Just picked ours up while in San Francisco last month. They didn’t tell us until after we purchased 2 that each was good for 4 people. Oh well, at least we “donated” to a good cause.
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I am old enough that when I got my senior park pass it was FREE!! 
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The senior pass used to be $10, but was raised to $80 when H was old enough to get his. We have saved many many times over even with paying the $80!
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My husband got it when it was still $35. Such a deal!
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We have multiple golden age passes and one handicapped lifetime pass. (We have forgotten to bring the pass multiple times—haha). We try to remember to bring it but don’t mind buying a new one when we forget and end up at a national park.
I started SS when D’s attorney told me I had to start so she could apply for disability based on my SS record. H has a federal pension which began when he finally retired at age 70, after 45 years as a fed employee. He doesn’t get SS.
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We got my lifetime senior pass when it was free, and then my husband’s , which was free b/c he was military. There is a beautiful walking train near our home that is part of the national park system, so we keep a pass in the car always
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When was the senior parks pass free?
We have ours , and it’s a good thing to have. We have used it on trips to both AZ and ME.
But this had no impact on when we took SS. I took my very small benefit at age 62. DH wait until age 70.
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My SS benefit annually is less than H’s monthly pension but my benefit does cover medicare premiums for both of us.
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If you have government pension, do you automatically not get SS even if you paid SS tax?
It depends on what federal retirement plan you have based on your service entry date. Older fed employees were on CSRS ( Civil Service Retirement Act) and got a larger annuity but didn’t contribute and could not collect social security from their Fed employment. Younger employees are on FERS ( Federal Employees Retirement System), and get a three tiered system: a smaller annuity, ability to collect SS, and matching contributions to their Thrift Savings Plan, the fed version of a 401K.
CSRS employees can/could contribute to the TSP, but don’t receive matching funds. They also can collect SS if they worked something like 20 quarters in a non Fed position.
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I don’t recall , I just recall ordering it online before it was going to cost something like $80. I am wondering if maybe it cost $10, but I honestly don’t recall paying a penny. Just recall filling out a form online and it came in the mail.
Senior park permanent pass recently was $10 until 2018. It then became $80.
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Then musta paid $10 for mine.
ETA:
We went to a local park with DH’s military ID When he turned 62 and he got a senior lifetime pass . We can’t recall what, if anything we paid for it but it is a lifetime pass, he got it after the price increase in Aug 2017, and we did not pay $80. We think back then they didn’t charge for the senior lifetime pass for retired military. Now it looks like active military get free annual Passes.
H didn’t contribute to SS for many quarters. and even if he was entitled to any SS, it would be offset by his larger federal pension. He’s an older CSRS employee.
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Military veterans can receive a FREE LIFETIME
pass to our national parks. No age requirement. I just showed my state driver’s license with the veteran designation to receive my free lifetime card while entering Shenandoah national park.
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My DH seems to think that he had misplaced his pass and we went to get a replacement. He wasn’t sure. It was a while ago. But I don’t believe they provide free replacements so that can’t be right. The first time we went to get his free lifetime pass they didn’t have a sample in their book of the what is on the back of his old, green military id so the guy wouldn’t give it to him. So we went back another day and got it. (Of course I went to look for it in his car to answer this and it’s not there so who knows.) But I had my senior lifetime pass already so there was no rush.
Regardless, all of this is off topic.
My husband got his National Park pass at age 62 for $10. But when he lost it and had to get a new one it had gone up to $80(?) Still a great deal though.
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I wouldn’t be taking it if 1) I was still working or 2) DH’s insurance was subsidized. It wouldn’t be worth it to take it now for me. I think you are making the right choice for your financial situation.
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I’m happy to share correct information to help anyone that might find it useful.
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The military (active) get annual passes. Only the retired and gold star families get lifetime. One guy gave my DH a hassle because he wasn’t familiar with his ID. The next guy was helpful. People with permanent disabilities also can get free lifetime passes. Can’t recall if DH’s said military or senior. But it’s not in his car like it should be so 
. Let’s get back to topic. No need for debate.