Golden Perks

Old age has its many downsides, but there are a few perks when you hit the “Golden Oldies” era.

The first time I remember one applying to me was years ago when I stopped by Taco Bell to pick up a quick lunch. The counter guy asked if I wanted a drink and when I declined, with a wink and a smile he said, “They’re free for seniors.” I was about 55 at the time, so I went home with a burrito and a bruised ego.

There are the numerous and well known small ones: 5 PM early bird dinner specials, discount movie tickets, etc. Those two, at least, mean little to me as I tend to eat dinner around 8:00, and would rather watch movies at home as there’s no talkative audience, better snacks, and the all important ability to hit “pause” for senior bathroom breaks.

But the big ticket items can be significant, for instance when it comes to taxes. Those 65 and older get a bigger standard deduction on their federal income tax—an extra $2000 in 2025.  And here in Texas, there are also generous breaks on property taxes. Owners 65 and older get a larger homestead exemption. And the big chunk of taxes going to the school district freeze at the amount they were when the taxpayer turned 65.

The greatest senior perks of all, of course, are Medicare and Social Security. I know we, to some extent at least, paid in advance for these with taxes over the years. But to me they still seem like magical gifts that have floated down into our laps from heaven.

A nice thing about most golden perks is you don’t even have to ask for them. Either the entity bestowing them knows from its data how old you are, or in a face-to-face encounter, your senior status is all too obvious. (Funny how in the latter situation I’m never asked to show my ID.)

But there are a few times when, if you want the benefit, you must actively play the “old guy” card. During our recent road trip to California, as we were entering L.A., the freeways lived up to their dreaded reputation. I was driving and dutifully listening to the GPS robot as she told me in her sweet tones where to go. When she said to get in the far left hand lane, I did—only to find myself trapped for the next few miles in the carpool lane.

A week after arriving home, I received a notice in the mail from the CA toll authority imposing a fine for my transgression. The space for a defense was limited to 200 characters so I had to choose wisely. I made my soon-to-be 73 years of age a centerpiece, and shortly thereafter received notice that I was forgiven and the fine waived.

My most memorable golden perk, though, happened a few months ago and involved no monetary benefit at all. While shopping at our neighborhood HEB grocery, I made a stop in the men’s room. It was very busy that day and there was a short line in front of the urinals. When it was the turn of the fellow in front of me, who must’ve been in his 30s or 40s, he hesitated, turned and looked me over for a couple of seconds, and then with a sweep of his hand, said, “No, you go ahead.”

So, for my fellow HDers of a certain age, what are your favorite, or perhaps just most memorable, “golden perks”?