Getting older brings more than just wisdom and experience, Sis; it also brings fantastic perks! Yes, once you hit the fabulous 5-0, your age can unlock exclusive freebies, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year. Imagine keeping $300 in your pocket on tax prep, $180 on vitamins and $400 on dental X-rays and cleanings — and if grad school is on your vision board, your age could slash thousands off your tuition bill!
Reap the benefits of every birthday you’ve celebrated. From health and wellness resources to transportation, these goodies will help you live well, spend less and enjoy the journey more — because your fifties aren’t just fierce and fabulous, they can also be free!
Free tax prep. Get free help with your taxes through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Services include tax preparation by an IRS-certified volunteer or coaching so you can prepare them yourself. Services are available to anyone 50 and older, regardless of AARP membership status. Your local library may also offer patrons free tax preparation.
Free museum admission. Some museums and cultural institutions offer free admission days based on age, so check with the ones in your area. For example, entrance to the Boise Museum of Art is free to museum-goers 62 and older on the third Wednesday of every month. Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. are free to all patrons regardless of age. Bank of America cardholders can visit participating museums for free the first full weekend of every month through the Museums on Us program. Your local public library is also an excellent resource for free museum passes.
Free vitamins. You can get free vitamins formulated for mature adults at select pharmacies nationwide. Good Neighbor Pharmacy’s Free Vitamin Program provides a 30-day supply of vitamins for adults, mature adults and children.
Free dental care. The Dental Lifeline Network provides complimentary comprehensive dental care to adults 65 and over or younger adults who are permanently disabled or need medically necessary dental care through a national network of volunteer dentists and labs.
Free health screenings. Project Health offers complimentary osteoporosis and cognitive tests to customers 55 and older at participating CVS stores and mobile units. Additional health services are also available, including smoking cessation and blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings.
Free legal aid. Many national organizations offer free legal assistance to older adults, including Legal Services Corporation, Eldercare Locator and the American Bar Association. AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) provides free legal and social work services to residents 55 and older in Washington, D.C.
Free eye care. The EyeCare America program, run by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, matches adults 65 and older with volunteer ophthalmologists who provide medical eye exams and follow-up care for some diagnosed conditions at no cost. The program also offers free exams to eligible and uninsured patients at risk for glaucoma. The VSP Vision Eyes of Hope program also runs free mobile vision clinics in partnership with local charities and participating doctors.
Free college courses. You can take classes and even earn a degree for free at area colleges and universities. For example, California residents 60 and older can attend classes tuition-free at any of California State University’s 23 campuses. You can pursue a graduate degree tuition-free at the University of Delaware if you’re 60 or older. Terms and offerings vary by state and college; some provide free courses starting at age 50. Find free college courses in your state.
Free food and beverages. While many restaurants offer discounts (more on that below), some reward your life experience with free items. For example, Chick-fil-A diners 55 and older may enjoy a free small drink at some locations, while Dunkin’ Donuts customers may score a free donut, and Wendy’s patrons may get a free small drink. These restaurants are often independently operated, so offerings will vary.
Free public transportation. Check with your town, county or state for age-friendly transportation services; many areas offer free ride programs or similar initiatives. For example, adults 65 and older ride for free on Philadelphia’s SEPTA transit and Regional Rail routes within Pennsylvania. The Coast Transit Authority in Harrison County, Mississippi, runs a free curb-to-curb service for eligible trips, and the City of Los Angeles offers multiple programs to eligible adults, including a complimentary taxi service program and a reimbursement program for designated caregivers.
AARP (Alan Karchmer; Getty Images, 2)
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