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According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 55 million people over the age of 65 in the U.S.[1]
While many people have come to equate age 65 with the term “senior citizen,” it’s a distinction worth exploring—or perhaps debating. For some, it could simply mean reaching retirement age. Meanwhile, others may see becoming a senior citizen as a period of life defined by exploring new interests, spending more time with loved ones or rediscovering old passions. Regardless, there are specific milestones that signify you’ve reached that special age.
Read on to explore various landmarks, benefits and perks available to a person in their golden years—and at what age they’re up for grabs.
What Does It Mean to Be a Senior Citizen?
Age-based, generational labels haven’t proven helpful in research and social contexts. In fact, researchers agree that it’s important to manage perceptions of people of different ages and avoid ageist stereotypes.
With that said, there are several perspectives to consider regarding when or how someone attains senior citizen status, says Jeanette Leardi, an Oregon-based social gerontologist and community educator.
One can approach the concept of senior citizenship by accounting for a person’s chronological age, or biological age. They can also assess functional age, which is based on assumptions of what people can and should be able to do to take care of themselves effectively at any point in their lives, according to Leardi.
Meanwhile, life stage age is based on achieving various milestones, such as graduation, marriage, parenthood and retirement. Finally, policy age is determined by when a person qualifies for certain programs, such as Medicare (age 65) and Social Security (age 62), says Leardi.
Another consideration is to reclaim and reframe the term “senior” (which fell out of favor in recent years) as a good thing, she explains. If we can position aging and seniority in a more positive light, each of these milestones may be better received—and perhaps even anticipated—by all, she says.
Defining Moments and Milestones for Senior Citizens
Senior citizen status can be defined by certain milestones, several of which are listed below.
Accessing Medicare Benefits
Three months before a person turns 65, they can enroll in Medicare for the first time. Many are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A while one can opt to enroll in Medicare Part B. Once a person is enrolled in both of these components of Medicare, they can also decide whether they want to explore Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement options for additional coverage.
Social Security Eligibility
Those turning 62 who meet the eligibility criteria can start receiving Social Security benefits.
To qualify for Social Security benefits, enrollees must have accrued at least 40 work credits, which are earned by working and paying taxes into Social Security during one’s period of employment. A maximum of four credits can be earned per year.
Receiving Senior Discounts
There are a variety of places where older adults can receive discounts simply due to their age. For instance, AARP offers members discounts on anything from eyewear to cell phone plans to meals at Outback Steakhouse.
Additionally, many restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, cruise lines and phone companies offer senior discounts directly. Goodwill, Kohl’s and Walgreens offer noteworthy discounts, too.
Reaching Retirement
The average retirement age in the U.S. is now 61, according to Gallup’s 2022 Economy and Personal Finance survey.[2] However, various circumstances may force some people to stop working earlier or later than planned, such as relocation, caregiving responsibilities, needing care or helping to raise a grandchild.
Recent research from Edward Jones shares that 40% of U.S. financial advisors’ retired clients were forced into retirement.
Rethinking Age Stereotypes and Continuing to Make a Difference
The appearances of “grandfluencers” on TikTok and concept of “grandternity leave” as a new employee benefit illustrate senior citizenship in an appealing way. Meanwhile, research on grandparenting in Innovation In Aging notes that 50% of grandparents financially support younger family members, and 39% of grandparents provide care for their grandchildren, reaffirming the indispensable impact older adults have on their families.[3]
Older adults have innumerable opportunities to make a profound impact on their communities, too, whether by volunteering, sharing expertise or getting involved with foster care.
The Many Benefits of Being a Senior Citizen
Aging comes with many benefits. Leardi highlights the following broader emotional benefits worth considering:
- One learns how to optimize their to-dos, working smarter rather than harder.
- One is better able to regulate their emotions.
- After surviving a number of setbacks, one tends to feel happier and no longer sweat the small stuff.
The greatest achievement for older adults, according to Leardi, is to remain autonomous and engaged in life despite the pressures of systemic ageism and any resulting marginalization. Many tend to fear their later years because society often doesn’t celebrate achieving elderhood as an accomplishment. Imagine how people of all ages, including children, would anticipate getting older if ceremonies and rituals honoring this stage of life existed, she adds. There are plenty of tangible milestones worth acknowledging and sharing.
