With Halloween creeping up this weekend, AARP released today online survey results of people 50-plus and their opinions on the haunting American tradition.

When it comes to trick or treating, those surveyed say the age of 12 is the best time to give up the candy bag.

AARP asked in the poll, what age do you think it is proper to stop trick or treating? For both men and women the median age is 12.

Candy Cost
Survey recipients 50 and older also say on average they spend about $20 on Halloween goodies to treat those who come to their door.

Spooked Seniors?
When people 50-plus were asked if they believe in ghosts, an overwhelming 68% said no. The older the respondent, the more skeptical they were about supernatural spirits:

• 63% of those 50 – 64 don't believe in ghosts 

• 81% of those 65-plus don't believe in ghosts

And when asked about iconic thriller movie characters, Freddy Krueger slashed his way to the top giving 50-plus respondents the most creeps, followed by a host of other scary movie icons:

• 35% chose Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street;
  

• 17% chose Dracula;

• 16% chose Jason from Friday the 13^th;

• 12% chose Michael Myers from Halloween;

• 10% chose Frankenstein; and

• 10% picked other

The survey is part of an ongoing polling series to disrupt aging and highlight how Americans 50 and older feel about interesting cultural topics and other issues that affect their everyday lives.