Age when one can avail benefits set aside for senior citizens

1. Different sectors have prescribed different ages for offering discounts and benefits to senior citizens –
2. Banks and railways provide rebates, higher interests on deposits and other facilities to people who 60 years of age and are over.
3. The Income Tax Department, which comes under the purview of the Finance Ministry, classifies a person who is 65 years and above for senior citizen income tax exemptions.
4. Air India offers senior citizen discounts to males who are 65 years and above and females who are 63 years and above as on the date of commencement of journey.
5. The minimum age of eligibility for old age pension varies from 55 to 65 years from state to state.
6. Senior Citizens Unit Planof UTI offers the benefit of medical treatment to seniors and their spouse to those who are 58 years and older. Senior Citizens Saving Scheme prescribes an age limit of 55 to 60 years as an eligibility requirement.
7. Local Municipal Corporations such as that of Delhi prescribes 65 years as the age of availing benefits for senior citizens according to the DMC Act of 1957.
8. The National Policy of Older Persons recognizes a person who is 60 years of age and above as a Senior Citizen. It resulted in the creation of the National Council of Older Persons. This Council is taking steps to ensure that the uniform age of 60 years and above is taken into account for availing facilities and benefits to senior citizens. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also written to all Ministries and State Governments concerned for adopting a uniform age of 60 years for conferring senior citizen status.

Source : http://india.gov.in/citizen/senior_citizen/general.php