Perks that make it a prime time of life
There are plenty of deals to take advantage of when you’ve hit ‘senior’ status
Retirement comes with plenty to cheer about: less stress. No more conference calls. Freedom to travel. Here’s one more reason: cost savings on everything from clothing to education to movies. If you can look beyond the potentially offending label of “senior,” discounts earned for simply being 65 and over can help stretch your dollar.
Education Take advantage of reduced tuition fees to study jewelry-making, screenwriting, garden design or a plethora of other subjects.
George Brown College offers students over the age of 65 a 20-percent discount on all of its continuing education courses (excluding distance education). coned.georgebrown.ca
Humber College students over 65 pay $20 for continuing education courses (plus applicable fees). Some courses are exempted from the discount; call before registering to ensure your choice qualifies. humber.ca
York University has an incredibly appealing offer for students 60 and over. As long as you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, academic fees (at the domestic rate) will be waived, up to a maximum of one undergraduate degree and one graduate degree. Other fees (such as those for materials) are not covered, but these are typically modest. yorku.ca
Arts/Culture
The Art Gallery of Ontario lowers its $19.50 admission price to $16 for visitors 65 and over. For $110, visitors can invest in an annual membership. A dual annual membership, which admits one member plus a guest, is $145. ago.net Seniors, 65 and over, pay a reduced general admission fee of $15.50 at the Royal Ontario Museum. They also receive discounted tickets for the museum’s special exhibitions.
For $145, a Senior Family annual membership gets visitors into exclusive member events and discounts on programs and lectures, as well as admission for one member, one guest and up to four children under 17.
Or, for the same price, choose the Senior Family Two membership, which admits two members and four children under 17. rom.on.ca
Explore the Bata Shoe Museum’s collection of more than a thousand shoes for $12, anytime. batashoemuseum.ca
Shopping
Stock up on pantry essentials at Bulk Barn for 10 per cent less every Wednesday. bulkbarn.ca
Home Hardware takes 10 per cent off regular-price items during designated seniors days. Day of the week and discount may vary by location. homehardware.ca
Shoppers Drug Mart gives Optimum-card holding seniors 55 and over a 20-per-cent discount on select regular priced items every Thursday. The last Thursday of every month is Super Senior Day, where shoppers can earn a $10 store gift card with select purchases of $50 or more. shoppersdrugmart.ca
On one Tuesday per month, customers 55 and over will save 20 per cent at Rexall. Call your local store to confirm dates. rexall.ca
Hudson’s Bay gives senior shoppers 60 and older 15 per cent off their in-store purchase on the first Tuesday of every month. thebay.com
Fill your freezer for 5 per cent less every Tuesday at M&M Food Market. mmfoodmarket.com
Travel
The TTC extends its student deal to seniors 65 and older. Cash fares are only $2 and a monthly Metropass is $112 — that’s nearly a $30 savings. ttc.ca
Via Rail travellers 60 or over can enjoy 10 per cent off the economy plus, sleeper, sleeper plus and touring fares. viarail.ca
GO Transit cuts the cost of a singleride fare in half for passengers 65 and over on all lines. gotransit.com
Once you’re 65 or over, take advantage of a $5 ferry round trip to the Toronto islands. toronto.ca
Entertainment
Moviegoers 65 and over don’t have to wait for “cheap Tuesday” to buy a movie ticket for less at Cineplex theatres. Discounts vary by theatre; check online or call ahead to verify. cineplex.com
Retirees won’t save on single tickets at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, but the theatre does offer an $11 discount on its various memberships to those over 60. bloorcinema.com
Catch a regular screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox for $10.50 (65plus). tiff.net
Bring grandchildren to the Toronto Zoo and save $5 on your admission, winter or summer, if you are 65 or older. torontozoo.com
Visitors 65 and over can save on daily admission ($19.98), as well as on memberships at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. ripleyaquariums.com/canada
Accommodations
At Best Western hotels around the world, visitors aged 55 and older can book rooms at a discount of 10 per cent or more.
Certain hotels may offer “mature guests” additional perks, such as early check-in or continental breakfast. Best to inquire before booking. bestwestern.com
Marriott hotels will take15 per cent or more off rates for travellers who are at least 62.
The discount is applicable at more than 4,000 Marriott locations around the world. marriott.com