What Exactly is AARP?
Founded in 1958, AARP—originally the American Association of Retired Persons—is a nonprofit organization focused on issues affecting older Americans. While membership was once restricted to retirees, anyone over the age of 18 can now join, although some benefits are age-restricted. Its mission has evolved to include a wide array of services and lobbying efforts on behalf of those aged 50 and older. The organization's work spans a variety of areas, from financial security and healthcare to travel and fraud prevention.
The Extensive Benefits of an AARP Membership
For many, the primary draw of an AARP membership is the extensive list of discounts and services. These benefits cover a broad range of everyday expenses and can quickly justify the low annual membership fee, especially if you use them consistently.
Financial & Insurance Advantages
- Insurance: AARP members can access exclusive rates on various insurance products through partner companies, including auto, homeowners, life, and health insurance plans (especially Medicare-related options).
- Financial Tools: The organization offers access to financial planning resources, savings accounts, and investment tools to help members manage their money effectively in retirement.
- Fraud Protection: AARP provides resources and support to help members protect themselves from scams and financial exploitation, a concern that disproportionately affects older adults.
Travel & Entertainment Discounts
- Travel: Members can save on car rentals, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages through the AARP Travel Center. Major hotel chains and rental companies offer significant AARP discounts.
- Restaurants: Dining discounts are available at many popular national and local restaurant chains.
- Entertainment: Discounts on movie tickets, theme parks, and other activities help members save on leisure activities.
Health & Wellness
- Prescription Discounts: A free prescription discount card offers savings on FDA-approved medications at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide.
- Vision & Hearing: Members can save on eyeglasses and vision exams at participating retailers like LensCrafters and Target Optical. Free annual hearing tests are also available.
- Health Resources: AARP provides access to expert health advice, resources on brain health, and tools for planning long-term care needs.
Potential Drawbacks and Criticisms
While the benefits are plentiful, AARP is not without its critics. Some of the concerns raised include:
- Political Affiliation: AARP is a powerful lobbying group that advocates for its members' interests in Washington, D.C., particularly on issues related to Social Security and Medicare. Some members disagree with the organization's political stances, which are often perceived as leaning liberal.
- Value for Younger Members: AARP has opened membership to anyone over 18, but many of the most significant benefits, especially insurance, are not available to younger members. It's crucial for those under 50 to assess if the limited discounts justify the annual fee.
- Alternative Options: Many of the discounts offered by AARP can be found elsewhere through credit cards, employer programs, or other organizations. It's wise to compare AARP's offerings with what you already have access to.
- Profits from Royalties: The organization earns a significant amount of revenue from royalties paid by its partner companies, such as insurance carriers. This creates a financial incentive for AARP to promote these specific products, leading some to question whether the advice is always unbiased.
Weighing Your Options: AARP vs. Alternatives
To make a wise decision, it's helpful to compare AARP with other organizations offering similar benefits to seniors.
| Feature | AARP | Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) | 60 Plus Association | AAA (American Automobile Association) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Stance | Non-partisan, but perceived as center-left; powerful lobbying group | Conservative advocacy group | Conservative advocacy group; focuses on free enterprise, less government | Non-partisan; primarily focuses on travel, auto, and roadside assistance |
| Membership Cost | Varies, low annual fee with auto-renewal discounts | Low annual fee; multi-year discounts available | Varies by membership tier | Varies by state and tier of service |
| Key Offerings | Broad range: discounts, advocacy, publications, insurance | Discounts, lobbying, magazines | Discounts, lobbying | Roadside assistance, travel discounts, insurance |
| Who It’s For | Wide audience aged 18+ looking for general benefits and advocacy | Those seeking conservative political representation and discounts | Those seeking conservative political representation | All ages; primarily for auto-related services |
How to Make the Right Choice for You
- Assess Your Needs: What do you hope to gain from a membership? Are you seeking discounts, advocacy, or access to specific products like insurance? Prioritize your most important needs.
- Calculate the Potential Savings: Look at the specific discounts offered and estimate how much you would realistically save over a year. If you plan to take a trip using a partner hotel or rent a car, the savings might easily exceed the cost of membership.
- Consider the Political Dimension: If you are strongly aligned or opposed to AARP's political lobbying efforts, this may be a major factor in your decision. Reviewing their public policy positions can help you decide.
- Explore Alternatives: As the comparison table shows, other organizations offer similar benefits with different political leanings. Researching alternatives like AMAC or AAA can provide a different perspective.
- Start Small: Consider the lowest-cost annual membership to start. Many membership levels offer a free second membership for a household member, essentially giving you two for the price of one. This allows you to test the benefits without a significant investment.
The Final Word
Ultimately, the wisdom of joining AARP is an individual calculation. For many, the low annual fee is a small price to pay for the array of discounts and services, especially if they are a frequent traveler or rely on particular insurance products. For others, the value proposition may be less clear or overshadowed by political differences. By carefully evaluating your personal needs against the membership's offerings, you can determine if it's the right fit for your circumstances.
For more information on programs supporting older adults, visit the National Council on Aging.
