Best Perks for Seniors in All 50 States

 Golden Opportunities

There are financial benefits to getting older. Supermarkets, drugstores, restaurant chains, and retail outlets offer senior discounts. And it doesn't stop there. All 50 states give seniors unique opportunities to save money on taxes, transportation — which you should check in your specific city or town whether there's a state-level break — and recreational activities.

Related: Most and the Least Tax-Friendly States for Retirees

                                                                                                                                                                      

     Sean Pavone/shutterstock

Alabama

• No state income tax on Social Security or payments from defined-benefit plans

• Tuition waivers at community colleges (60 and older)

• No hunting or fishing license required (65 and older)

• 15% discounts on yearly passes to state parks (62 and older)

Related: Best Colleges for Seniors in Every State

                                                                                                                                                                      

Joy Prescott/Shutterstock

Alaska

• No state income tax

• No state sales tax

• No state income tax on Social Security

• Municipal exemptions for the first $150,000 in property value (homeowners 65 and older)

• Tuition waivers at University of Alaska locations when class space is available

• No sales tax on electricity, water, sewer, or food in most towns

• Free hunting, sport fishing, or trapping and no stamp required to hunt waterfowl or fish for king salmon (60 and older)

• Fee waivers for car registration

• Discounted passage on intra-Alaska ferry sailings

                                                                                                                                                                      

toos/istockphoto

Arizona

• No tax on Social Security income

• 50% of tuition waived at Maricopa Community Colleges (65 and older)

• There are free hunting and fishing licenses for people 70 or older who have been residents for the past 25 consecutive years

• Reduced fares on public transit in Yuma County, Tucson, and Phoenix, among other areas; reduced fares on shuttles, taxis, or Dial-a-Ride in some areas

                                                                                                                                                                      

Chris Boswell/istockphoto

Arkansas

• No tax on Social Security benefits or the first $6,000 of retirement income

• Tuition waivers at public colleges and universities (60 and older) when class space is available 

• Transportation services are as cheap as 65 cents a ride for people who cannot drive, including those in wheelchairs.

• Deeply discounted lifetime hunting and fishing licenses (65 and older)

• Discounts at state parks (62 and older)

                                                                                                                                                                      

tupungato/istockphoto

California

• No state income tax on Social Security

• Tuition waiver and lower campus fees at California State University facilities (60 and older)

• Reduced price for lifetime hunting and fishing licenses (for hunting, 62 and older; for fishing, 65-plus and low-income)

• Senior discounts for almost all public transit systems (eligibility ages vary)

• $1 discount on parking and $2 discount on camping at 280 state parks (62 and older); no charge for low-income seniors with a $5 Golden Bear Pass at state parks where vehicle fees are collected

Related: The Best of California on a Budget

                                                                                                                                                                      

Paul Knowles/Shutterstock

Colorado

• No state taxes on Social Security and pension income up to $20,000 (ages 55-64) and $24,000 (65 and older)

• Property tax exemption up to 50% of the first $200,000 of the value of a residence

• Colorado State University charges no tuition for 55-plus students if class space is available; the University of Colorado Denver lets people 60-plus enrol in up to two classes a semester when class space is open. Both are no-credit.

• Residents 65-plus are charged around $10 for fishing licenses and $30.50 for combination licenses that include hunting

• $70 Aspen Leaf Pass for unlimited access to state parks for one year (64 and older)

                                                                                                                                                                      

DenisTangneyJr/istockphoto

Connecticut

• No tax on Social Security income for single filers with federal adjusted gross income under $75,000 and joint filers with income up to $100,000

• Property tax relief up to $1,000 for single seniors with income under $37,600, and up to $1,250 for joint filers with income under $45,800

• Tuition is waived for those 62-plus classes at state colleges and universities, including degree programs.

• No fee for hunting and fishing licenses; access to unique trails, lands, and waters (65 and older)

• Reduced transit fares for anyone with a Medicare card

                                                                                                                                                                      

DenisTangneyJr/istockphoto

Delaware

• No tax on Social Security, and up to $12,500 of pension or retirement income (60 and older) is exempt.

• University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical and Community College let residents 60-plus take classes free, even for credit.

• No hunting or fishing licenses are needed (65 and older)

                                                                                                                                                                      

Sean Pavone/shutterstock

District of Columbia

• No tax on Social Security income

• Undergraduate course auditing for $50 at Georgetown University (65 and older)

• No fishing license is needed for residents 65-plus

• Discounted SmarTrip card for Washington Metro train and buses (65 and older)

                                                                                                                                                                      

SeanPavonePhoto/istockphoto

Florida

• No state income tax

• Homestead exemptions up to $50,000 (65 and older)

• Tuition waivers for non-credit classes at Florida state colleges (60 and older) when class space is available

• No hunting or fishing license is required.

• A 50% discount on base camping fees is available to residents (65 and older)

                                                                                                                                                                      

Steady Fly Productions/Shutterstock

Georgia

• No state tax on Social Security and up to $65,000 of retirement income per person (65 and older) and $35,000 (ages 62-64) per person

• Residents 62-plus may take classes for free at state colleges when class space is available.

• Low or no fee for hunting or fishing licenses depending on whether residents were born before or after June 30, 1952

• Half-price state park passes (62 and older)

Anusak Rojpeetipongsakorn/istockphoto

Hawaii

• No tax on Social Security or income derived from employer contributions to pension and profit-sharing programs

• Increased property-tax exemptions for senior homeowners and the lowest property tax rate (0.28%) of any state

• Residents 60-plus can attend state-funded education courses free for no credit.

• Fishing permits are $1 for seniors

Greg Browning/Shutterstock

Idaho

• No tax on Social Security income

• Property tax circuit-breaker discount of up to $1,320 for low-income seniors (65 and older)

• Transportation to medical appointments, senior centres, recreational locations, and adult day-care facilities through the Idaho Commission on Aging

• Reduced-cost licenses and tags for hunting and fishing (65 and older)

Jayce/istockphoto

Illinois

• No state tax on Social Security and income from federally qualified retirement plans, as well as capital gains on employer securities

• Free classes for credit at Illinois public institutions (65 and older)

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses

• Reduced-price camping (62 and older)

• Reduced license plate fees

f11photo/Shutterstock

Indiana

• No state tax on Social Security income

• Purdue University and Indiana University let retirees 60-plus take up to nine credits each semester for half-price

• $3 annual fishing permit or $ 17-lifetime fishing permit available (residents 64 and older)

• 50% off a yearly pass to state parks (residents 65 and older)

• Taxi discounts, wheelchair services, and rides to essential services in most counties

pabradyphoto/istockphoto

Iowa

• No state tax on Social Security income and exemption of other retirement income of up to $6,000 for individuals or $12,000 for joint filers (55 and older)

• No fee for hunting or fishing licenses for low-income seniors (65 and older)

Peeters/istockphoto

Kansas

• No tax on Social Security income with federal adjusted gross income under $75,000

• No tuition or fees for auditing courses at state institutions (residents 60-plus) when class space is available

• Transportation help from numerous senior centres throughout the state for those who cannot get around on their own

• Reduced vehicle fees at state parks

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses

traveler1116/istockphoto

Kentucky

• No state tax on Social Security benefits and a retirement income exemption up to $31,110 for most taxpayers

• Tuition and fee waiver at any state institution (residents 60 and older)

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses (65 and older)

GTS Productions/Shutterstock

Louisiana

• No state tax on Social Security income and up to $6,000 of pension and annuity income (65 and older)

• Free tuition and 50% off books for residents registered at state colleges or universities (55 and older)

• No state sales tax on food, drugs, wheelchairs, and prosthetic devices

• $5 hunting and fishing licenses

• Free admission to state parks (62 and older)

Related: 26 Best Cheap Or Free Things To Do In New Orleans

adamkaz/istockphoto

Maine

• No state tax on Social Security income and up to $10,000 of retirement income

• Free undergraduate classes for credit or audit through the University of Maine System (65 and older)

• Generally half off public transportation throughout Maine (starting at 60 in some places)

• $8 hunting and fishing license (70 and older)

• Free admission to state parks (for residents 65 and older)

HaizhanZheng/istockphoto

Maryland

• No state tax on Social Security income and most retirement income up to $29,900 (not from an IRA or Keogh plan)

• Tuition waivers at colleges or universities in the state system for retirees 60-plus

• Reduced fares on Maryland public transit (65 and older)

• $5 consolidated fishing license that allows fishing in inland, tidal, and coastal waters (65 and older)

• Free access to state parks with a $10 Golden Age pass (62 and older)

Jorge Salcedo/shutterstock

Massachusetts

• No state taxes on Social Security income

• Residents 60-plus can take at least three credits each semester for free at state-funded schools

• Reduced fares for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Administration services and other regional transportation systems

• Free hunting, fishing, and trapping permits (70 and older) with discounts starting at 65; free saltwater fishing permit (60 and older)

• $ 10-lifetime state park pass (residents 62 and older)

Davel5957/istockphoto

Michigan

• No state tax on Social Security and varying amounts of other retirement income

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses (65 and older)

Barnes/istockphoto

Minnesota

• People 62-plus get a total exemption on Social Security income if they have annual earnings under $85,000 (single filers) or $100,000 (joint filers)

• Tuition waived for courses at state colleges (residents 62 and older)

• Discounted lifetime hunting and fishing licenses (51 and older)

fstop123/istockphoto

Mississippi

• No tax on Social Security, pensions, annuities, and other retirement income

• No state sales tax on prescription drugs and healthcare services

• Reduced fishing, boat launch, and camping fees at state parks (65 and older)

• Senior lifetime hunting and freshwater fishing licenses are $5 for those 65-plus

JByard/istockphoto

Missouri

• Tuition exemption at state-supported institutions (residents 65 and older) for non-credit classes in which space is available

• Missouri residents ages 65 or older may fish and hunt (except deer and turkey) but not trap without a permit

• $2 discount on camping fees (65 and older)

Jerry Voss/Shutterstock

Montana

• No tax on Social Security with income less than $25,000, or $32,000 for married couples filing jointly; exemption for up to $4,370 of pension income

• Tuition waiver for the Montana University System (residents 65 and older)

• Free entrance and free or discounted camping at state parks

• Slight discounts on hunting and fishing licenses (residents 62 and older)

• Half-price land-use permits (residents 60 and older)

Lobo/istockphoto

Nebraska

• No tax on Social Security with adjusted joint income under $58,000, or $43,000 for individuals

• $5 annual hunting-fishing licenses (residents 69 and older)

Drazen_/istockphoto

Nevada

• No state income tax

• $30 annual permit for state park entry, camping, and boat launching (residents 65 and older)

• reduced-fee hunting/fishing license (residents 65 and older)

• Reduced fares on Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada buses (60 and older)

DenisTangneyJr/istockphoto

New Hampshire

• Taxes on dividend and interest income only

• Tuition is waived for a maximum of two for-credit courses per academic year at the University of New Hampshire (65 and older)

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses (residents 68 and older)

• Free state park admission (residents 65 and older)

Anees/istockphoto

New Jersey

• No state income tax on Social Security income; and hefty exemptions on other retirement income if total income is $100,000 or less (62 and older)

• Half fare on public transit throughout the state (62 and older)

• Reduced license fees for fishing and clamming (residents 65 to 69); no fees or stamps required (70 and older); reduced hunting license fees (residents 65 and older)

• Free entrance and parking at any park forest, beach, or historic site, and a $2 discount on camping (residents 62 and older)

Dean Fikar/shutterstock

New Mexico

• Tax exemption for up to $8,000 if income is less than $51,000 if filing jointly and $28,500 if filing individually (residents 65 and older); exemption of 100% of revenue (residents 100 and more senior)

• reduced-fee fishing licenses (65-69); free fishing licenses (residents 70 and older); some reduced-fee hunting licenses (65 and older)

• $100 annual camping pass (62 and older)

• Reduced fares and specials on Rio Metro buses and trains; free New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter express train rides on Wednesdays (62 and older)

william87/istockphoto

New York

• No state income tax on Social Security income; exemption for pension or annuity income up to $20,000 (after age 59.5)

• Tuition-free classes at City University of New York schools and many State University of New York schools, while a new state program now offers for-credit, tuition-free classes to students based on income

• Free weekday vehicle parking at state parks, boat launches, and arboretums, as well as reduced fees at golf courses, through New York's Golden Park program (residents 62 and older)

• $5 hunting and fishing licenses (70 and older)

Related: 30 Signs You're a New Yorker

Alex Potemkin/istockphoto

North Carolina

• No state income tax on Social Security

• Tuition and registration fees are waived for residents 65 years plus at community colleges. Audit options may be available at other schools.

• Steeply discounted lifetime hunting and fishing licenses

• Reduced entrance fees at state parks (62 and older)

Paul Schmidt/istockphoto

North Dakota

• Property tax abatement with income less than $42,000 and assets less than $500,000 (65 and older)

• $5 fishing license (65 and older)

• $28 annual vehicle pass for state parks (residents 65 and older)

Jason M. Hazard/istockphoto

Ohio

• No state income tax on Social Security benefits; annual tax credit for those receiving retirement income with adjusted gross income under $100,000

• Tuition-free classes (which do not earn credit) at state schools (residents 60 and older)

• Reduced fares on buses throughout the state with a Medicare card

• Reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses (66 and older); free licenses for anyone born before 1938

• Golden Buckeye discount for camping and lodges (60 and older)

Davel5957/istockphoto

Oklahoma

• No state income tax on Social Security and up to $10,000 of retirement benefits from private pensions

• Free auditing of classes at Oklahoma state colleges and universities (residents 65 and older),

• $25 lifetime combined hunting and fishing license (65 and older)

Jamie Hooper/Shutterstock

Oregon

• No state income tax on Social Security; exemption for some retirement income, depending on total income

• No tuition for auditing classes at Oregon State University and the University of Oregon (65 and older)

• Reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses (residents 70 and older)

DenisTangneyJr/istockphoto

Pennsylvania

• No tax on Social Security income or retirement benefits from employers or pension plans

• Free rides on some transit lines (65 and older) and steep discounts on others

• Reduced-cost annual or lifetime hunting/fur taker licenses (65 and older)

• Reduced fees at state park camping facilities and swimming pools (62 and older)

FatCamera/istockphoto

Rhode Island

• No state income tax for Social Security with adjusted gross income under $102,400 for married couples or $81,900 for individuals

• Residents 60-plus can get means-tested tuition waivers at the Community College of Rhode Island to attend classes if space is available.

• Free hunting and freshwater fishing licenses (residents 65 and older)

• Reduced fares on Rhode Island Public Transportation for low-income seniors (65 and older)

• Charleston, SC42 / 52

Sean Pavone/shutterstock

South Carolina

• No tax on Social Security income; $15,000 deduction on other retirement income (65 and older)

• Tuition-free classes at South Carolina state schools audited or for credit (60 and older)

• No jury duty

• Reduced fares on bus routes throughout the state

• $ 9-lifetime hunting and fishing license (residents 64 and older); free for seniors born before July 1, 1940.

Wollertz/shutterstock

South Dakota

• No state income tax

• 45% off tuition at public universities (residents 65 and older)

• $12 fishing licenses and $40 fishing and small-game hunting licenses (residents 65 and older)

Sean Pavone/shutterstock

Tennessee

• No state income tax on Social Security; only dividends and interest income are subject to state taxes; no state tax on income under $37,000, or $68,000 for joint filers (residents 65 and older)

• Tuition waived for for-credit courses at state colleges, universities, and community colleges (65 and older)

• Greatly reduced rates for annual and lifetime hunting and fishing licenses (residents 65 and older)

• 25% discount on standard camping fees in-season and 50% off-season, 10% off stays at state park lodges, and a 10% discount on restaurant meals (62 and older)

ferrantraite/istockphoto

Texas

• No state income tax

• Lone Star College offers students 65-plus tuition waivers for up to six credit hours each semester if they maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA

• Discounted public transit throughout the state (age of eligibility may vary)

• $7 hunting licenses (65 and older); $32 hunting/fishing/saltwater fishing/archery combo licenses

• Discounted state park fees (residents 65 and older)

Jay Krishnan/Shutterstock

Utah

• Partial tax credit for Social Security income; $450 retirement credit (retirees 65 and older)

• Residents 62-plus may enrol tuition-free at state institutions, though a quarterly registration fee is not exempted.

• Half of most public transportation (65 and older)

• Discounted hunting and fishing licenses (residents 65 and older)

• Reduced costs for state parks (62 and older)

adamkaz/istockphoto

Vermont

• Social Security exemptions for people with annual income below $34,000 (single filer) or $44,000 (married people filing jointly)

• Residents 65-plus may audit one Vermont State College system class each semester for free if there is space and take additional courses half-off

• Permanent hunting and fishing license carries a one-time fee of $60 for residents 66 and older. 

• $2 Green Mountain Passport for free entrance to state parks for life (62 and older)

• Reduced fares on some Green Mountain Transit commuter routes (60 and older)

Sean Pavone/istockphoto

Virginia

• No state income tax on Social Security; up to a $12,000 deduction can be taken on other retirement income (depending on age and income)

• Residents 60-plus with $23,850 or less in annual revenue can audit up to three courses each term at any public institution if there is space

• The reduced fare on public transit throughout Virginia with a Medicare card (65 and older)

• $ 25-lifetime hunting and fishing licenses (65 and older); no saltwater fishing license required

• Discounted prices on Naturally Yours Passports covering admission and parking at state parks, boat launches, and equestrian facilities

Dean Mitchell/istockphoto

Washington

• No state income tax

• Property tax exemption, which varies by income (61 and older)

• If class space is available, tuition is waived at colleges and universities in Washington (60 and older); some institutions limit the number of courses.

• Discounts on goods and services throughout Seattle with Gold Card for Healthy Aging (60 and older). Deals include free dog and cat licenses, free or discounted admission to attractions, and 10% off auto repair and towing.

• Half fare on ferries (65 and older); reduced fare on buses throughout the state for anyone with a Medicare card

• Reduced fishing and hunting license fees (70 and older)

• $75 annual passes for off-season camping and moorage at state parks (residents 62 and older); free with income less than $40,000

Mary Terriberry/Shutterstock

West Virginia

• 65% of Social Security income is exempt from taxes; in 2022, all Social Security income is exempt from taxes

• $8,000 income tax deduction for most seniors 65 and older

•  West Virginia University locations charge non-degree student seniors $5 to apply

• Free or low-cost rides on bus routes throughout the state (age limits vary)

• $ 25-lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license (65 and older)

• 10% off lodging at state parks  (60 and older)

Reel Wave Media/Shutterstock

Wisconsin

• No state income tax on Social Security benefits; up to $5,000 deduction for retirement plan income with federal adjusted gross income under $15,000, or $30,000 for married couples (65 and older)

• Generally half off public transport throughout the state

• $13 annual parking sticker for state parks (65 and older)

• $7 general fishing license and $9 hunting licenses

B Brown/Shutterstock

Wyoming

• No state income tax

• If there is class space, tuition is waived at the University of Wyoming (65 and older).

• Free Pioneer Fishing, Bird and Conservation Stamp License with residence in Wyoming for at least 30 years (65 and older)

• Public transport services from many senior centres, usually by donation; half off fixed-route bus services for Medicare cardholders