With Age Comes Privilege: NYS Summer Discounts for Seniors

Kathy Horowitz co-facilitates a monthly women’s writer’s group at the Life Center in Huntington. Her work has appeared in The Long Islander, Long Island Woman, Calyx, Blue Unicorn, and Seventh Quarry. Kathy offers freelance writing, editing, and proofreading services.
(kahorowitz@gmail.com) • www.kathyhorowitz.com.  

    After decades of working hard and raising children, I’ve learned that there are many well-deserved benefits in becoming of “senior” age.  Many benefits begin age 55. For example, if you’re 62 you can go to Long Island beaches for free during the week, but pay a senior rate on weekends. Ferrying across Long Island Sound to Bridgeport gives a $3 discount for passengers 60 and older.
    A senior’s bible should be a membership to AARP. For $16 per year (or less if you sign up for multiple years), one can join at age 50 although most benefits begin at 55. Benefits include: healthcare and Medicare eligible programs; pet insurance plans; vehicle, life, property and business programs; health and wellness deals; travel and car rental offers. Also, discounts to hotels and resorts, as well as rail and tours; travel planning; restaurants and more. Sign up for email alerts and articles on discounts for travel, car rentals, hotels, medications, fraud alerts, investing your hard-earned money and much more. Their magazine articles are priceless with sound ideas and information: how to stop those annoying robo calls and how to save money on 
almost any matter that applies to senior and senior living. Go to www.aarp.org for more information.
    The New York State Golden Park Program allows residents 62 or above to obtain free vehicle access to most state parks, boat launch sites and arboretums, as well as discounts to state historic sites and state-operated golf courses on weekdays (except holidays). A valid NYS driver’s license is required. For more information visit https://parks.ny.gov/admission/golden-park-program.aspx.
    The America the Beautiful Senior Pass allows residents 62 and above a lifetime entrance to national parks, national monuments, national historic sites, national wildlife refuge and more for $80. (An annual pass is available for $20.) Visit the U.S. National Park Service website for more information. Amtrak also offers a 10% discount for seniors 65 and older on most rail fares (www.amtrak.com/seniors-discount).
    One of my favorite perks is the 5% senior discount at Dunkin’ Donuts, though offers may vary at each 
franchise. Another one I recently learned about is the 15% discount to Kohl’s on Wednesdays for those 55 and older.
    There are many perks offered to seniors. Do your research and be sure to take advantage of those discounts. Start planning your next adventure and enjoy the rest of your summer at a great price.   

   For those of you who are of “senior” age, put away those savings into a vacation fund and you’ll be surprised at how it’ll grow within a few months. Wishing you all a safe and fun summer!