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Senior citizen is a general designation for persons who have reached a certain age, which may vary by different standards. It is often used for legal or policy-related reasons in determining who is eligible for certain benefits available to the age group.
It is also used in place of traditional terms such as "old person" or "elderly" as a courtesy, intended to signify continuing relevance of, and respect[1] for, this population group as "citizens" of society, of "senior" rank.
The term was apparently coined in 1938 during a political campaign[2]. It has come into widespread use in recent decades in legislation, commerce, and common speech. In less formal contexts, it is often abbreviated as a collective plural seniors, with senior used as an adjective.
In commerce, businesses often offer "senior discounts", sometimes with a special "senior discount card".
Qualifying Age
The age which qualifies for senior citizen status varies widely. In governmental contexts it is usually associated with an age at which pensions or medical benefits for the elderly become available. In commercial contexts, where it may serve as a marketing device to attract customers, the age is often significantly lower.
In the United States, the standard retirement age is currently 65 (gradually increasing to 67).
The AARP allows couples in which one spouse has reached the age of 50 to join, regardless of the age of the younger spouse.
See also
References
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