I am rapidly approaching a level 50 character. Am I correct in understanding that after level 50 I am no longer awarded perks?

You level to 81, at that point all skills are at 100. You get perks at every level, also health/magicka/stamina.

^^^^^^^^^^^ That

Someone got there first lol

No, you get Perks up to Level 81.

Level 50 is where most people max out their primary skills that they use for a character build. Plus, the game stops offering new things at Level 50, well, before that really.

It does get harder to level after 50 as you have to use Skills that you don't normally or have not normally used. Plus, Level Progression slows as you go up, so it gets harder to level.