CARP vs. AARP: The Core Distinction
The fundamental difference between CARP and AARP lies in their country of origin and primary focus. AARP is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, advocating for the rights and well-being of its population aged 50 and over. In contrast, CARP is a non-partisan, not-for-profit advocacy association for older Canadians. While AARP has inspired similar organizations globally, CARP has been independent since its foundation in Canada. This geographical separation and different operational environments lead to significant variations in their services and advocacy priorities.
Historical Context and Evolution
AARP was founded in 1958 by retired principal Ethel Percy Andrus and insurance broker Leonard Davis to address the healthcare needs of older Americans. Over time, it expanded its scope beyond just insurance to include a wide range of member benefits, educational resources, and advocacy. Its name officially changed from the American Association of Retired Persons to simply AARP in 1999 to reflect that many members were not retired.
CARP was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 1985 by Lillian and Murray Morgenthau, specifically modeled after the American organization. It is about half the age of AARP and operates within Canada's different social and political landscape. A major differentiator noted by former CARP chairman Moses Znaimer is Canada's publicly funded healthcare system, which means Canadian members do not join primarily for health insurance, unlike many early AARP members.
Membership and Mission
Both organizations have evolved their membership and mission over time to be more inclusive. While originally focused on retired individuals, both now serve broader, aging populations and do not require members to be retired.
CARP's mission is to promote and protect the interests, rights, and quality of life for Canadians as they age. Key advocacy areas include healthcare, retirement security, and combating age discrimination. Membership is open to all ages, with CARP now branding the demographic as "Zoomers".
AARP's mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age, focusing on independence, choice, and control. Membership is open to anyone aged 18 and older, although many benefits are geared toward the 50+ demographic. AARP is also a powerful lobbying force in the U.S. and has inspired similar groups internationally.
Comparison of Benefits and Programs
| Feature | CARP (Canada) | AARP (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Focus | Canada | United States |
| Membership Eligibility | Open to all ages; no age restriction to join. | Open to ages 18 and over; benefits aimed at 50+. |
| Membership Cost | Varies; online information indicates different rates and packages, including options tied to their media provider ZoomerMedia. | Standard annual membership is approximately $16-$20, with discounts for longer terms or automatic renewal. |
| Primary Advocacy Focus | Healthcare, financial security, combating ageism, and government accountability. | Federal and state advocacy on healthcare, economic security (e.g., Social Security), and age discrimination. |
| Health Insurance | Does not offer health insurance directly due to Canada's socialized medicine system; focuses on advocating for access to and improvements in publicly funded healthcare. | Offers a wide range of health-related insurance products, including Medicare Supplement plans, administered by partners like UnitedHealthcare. |
| Discounts | Provides discounts on services such as travel, entertainment, auto clubs, and various products through partnerships. | Offers hundreds of member discounts on travel, restaurants, shopping, and more through partner brands like The Hartford and Expedia. |
| Publications | Publishes the Zoomer magazine, which focuses on issues affecting the aging population. | Publishes AARP The Magazine, the largest circulation magazine in the US, and the AARP Bulletin. |
Services for an Aging Population
In addition to advocacy and member benefits, both CARP and AARP provide resources and services aimed at improving the lives of their members. These include:
- Health and Wellness: Both offer information and resources related to health. AARP's offerings include wellness information and specific insurance products like vision plans, while CARP focuses on advocating for better healthcare access and providing resources like health management tools.
- Financial Guidance: Both provide resources for financial planning and retirement security. AARP offers tools and calculators and promotes job resources for older workers. CARP advocates for financial security and reforms concerning retirement funds and pensions in Canada.
- Fraud Protection: AARP operates a Fraud Watch Network to help people avoid scams and identity theft. CARP also aims to protect its members' financial interests through its advocacy and partnerships.
Conclusion
While CARP and AARP share a similar mission of advocating for and serving their aging populations, they are entirely separate entities with distinct focuses based on their respective countries, Canada and the United States. AARP, as the older and larger organization, offers a broader range of insurance products and has a powerful lobbying presence in the US, reflecting the different healthcare and political system. CARP, operating within the Canadian system, focuses its advocacy on improving publicly funded healthcare and ensuring retirement security for its members. Both, however, provide valuable discounts, resources, and community programs designed to empower and improve the lives of older adults.
Key Takeaways
- Different Countries, Similar Missions: While CARP (Canada) was modeled after AARP (USA), they are separate, independent organizations operating in different countries with similar goals of serving the aging population.
- Membership and Age: Both organizations have no strict retirement or age requirement to join; AARP is open to anyone 18+, while CARP is open to all ages, though both focus their resources on older demographics.
- Healthcare is a Key Difference: AARP offers extensive health insurance plans and advocacy in the US market, whereas CARP advocates for improvements within Canada's publicly funded healthcare system, which does not require members to seek supplemental coverage.
- Lobbying Power: AARP is known as a highly influential lobbying force in the U.S., leveraging its large membership to influence federal policy, while CARP advocates on federal and provincial issues in Canada.
- Publications and Benefits: Both associations offer members-only publications and a wide range of discounts on travel, shopping, and insurance products, tailored to their respective national markets.
FAQs
What does CARP stand for? CARP is an acronym that once stood for the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, but the organization now simply uses "CARP" to reflect that its members are not exclusively retired.
Is it possible to be a member of both CARP and AARP? Yes, it is possible for an individual to be a member of both CARP and AARP. For example, a Canadian citizen who travels or lives part-time in the U.S. could benefit from holding both memberships.
Does AARP influence policies in Canada? No, AARP does not have jurisdiction or influence over Canadian policies. AARP focuses its powerful lobbying efforts on issues within the United States, while CARP is the primary advocate for older Canadians.
Why does AARP offer health insurance and CARP doesn't? AARP offers various health insurance products, including Medicare plans, to its members because healthcare is largely privatized in the U.S.. In contrast, Canada has a socialized medicine system, so CARP focuses its efforts on advocating for improvements and equitable access within that public system rather than selling private insurance.
Is there a minimum age to join CARP or AARP? There is no minimum age to join CARP, which is open to all Canadians who support its mission. For AARP, while many benefits are aimed at the 50+ community, membership is open to anyone aged 18 and older.
Are the benefits of a CARP or AARP membership transferable between countries? While some international discounts may be available through certain partnerships, most benefits, including insurance and specific local offers, are country-specific and not transferable. It is best to check each organization's offerings for detailed information.
Which organization is older, CARP or AARP? AARP is the older organization, founded in the United States in 1958. CARP was founded much later in 1985 in Canada, having been inspired by the American model.
