Amazon Prime Standard and Senior Pricing

Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year for most people. If you are 60 or older and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, you can get Prime for $6.99 per month instead — roughly half the standard price. You do not pay an annual fee upfront; the $6.99 charge appears on your account each month.

The discount applies to the full Prime membership, which includes free two-day shipping on millions of items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, and Prime Reading. You get the same benefits as anyone else paying full price — the only difference is what you pay.

Amazon does not advertise this discount heavily, so many older adults do not know it exists. The company requires you to verify your SSI or Medicaid status during sign-up, but the process is straightforward and takes a few minutes online.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime for seniors costs $6.99 per month if you receive SSI or Medicaid and are 60 or older.
  • You must verify your SSI or Medicaid status when you sign up; Amazon checks this information with the Social Security Administration or your state Medicaid office.
  • The senior discount gives you the full Prime membership — shipping, video streaming, music, and reading — not a limited version.
  • If you do not receive SSI or Medicaid, you pay the standard $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with no senior discount available.

How to Sign Up for the Senior Discount

Start at amazon.com and look for the Prime membership page. Select the option for "Prime for less" or "Prime for seniors" — the exact wording changes, but it will be clearly marked as a reduced-price option. Amazon will ask you to confirm your age (60 or older) and then verify your SSI or Medicaid status.

To verify SSI, Amazon connects to the Social Security Administration's database. You will need your Social Security number and date of birth. The verification happens in real time, and you will know when ready whether you may have access to. If you receive Medicaid, Amazon will ask which state you live in and may ask for additional information to confirm your status with your state's Medicaid program.

Once verified, your account is set up and the $6.99 monthly charge begins. You can cancel anytime by going to your account settings and selecting "End Prime membership." There is no penalty for canceling, and you will not be charged again after you end it.

What Is Included in Amazon Prime

Prime membership includes free two-day shipping on most items sold by Amazon directly (not third-party sellers). Many items ship faster — one-day or same-day in some areas. You also get access to Prime Video, which streams thousands of movies and TV shows, including original series that Amazon produces.

Prime Music lets you stream over 2 million songs ad-free, and Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating library of books, magazines, and newspapers. If you order groceries through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, Prime members get discounts and free delivery on orders over a certain amount (the threshold varies by location).

For older adults, the shipping benefit is often the most useful — it saves money on household items, medications, groceries, and other goods you might otherwise buy in a store or pay extra to have delivered. The video streaming is a bonus if you enjoy movies or shows.

Income Limits and SSI or Medicaid Requirements

Amazon does not publish specific income limits for the senior discount. Instead, the company uses SSI or Medicaid status as the marker. If you receive either benefit, you meet the requirement. If you do not receive either benefit, you do not may have access to for the discount, regardless of your income.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a federal program for people 65 and older, blind, or disabled who have limited income and resources. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that covers medical costs for people with low income. Both programs have their own income and asset limits, which vary by state for Medicaid.

If you are not sure whether you receive SSI or Medicaid, check your benefits statement or call your local Social Security office (for SSI) or your state Medicaid office (for Medicaid). They can tell you in a few minutes whether you are enrolled.

Standard Prime Pricing If You Do Not may have access to for the Senior Discount

If you are 60 or older but do not receive SSI or Medicaid, Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. This is the same price everyone else pays. There is no other senior discount or reduced rate available through Amazon.

Some people find the annual plan ($139) cheaper than paying monthly ($14.99 × 12 = $179.88), so if you think you will use Prime for the full year, the annual option saves money. You can switch between monthly and annual anytime.

If the cost is a concern, consider whether you would actually use the shipping and streaming benefits enough to justify the expense. Some older adults use Prime mainly for shipping and find the video streaming a bonus; others primarily watch Prime Video and see the shipping as the bonus. Think about which features matter to you.

Alternatives to Amazon Prime

If Prime is too expensive or you do not may have access to for the senior discount, other options exist. Walmart+ costs $12.98 per month or $98 per year and includes free shipping on many items, grocery delivery discounts, and fuel discounts at Walmart gas stations. Target Circle+ costs $9.99 per month and offers free shipping and same-day delivery on many items.

For video streaming alone, you can subscribe to individual services like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu for less than Prime Video costs as part of Prime. Many libraries also offer free streaming through services like Hoopla or Kanopy, and some offer free shipping programs for older adults or people with low income.

If you only need shipping occasionally, you might not need a membership at all — you can pay for shipping on individual orders. Compare what you actually buy and watch over a month or two to see whether a membership saves you money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to renew my SSI or Medicaid verification every year?

Amazon verifies your status when you sign up, but the company may ask you to re-verify periodically. If your status changes — for example, if you stop receiving SSI or Medicaid — you should update your account information. If you do not, Amazon may charge you the full price or cancel your membership.

Can I get the senior discount if I receive Social Security retirement benefits but not SSI?

No. Social Security retirement benefits and SSI are different programs. The senior Prime discount requires SSI or Medicaid specifically. If you receive only retirement benefits, you do not may have access to for the reduced rate.

What happens if I cancel Prime and want to sign up again later?

You can cancel and restart anytime. If you still receive SSI or Medicaid, you will still may have access to for the $6.99 rate when you sign up again. There is no waiting period or penalty.

Does the senior discount work with Prime Student or other Prime offers?

No. The senior discount ($6.99 per month) is separate from other Prime offers like Prime Student or promotional rates. You can use one discount at a time, not combine them.

Can someone else use my Prime account if I pay for it?

Yes. You can share your Prime membership with up to one other adult in your household through Amazon Household. That person gets the same benefits you do — shipping, video, music, and reading — even though only one of you pays. Children in your household can also access Prime benefits.