Here’s what you can now do at age 65 that millions of older Americans miss — don’t whiff on these big financial opportunities

Although 2025 was a high-water mark, 2026 likely won’t be far behind. Earlier estimates from ALI suggested that more than 4.1 million Americans would turn 65 each year during this period (2). In 2025, that was a rate of about 11,400 per day.

In other words, if you’re approaching your mid-60s this year or next, you have plenty of company.

This is a pivotal age for a lot of reasons, but the financial ones may be most important.

Most seniors already know 65 is the typical age of eligibility for Medicare (3). But this milestone unlocks many other tax breaks and financial opportunities that could make your golden years as comfortable as possible.

Here are the top four things you can do at 65 that many American seniors miss out on.

1. Boost social security

You might already be aware of the way claimant age impacts your Social Security benefits, but many seniors overlook this when filing.

Roughly 45% of seniors who claimed benefits in 2022 did so before the age of 65, according to analysis by the Bipartisan Policy Center (4). Nearly 30% of them claimed at the earliest age possible: 62.

Benefits can be reduced by as much as 30% for claiming at 62 instead of the full retirement age, according to the IRS (5). Even at 65, waiting a few months more can boost your monthly payout. If you can wait until the age of 70, you can maximize your payout.

Unfortunately, many seniors who are aware of the way the system works still file early because of financial distress, misinformation or healthcare concerns.

If you’re feeling similar pressure to file early, perhaps a consultation with an expert could help you find some better alternatives.

Advisor.com could connect you with a qualified professional who can examine your finances and help you find out if delaying your retirement to maximize Social Security benefits is a good idea.

How it works is simple: Just enter a bit about yourself, like your ZIP code, and what you’re looking for — retirement related or otherwise. From here, Advisor.com will match you with a certified financial professional near you.

Even if you’ve already filed your claim and locked in a lower benefit, an advisor can help craft a robust investment plan that plugs the gap in your finances over time. To help you find the perfect match, Advisor.com lets you set up a free initial consultation with no obligation to hire.

2. Claim special deductions

Coinciding with full retirement age is the new enhanced deduction for seniors, as established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (6).

Available to those over the age of 65, this added deduction can be claimed through 2028. Individuals can claim $6,000, and married couples can claim a combined $12,000 if both partners qualify. This is in addition to the usual set of deductions and, under the right circumstances, can help reduce your tax liability.

It’s a golden opportunity for seniors to reduce their taxes or potentially take advantage of sophisticated strategies like Roth conversions.

3. Claim property tax breaks (state-level)

Property taxes are one of the least-popular forms of taxation, but after the age of 65 some states offer a little relief. New Jersey, Florida and Texas have different versions of tax exemptions or credits specifically available to property owners over the age of 65 (7, 8, 9). Washington State is a notable exception, where the application age is a minimum of 61 (10).