65?  60?  55?  50?  The answer is, it varies by where you are and who you are talking to.  Some places consider that any person fifty years of age or older is a Senior Citizen.  It could best be summed up by a restaurateur who said that if a person is nervy enough to ask for a Senior Citizen discount, Give it to him!

It is the responsibility of the Senior Citizen to ask for the discount.  Most establishments are considering their bottom line and will not offer a discount unless asked.  Restaurants are an exception to this and if you look old enough to be a Senior Citizen, many will routinely apply the discount without being asked. 

Senior Citizens should routinely ask for the discount when making purchases.  If you are told that no discount is offered, please make the purchase.  But make a note of the price, and the next time shop at a competitor, compare prices and ask before purchasing if there is a Senior Citizen discount.  Be prepared to walk out of the store.  In many cases, stores without a discount have better prices than those with discounts.

At present, there are over a hundred million Senior Citizens in America and this amount is growing every year.  Many firms realize this and have changed their marketing techniques to attract Senior Citizens.

Many firms still think of Senior Citizens as being Grandpa and Grandma on fixed income with no money for purchases.  The smart firms realize that Grandpa and Grandma on fixed income still have more disposable income than that young couple with a house payment, one or two car payments, credit card debt, and a couple, three children to raise.

So, if you are fifty years or older, don’t be afraid to ask for that “Senior Citizen” discount.  You are eligible for it unless told otherwise.