Some say free things are not valued properly. The truth is people don’t value things that don’t have a value. The free part is always appreciated, especially when you’ve paid your entire life for everything. The least you can receive when you’re in retirement is free stuff, what with the finances, budget and priorities changing altogether.
The good thing in retirement is that seniors can benefit from a lot of great deals and free things, many they don’t even know about. From college classes to having dinner at your favorite restaurant or visiting your favorite national park, here are 13 things seniors can get for free.

Free things for seniors:
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Entry to National Parks
There are around 425 national parks in the United States, managed by the National Park Service, most of them with entrance fees. Luckily, veteran and seniors aged 62 and older receive a discounted lifetime pass to visit the parks whenever they want (should they be open, of course).
Therefore, if you like taking walks and admiring landscapes, this is a very nice and cheap opportunity to satisfy your need for outdoor activities. In some cases, you can even get in for free, as many parks have free entrance for seniors.
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Dental care
Dental care is an important component of health, particularly as we get older. To add insult to injury, the majority of dental care costs, including extractions, dentures, fillings and the like are not even covered by Original Medicare. And these don’t exactly come cheap.
If you’re on a tight budget and in dire need of dental care, there is hope. A group of volunteer dentists and laboratories, under the name of Dental Lifeline, provide free and complex dental services to seniors with particular problems. Check them out and see if you fit any of the categories of people and services they provide for free.
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Education and classes
Older adults who want to pursue certain academic interests can do it for free or for lower fees at many local universities. The classes and fees differ from state to state so make sure you check the AARP for academic institutions that offer discounted or free options in your state.
Imagine being able to attend all sorts of interesting classes and not pay a dime?
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Tax preparation
Many retirees might not know it, but they can get all sorts of tax deductions and credits. Seniors aged 65 and more who do not itemize, can get a higher standard deduction compared to their younger counterparts.
More than that, they can receive assistance to prepare for all these tax deductions via the Tax-Aide program provided by AARP, free of charge. It is a program designed for seniors aged 50 and more and offers in-person or online support.
Additionally, there’s also a program created by the IRS for older adults, called Free File, which helps them file returns, no fee required.
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Coffee
Whether you just like coffee for its marvelous aroma or you need it to be able to function throughout the day, just know that you can get your cup of Joe for free. For instance, Peet’s Coffee Rewards — called Peetnik Rewards allows senior customers to gain points and then trade them for free beverages. Dunkin Rewards and Starbucks Rewards operates on a similar system, with the latter including free coffee for your birthday.
The enrollment in all these rewards programs is free, so the choice is yours!
Speaking of freebies, check out how to Fill Your Pantry for $0! Here Are 5 Genius Tips You Can’t Miss!
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Restaurants
Apart from rewards programs at coffeeshops, there are numerous restaurants that offer free or discounted meals for seniors aged 60 and more. For instance, at Applebee’s and Golden Corral, older adults can benefit from 10 or 15 percent discount. AARP membership also comes with a wide array of deals and discounts for popular restaurants including Auntie Anne’s, Carraba’s Italian Grill, and Outback Steakhouse.
Why not enjoy your golden years by inserting a free or reduced dinner in your weekly schedule?

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Medicare Part A
If you’ve been in the workforce long enough and contributed to Medicare, then, it’s time you reap the benefits. Older adults age 65 and older can benefit from free services covered by Medicare Part A, including:
- Inpatient hospital care
- Care in a skilled nursing facility
- Hospice care
- Home health care
- Nursing home care
To have a clear understanding of what Medicare Part A covers, check the official Medicare website. With the help of the search bar, you can clearly identify all the covered items, tests and services.
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Medical appointments and wellness exams
Medicare was created to help people receive the needed medical services without paying too much for them, or not at all. Free Medicare services include:
- Annual wellness visits
- Flu shots
- Various vaccines
- Various screenings
In addition, Medicare beneficiaries can benefit from prescription discount cards to pay less for medication and treatment and improve their health and, consequently, quality of life.
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Gym memberships
Going to the gym doesn’t have to be a habit only young people have. On the contrary, as we age, it’s important to stay in shape and maximize our health by being active and, why not, hitting the gym. The added bonus is that many fitness centers provide discounts or even free memberships to seniors aged 65 and more via health insurance.
In addition, certain Medicare Advantage plans offer the option of SilverSneakers membership, which allows older adults to use over 15,000 gym and fitness center locations across the United States. Whether they’re at home or on a trip to another state, they can hit the gym free of charge.
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Phones and internet
If you’re on a low income, then you should know that many government programs can help you out. Should you need a phone, internet service or computers, all you need to do is apply to one of these programs and if quality, you get your desired item/service for free.
If you are eligible for an assistance program, it might also include:
- Lifeline
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
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Public transit
Unfortunately, aging comes with various mobility issues for most seniors. Whether it’s vision loss, muscle weakness, joint problems etc., driving on your own might become an impossible task.
Luckily, many states offer discounted transport services and some even provide free rides. For example, in Minneapolis, seniors aged 65 and older have reduced metro transit cards while in Pennsylvania, seniors can use public transport for free, courtesy of the Senior Free Ride Program. Seniors only require senior citizen ID card or Medicare card and hop in!
In Mississippi, Coast Transit Authority provides transit services to seniors who need to get to doctor visits, grocery stores or senior centers.
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Hearing aids
According to John Hopkins Medicine, more than 27 million people in the United States have hearing problems. Unfortunately, around 14 percent use hearing devices while the remaining percentage suffer in silence (literally) due to the expensive costs of hearing aids. Such a device costs around $2,300, an amount which can affect anyone’s budget, let alone a retiree on a fixed budget.
To make sure you find complete information on discounted or free services related to hearing aids, check out:
- The National Hearing Aid Project
- Medicaid and the Veterans Administration
Takeaway
As we are getting older, it’s essential that we make the most of all the deals and discounts provided by state or private institutions. Whether you need help in finding hearing aid, preparing your taxes right or just having a night out to relax, there are lots of available options. You only need to look in the right place. And don’t hesitate to ask whenever you purchase something. You might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
3 Responses
The above was very informative.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover many things we need as we age. Makes no sense since for the most part people don’t get Medicare till we are 65 when we need the items they don’t cover. Prescriptions are the worst – very expensive & no help!
Thanks. I learned a couple of new things!!