-372-7513.

AARP

You probably already know that AARP provides various discounts to their members, age 50 and over. For a listing of their discounts and services, visit www.aarp.org/benefits or call 888-687-2277. Annual AARP membership fee is $12.50.

NAFRE

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association offers its members discounts on moving services, auto rentals, insurance, hotel chains, travel services and more. Membership is available to current, former or retired federal employees and spouses. Membership fees vary but typically cost under $40 per year. Visit www.narfe.org or call 800-627-3394.

USA Next

A conservative organization that offers members of all ages, discounts on everything from prescription drugs to airline tickets. Basic membership fee $12.50 per year. Visit www.usanext.org.

Local Discounts

Some states and local community organizations may offer discounted products and services to their older residents. Call your Area Agency on Aging to find out what's available. To get your local number call 800-677-1116.

BenefitsCheckUp

While this isn't a senior discount resource, BenefitsCheckUp is a great service that can help millions of older Americans (age 55 and over) quickly and easily find benefits they may qualify for. Benefits ranging from health care coverage and discounts on prescription drugs to supplemental income to help pay utility bills. Unfortunately, many people who are eligible for these benefits don't receive them because they either aren't aware of the programs or they don't know how to apply.

BenefitsCheckUp provides a free online service (www.benefitscheckup.org) that contains information on more than 1,300 federal, state and local programs (both public and private) in all 50 states. In addition to identifying the different programs, they also provide a detailed description of the programs, local contacts that can assist you and the materials you need to apply.

Useful Books

A good book for senior discount hunters is Joan Rattner Heilman's 2005-2006 "Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50." In its 16th edition, this book lists dozens of discounts, perks and privileges on things like airline travel, hotels, rental cars, buses and trains, cruises, national and state parks and more. Another handy resource is Linda Bowman's second edition, "Free Stuff & Good Deals for Folks Over 50." Both books are available online and in bookstores nationwide.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.