Yesterday, I reached a milestone. I am finally eligible for Medicare and every senior discount offered. Sure, I was eligible for many senior discounts before, but not all of them. That got me thinking: When did senior discounts occur? Which ones are tied to eligibility in AARP versus when you reach other milestone ages like 55, 60, and 62? Why the variance? So, of course, I did some research. Apologies to those who live across the pond because the retirement age is dependent on the country you live in, and I only researched the US. Here’s what I learned.
- Companies began offering senior discounts in the 1960s as a means to build brand loyalty (seniors love their favorite brands) and because there was a perception that senior folks were poor, so they also used it as positive public relations.
- AARP was incorporated on July 1st, 1958, but probably gained more traction at the 1964 World’s Fair, which coincided around the time companies began giving discounts. At first, the membership age was 55, but in 1984 that was reduced to 50. It is unclear why the initial age of 55 was established since AARP was first developed by two retired teachers who began their quest to assist retired teachers by establishing a retirement home in 1954 for teachers, then affordable health insurance for those aged 65 and older (which was quite a challenge-not a group that was very attractive to insurance companies). Obviously, there was a great need, and their organization expanded to include everyone, not just teachers.
- The 1935 Social Security Act initially established the official retirement age as 65, but in 1956 women were allowed to elect early retirement benefits at 62 (probably one of the few times women had an advantage with US laws).
- The 1978 Retirement Security Act allowed individuals to withdraw contributions from their pre-tax retirement plans at age 59 &1/2. In 2004, the Rule of 55 was born. This is an IRS policy allows workers to make early withdrawals from their employer-sponsored retirement accounts without penalty if they are 55 or older and left their job in the same year or later. The rule applies to 401(k)s and 403(b)s, but not IRAs.
- Most senior discounts begin prior to age 65, with a fair amount tied to AARP membership. However, what I have learned is that travel often doesn’t discount until age 65, with most airlines offering discounts starting at that age. Recently, I discovered that the ferry system in Washington state offers a 65 and older discount. With our trip to the Anacortes Arts Festival last weekend, I just missed this by a few days! I won’t list all the places with senior discounts because there are far too many, but here are some of the better articles on this: https://www.seniorliving.org/finance/senior-discounts/, https://www.seniorhelpers.com/resources/blogs/top-discounts-for-seniors-in-the-us-in-2024/, https://www.dealnews.com/features/discounts/senior-discounts/ I am sure with a quick internet search you can find even more sites to peruse.
While most of my books have main characters in various age groups below retirement age, I do have one book, Georgetown Glen with two main characters in the 60+ category. It is sad to say that the data shows that books with characters in their 20s, 30s, and occasionally in their 40s sell a little better than books with mature women 50 and older. Thus, even Georgetown Glen contains two other main characters considerably younger. But perhaps I should get points for a book about establishing a lesbian retirement community. Since I see posts asking for books with mature characters from time to time, perhaps the current acceptable marketability age will change! Feel free to check out any of my books where you are sure to find characters of all ages, even if the main characters are mostly under 50. I do have some adorable grandmothers as important side characters.
The Final Chapter in the original Organization series
Coming Soon…Love Sins, the final Book in The Next Generation Series…Catch up with Book 1 and 2
Where it all began….
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Annette Mori 
Thank you for the background information on social security and Medicare. It was rather interesting. I do have Georgetown Glen on my tbr list but plan to read The Others first for the IHS Challenge. Also wanted to mention that the IHS newsletter with their list of over 6000 books does give specific age groups like 40+ and 50+. Being retired I enjoy reading about characters closer in age to me. Thanks again.
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Yes…more and more books are featuring mature women…yeah for that! I agree, I’d like to see more romances with mature women
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