The age at which people are considered seniors varies depending on context, but the most common threshold is 65 years old. In the United States, 65 is widely recognized as the age when a person becomes a senior citizen because it marks eligibility for Medicare and many government benefits

. However, some distinctions exist:

• Early senior discounts and some benefits may start as early as age 55 or 60 with certain businesses and programs

• Social Security retirement benefits can begin at age 62, though full benefits typically require waiting until age 66 or 67

• In other countries, the recognized senior age often ranges from 60 to 67, depending on retirement age and government programs

Additionally, the concept of being a senior is sometimes defined by health and lifestyle rather than strictly chronological age, as individuals age differently

. In summary:

• Most common senior citizen age: 65 years
• Some benefits start at 55 or 60 years
• Social Security early retirement at 62
• Full retirement benefits around 66-67 years
• International variation typically between 60 and 67 years

This reflects both legal definitions and cultural perceptions of senior status