When are we considered "seniors"? (55, move, social security)

[Garethe]

I didn't know where to place this, but the other day at Old Country Buffet the clerk insisted I take the "senior discount" and I am not a senior by my definition, but am I according to someone elses? Maybe I really did look like a senior to her, she couldn't of been much older than 19.

BTW, I was attempting to use a coupon, but the senior rate saved me another 35 cents and she was so excited about it that my attempts at explaining my not being a senior went in one ear and out the other.

Of course it generated much discussion at the table with majority opinion being "when your old enough to join aarp", but when is that?

[movinon]

That would be at 50. But different organizations, restaurants, movie theatres, etc., seem to all have their own definitions. It can be worth asking sometimes. One of my favorite stores, for example, has senior discount day on Tuesday and a senior there is 55. Our local movie theatre is 62. And on and on.

[hotzcatz]

Nobody seems to have a set age which makes it real confusing. Those age elitists can't keep me away from senior coffee at McD's anymore, but I still don't rate at a lot of other places.

[oldsoldier1976]

It is a question that gets different replies. The AARP will allow you to get in at age 50. Del Webb makes you wait until 55 to buy into one of their houses. The army tells me I cannot go passed 60 and will have to get out (special permission for enlisted to age 62, warrant officers get to stay to 62 and generals are forever).

I am getting close to what I will say is senior. Give me 5 more years then watch out Jack Nicholas and move over there will be a new Senior PGA champ (my mind only)

[mathjak107]

i am a senior whenever a discount is involved.

[TreeBeard]

When I was 20 I though it was 30. When I was 30 I thought it was 40 and now that I am in my 50s, I think it is when I am 80!

[Escort Rider]

I'll go with 62. That's the age that the main Los Angeles area art house chain gives discounts for movie tickets and also the earliest age at which we can draw Social Security retirement benefits.

But yes, I agree that there is no one single correct answer.

[luvmyhoss]

Depends on the place. 50, 55, 60, 62 and 65.
Very confusing.

[in_newengland]

I think I'd go with 62 for the same reason as ER--it's the earliest we can get social security.

The establishments that let people in at age 50 or 55 have a motive. It's so that they can get more customers.

[Miss Blue]

Arp told me I was a senior at 50 when they first offered me a calculator if I signed on. I am a whole lot older now and haven't joined AARP, and that big old calculator was discarded years ago. I imagine one can consider themselves Srs with the first SS check.