Costco Senior Discount in 2025

Costco Senior Discount: What to Expect

• As of 2025, Costco does not offer a specific discount for seniors on either memberships or in-store purchases.
• The starting price of a Costco “Gold Star” membership is $65 per year.
• Costco discounts on hearing aids, gas, and general merchandise likely make a membership worth it for seniors.

Does Costco Have a Senior Discount?

The short answer is no. This means membership fees and in-store items cost the same for everyone. However, there are a number of Costco perks that make the retailer a great place to shop for seniors.

Costco Hearing Aids

If you’ve ever purchased a pair of hearing aids, you know how expensive the devices can be, often costing upward of $4,000 per pair. Many Costco stores have their own in-store hearing centers, however, and their hearing aid prices are often much more affordable.

You can schedule a hearing test appointment with one of Costco’s hearing aid specialists. After the test, the specialist will be able to recommend hearing aids appropriate for your degree of hearing loss and individual needs and preferences. Costco also includes free remote follow-up care to help users manage their hearing aids.

Hearing aid prices at Costco start at $1,600 and $1,700 a pair, and custom ear molds, if needed, are sold separately. You can also purchase accessories, such as a TV sound device, remote chargers, and smart microphones.

Kirkland Signature Labels

While Costco no longer sells Kirkland brand hearing aids, the retailer’s lineup includes other well-known hearing aid brands, including Jabra, Rexton, Sennheiser, and Philips.

However, Costco is famous for selling other name-brand products under its Kirkland Signature label. The process, known as white-labeling, means you can generally get these products for much lower prices at the outlet.

The following chart highlights popular Kirkland products that are actually manufactured by famous brands, according to Yahoo! Finance.1

Unfortunately, Kirkland-brand vodka is not actually Grey Goose,2 as many have suspected.

Costco Optical Services

Older adults can save on eye exams administered by the independent doctor of optometry on-site in Costco’s Optical Departments. Costco says that Costco Optical now accepts most major vision insurance provider plans. In addition to Kirkland Signature glasses, Costco Optical also sells contact lenses, sunglasses, and eye care accessories.

Costco Memberships

Costco’s Gold Star Membership costs $65 and grants you access to all Costco stores, provides two membership cards, and comes with a satisfaction guarantee on your membership. Executive Membership, which costs $130 per year, offers Gold Star Membership benefits plus:

• Annual 2 percent award on qualified purchases
• Special shopping Costco hours
• $10 monthly credit on SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart
• Extra benefits on Costco Travel purchases

Costco vs. the Competition

In terms of availability, Costco operates more stores (800 worldwide) than their competitors, with plans to expand. BJ’s Wholesale Club operates far fewer locations (less than 300) compared with Costco and Sam’s Club, which operate 600 or more stores in the U.S.

Other Membership Benefits

Costco’s Gold Star Membership is $65 a year, $15 more than a Sam’s Club’s membership, which costs $50 annually. Sam’s Club’s Plus membership is $110, which is $20 cheaper than Costco’s Executive membership fee of $130. BJ’s membership costs fall in the middle at $60 for a regular membership and $120 per year for the Club+ Card Membership.

Costco and BJ’s offer similar new membership discounts for members of the military, first responders, health care workers, and teachers, but they don’t offer discounts to seniors. By contrast, Sam’s Club does offer discounted memberships on new memberships to eligible seniors.

Costco and Sam’s Club memberships come with a satisfaction guarantee, and you’re free to cancel anytime. They both offer “executive” early shopping hours, but Costco’s executive shopping hours are scheduled on a more consistent basis than Sam’s Club, which states that early-access shopping is available at the company’s discretion.

>> Related Reading: Check out our guide on Sam’s Club discounts.

Scan-and-Go

Costco falls a bit behind in scan-and-go shopping, which both Sam’s Club and BJ’s offer. Costco is testing an in-store scan-and-go option and has reported success with the program; however, they haven’t yet implemented this payment system. Costco’s Executive membership comes with a $10 monthly credit on one eligible SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart purchase of $150 or more.

Bottom Line

Costco doesn’t offer specific discounts or deals to seniors, but the company offers everyday savings that make a membership worth the $65 annual fee. In addition to discounted grocery and household items, Costco offers optical services, hearing aid centers, pharmacy services, photo labs, and travel deals.

Which big-box wholesale retailer is best for you will likely come down to more individual factors than the cost of membership. Convenience to a store likely trumps many other concerns, although some people might decide that Costco’s legendary cheap hot dog and soda prices are well worth the drive!