The age considered as a senior citizen varies depending on context, but the most widely recognized age in the United States and many other countries is 65 years old. This age aligns with eligibility for Medicare and many government senior benefits, and is traditionally seen as the standard retirement age
. However, there are variations depending on specific benefits and organizations:
- 55 years old : Some businesses and retailers offer senior discounts starting at age 55
- 62 years old : This is the earliest age to claim Social Security retirement benefits and access certain senior programs like the National Park Service Senior Pass and HUD housing assistance. Some states and legal definitions, such as in California, also recognize 62 as the senior citizen age
- In general, the term "senior citizen" can start anywhere from 55 to 65 , depending on the benefit or service in question
Internationally, the age varies as well, often ranging from 60 to 65 depending on the country
Summary:
- Most common official age : 65 years old
- Early senior discounts and benefits : 55 or 62 years old
- Legal definitions vary by state and program
Thus, while 65 is the standard benchmark for senior citizenship, many people begin to be considered seniors for various benefits starting as early as 55 or 62 years old in the U.S.
