What is AARP, and who can join?
Founded in 1958, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people 50 and over maintain independence, choice, and control as they age. While its mission is focused on the 50+ demographic, anyone aged 18 or older can purchase a membership and access many of the organization's benefits. Membership includes a wide array of discounts on goods and services, access to information and resources, and support for the organization's political and social advocacy efforts.
The benefits of an AARP membership
AARP offers a vast selection of benefits that can add up to significant savings for many seniors. The key is to examine if these benefits align with your spending habits and lifestyle.
Travel discounts
For seniors who enjoy traveling, AARP offers substantial discounts that can quickly recoup the membership fee. This includes savings on:
- Car Rentals: Up to 35% off base rates at Avis and Budget.
- Hotels & Resorts: Up to 25% off the best available rates at hotel chains like Hilton, Radisson, and Best Western.
- Cruises & Packages: Discounts on cruises and vacation packages booked through the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia.
- Flights: Some airline discounts, such as savings on round-trip tickets with British Airways.
Insurance and financial services
AARP partners with various providers to offer members exclusive insurance rates and financial planning tools.
- Auto & Home Insurance: AARP members can access auto and homeowners insurance programs through providers like The Hartford, often with special discounts for bundling policies or completing defensive driving courses.
- Health Insurance: AARP Medicare plans from UnitedHealthcare offer options for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Part D plans.
- Financial Tools: Members can access resources on retirement planning, fraud prevention, and special rates on financial products like high-yield savings accounts through partners like Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
Health and wellness perks
Staying healthy is a top priority for many seniors, and AARP offers benefits to support this goal.
- Dental and Vision Plans: Access to dental plans from Delta Dental and vision plans from VSP, with discounts on eyewear at retailers like LensCrafters and Target Optical.
- Prescription Discounts: The AARP Prescription Discounts program offers deeper savings on medications at participating pharmacies, even for those who already have insurance.
- Brain Health: Free online games and activities are available to stimulate cognitive health.
Everyday savings
Beyond the big-ticket items, AARP membership offers a wealth of smaller, everyday savings.
- Dining: Discounts at thousands of restaurants nationwide, including popular chains like Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, and Denny's.
- Shopping: Savings on cell phone service with Consumer Cellular, annual Walmart+ memberships, and access to coupons for groceries and other retail purchases.
- Entertainment: Discounts on movie tickets, access to free online movie screenings, and reduced prices for events like Cirque du Soleil.
The drawbacks of an AARP membership
While the benefits are plentiful, it's also important to consider the potential downsides of joining AARP.
- Value is variable: The worth of a membership is highly dependent on how often you use the benefits. If your lifestyle doesn't align with the offered discounts, the annual fee may not be a worthwhile investment.
- Alternative options: Many of the benefits can be obtained elsewhere, sometimes through credit card rewards, other affinity groups, or competitor organizations. You may already have better deals through existing memberships.
- Marketing volume: Some members report a significant volume of sales and marketing materials upon joining, which can be seen as a drawback.
- Endorsement bias concerns: AARP's partnerships with large companies, particularly in the insurance sector, have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, with some critics suggesting recommendations may be influenced by financial gain rather than members' best interests.
AARP alternatives and comparison
For seniors who may not find AARP's offerings suitable, or who have different political leanings, several alternatives exist. For example, the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) is a conservative alternative that also offers discounts and advocacy.
| Feature | AARP | AMAC | Other Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$16/year (auto-renewal), rising to $20 after the first year | ~$16/year | Variable, may include credit card rewards programs or company-specific senior discounts. |
| Political Stance | Nonpartisan, but often advocates for policies aligned with senior interests | Conservative, advocating for reduced government involvement and tax reform | Vary widely by organization. |
| Benefits Focus | Broad range: travel, dining, insurance, health, and financial resources | Primarily focused on discounts, less extensive resource library | Can be highly specific to the product or service, e.g., insurance provider discounts. |
| Advocacy Power | Significant lobbying influence due to large membership base | Growing influence, though smaller than AARP | Non-existent or very limited. |
How to decide if an AARP membership is right for you
To determine if an AARP membership is a good investment, follow these steps:
- Assess your lifestyle: Consider your regular spending habits. Do you frequently travel, dine out, or use services where AARP offers discounts? The more you align with AARP's partner offerings, the greater your potential savings.
- Calculate potential savings: Research the specific discounts you'd be likely to use. Tally up potential savings on car rentals, insurance, and restaurant bills. If these savings easily surpass the annual membership fee, it's likely a worthwhile investment.
- Explore non-financial benefits: Consider the value of AARP's advocacy work, fraud prevention resources, and publications. These benefits are harder to quantify financially but may be important to you.
- Compare alternatives: Look into other senior-focused organizations or check if your credit cards or existing insurance policies already provide similar benefits.
- Try it for a year: A low initial annual fee and no long-term commitment allow you to test the waters and see if you actually use the benefits.
Final thoughts on AARP's value for seniors
Ultimately, whether an AARP membership is worth it is a personal decision based on a careful cost-benefit analysis. For many seniors who actively use the discounts on travel, insurance, and dining, the savings will far exceed the modest annual fee. Beyond the monetary benefits, membership supports a powerful advocacy group that lobbies on behalf of older Americans' interests, from healthcare to retirement security. The resources, publications, and community programs also offer significant non-financial value. For those who don't utilize the perks, the cost may not be justified, especially with the availability of alternative discount programs. We recommend performing a brief audit of your spending and comparing potential savings to the membership fee to make an informed choice. It can also be beneficial to explore other organizations, such as AMAC, to ensure you select the best fit for your needs. To learn more about AARP's extensive offerings, you can visit their official website at www.aarp.org.
