Meeting senior singles in the United States

Where to start, at a glance

The quickest route to groups near you is one free phone call, then a visit or two. This table shows who to contact for what:

Start with one free phone call

The most useful number for finding things to do after 50 is one many people have never heard of. The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the federal Administration for Community Living. You can call or text 1-800-677-1116 and speak to a trained information specialist, Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm Eastern. There's also a search on the Eldercare Locator website.

The specialists refer most callers to one of more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging around the country: local public or nonprofit agencies that coordinate services for older adults. Your local agency knows what runs in your county: senior centers, exercise classes, lunch programs, trips, and volunteer schemes.

You don't need a script, but it helps to say plainly what you're after. For example: "I'm 64, recently widowed, and I'd like to get out and meet people. What groups, classes or trips are there near me, and which ones are good for someone coming on their own?"

Senior centers: busier than you might think

Senior centers are run by towns, counties and nonprofits. What's on varies a lot from one to the next, so ask about exercise and dance classes, walking groups, computer help, day trips and shared meals. Activities are often free or low cost, you can walk in alone, and the same faces turn up each week, which is exactly how people get to know each other.

Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you where your nearest centers are. Visit two or three; each has its own crowd.

On a first visit, pick an activity rather than just dropping in: a class or a shared lunch gives you something to do with your hands and an easy opening line. Ask at the front desk which groups are friendliest to newcomers, and go back the following week. It's the second and third visits, when people start to recognize you, that make the difference.

Lifelong learning institutes for people 50 and over

Many universities run an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI): noncredit classes for older adults with no tests or grades, plus clubs and social events. Two Florida examples show what to expect:

• OLLI at the University of South Florida offers courses in Tampa and St. Petersburg "by and for adults age 50+". Annual membership was $60 when we checked, and members can register for more than 300 courses a year, with member socials and shared interest groups. (USF OLLI)
• OLLI at Florida Atlantic University runs programs on three campuses: Boca Raton, Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale. (FAU OLLI)

To find one near you, search for "Osher Lifelong Learning Institute" and the name of your state. A class is a low-pressure way to meet people: you already have something to talk about.

Volunteering with people your own age

Volunteering gives you a reason to show up every week and something to talk about from the first minute. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP is a national program for volunteers aged 55 and over, run through local organizations. Search for a project near you on the AmeriCorps website. Hospitals, libraries and parks also need regular volunteers. Our guide to volunteering to meet people over 50 explains how to pick a role that suits you.

Other places worth trying

• Faith communities. Many congregations run newcomers' groups, suppers and trips.
• Walking, dancing and fitness groups. Parks and recreation departments, YMCAs and community colleges list classes and clubs.
• 55+ communities. If you live in one, the clubhouse calendar is a ready-made social life. See dating in a 55+ community.

For more ideas, see where senior singles really meet, how to find a senior singles group and what singles events for over-50s are like.

Dating online in the US

If local options are thin, or you'd like to meet people beyond your own circle, an over-50s dating site widens the choice. Many people use both: a group for company and routine, and a site to meet people they'd never otherwise cross paths with. Just Senior Singles is written first for the US, and joining, building a profile and browsing are free. You must be at least 18 to join, or 21 in Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska and Wyoming. Reading and replying to messages needs a paid membership; see prices.

Reporting a romance scam in the US

In the US, report a romance scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and call your bank first if you've sent money. The FTC says Americans aged 60 and over reported losing about $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024, and that older adults were much more likely than younger ones to report losing money to romance scams.

If it happens to you:

1. Call your bank using the number on your card.
2. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline on 833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11), Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm Eastern. It's free, run with support from the U.S. Department of Justice, and staffed by people experienced in working with older adults. They can help you work out whether something is a scam and help you file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. (DOJ)

If you're worried that an older relative or friend is being financially exploited and can't protect themselves, Adult Protective Services in their state can step in. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's guide to reporting elder financial abuse explains who to call, and the Eldercare Locator can give you the local number.

Our safety page covers the warning signs, and where to report a romance scam explains each step.