Sure, in your heart, you’re only as old as you feel. But the U.S. government, companies, retiree associations, and retailers are a bit blunter in whom they consider a “senior citizen.” Age 65 is still the standard senior-citizen threshold for Medicare, but the tipping-point age elsewhere can vary from 38 to 80. So how old do you really have to be to be a senior citizen? Let’s consider the answer from several organizations.
U.S. Census Bureau: 37.8 and 65
The median age of the U.S. population is 37.8. Half of Americans are below that age; half are above. So, once you reach 38 years old, you’re statistically on the “senior” side of the population.
According to 2020 census data, 16.9 percent of the nation's population is over 65. That's expected to climb over the next few decades as America gets older. It's expected that the 65 and over population will nearly double in size, reaching 95 million people by 2060, nearly a quarter of the entire population.
This aging population is what’s causing lawmakers and others to reassess and bump back the “senior citizen” line.
AARP and Senior Associations: 50
You know you’re in the sights of the AARP as soon as you reach 50 and start getting membership appeals in the mail. You may not be a “retired person,” but you can still join AARP to start receiving the discounts and benefits the organization offers.
Other senior associations, such as the American Seniors Association and the Association of Mature American Citizens, also let you sign up at age 50.
Senior Discounts: 55, 60, 62, 65
Many older people complain about the “senior citizen” label, saying they don’t feel old. However, here’s the good news: Those few extra years can pay off in big savings with senior discounts.
A few senior discounts start as early as age 50, especially with an AARP card. But the senior savings really kick in at ages 55 and 60, with a few businesses and organizations making you wait until 62 or 65.
Senior Housing: 55 and 62
The federal government’s Housing for Older Persons Act is the source of 55+ and 62+ senior housing, including senior apartments, independent living, and retirement communities. This act sets aside a special status for housing communities in which the majority of residents are age 55 or older or all the residents are age 62 or older.
Retirement Plans: 59½ and 70½
The IRS has an odd obsession with half years. With some exceptions, if you tap a pension plan, 401k, or IRA before age 59½, you may have to pay a 10% early withdrawal penalty tax. After 59½, you can withdraw from retirement plans without a penalty if you are not working. If you are employed, check with your plan holder on specific rules. Generally, you must start receiving payouts the year you hit 70½.
Driver Licenses: 64-80
After55.com recently looked into the extra scrutiny that states place on older drivers when it comes time to renew a license. Among major retirement states, special policies for senior drivers kicked in as young as age 64 in Georgia to age 80 in Florida. Most of the states require a vision test for those older drivers.
Medicare: 65
You can enroll in the federal health insurance program at age 65. You can sign up even if you’re not receiving Social Security yet. As noted below, that’s good since the Social Security age has become a moving target.
Social Security: 65, 66, and 67
Uncle Sam is your most important judge, of course. In the United States, past generations were considered to have reached full retirement age at 65. In recent years, however, legislation has moved the age requirement for full benefits from 65 to 67. The reasons cited: older people are healthier and average life expectancy is increasing, as noted above by the Census Bureau.
The Social Security Administration still considers 65 to be full retirement age if you were born in 1937 or earlier. But if you were born in 1938 or later, that gradually rises. If you were born in 1943 to 1954, for instance, your retirement age is 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, sorry, your full retirement age is now 67. (Note: You can still start withdrawing as early as age 62 but at a reduced rate.)
