The AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) is one of the leading nonprofit organizations for those over 50 years old, though many younger people sign up as well. AARP has a wide range of membership benefits for seniors and young people alike. With a membership, individuals will receive many benefits and discounts that make it worth it compared with the low annual fees.
About AARP
Started in 1958 by a retired high school principal, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP started by focusing its efforts on improving the life of retirees, promoting senior independence, taking the lead in shaping the role of seniors in society, and improving the overall image of aging.
As the AARP grew over the years, it began expanding its offerings to include classes and training programs for its members as well as lobbying the federal government for senior concerns. Most notably, it fought to reduce age-based discrimination by successfully pushing for the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) to be signed into law in 1967, and later opening the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center in 1973, the first gerontology school of its kind.
Is AARP Worth It?
For many people, AARP is worth it if you want an affordable membership club that offers several discounts and exclusive deals including shopping, travel, entertainment, insurance, tech, and dining. You may also be surprised to hear that you don’t have to be 50 or older to sign up for AARP, making this a great membership option for any household who can take advantage of the many discounts.
What Are The Main Benefits of AARP?
AARP strives to make membership worth it and there are many benefits in a range of categories. For an exhaustive list of the benefits of AARP, visit its website.
| Benefit Categories | Examples of Discounts Available |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% off at Chart House, Bonefish Grill, Cinnabon, Outback Steakhouse, and Carrabba's Italian Grill; 15% off at Denny’s; 20% off at Papa John’s Pizza |
| Shopping | Discounts on Walmart memberships, Naked Wines, The UPS Store, Clarks Shoes, Plants by FTD and ProFlowers, groceries from Daily Harvest |
| Travel | Rental car discounts from Avis, Budget, and Payless; onboard credits for Holland America Line; numerous discounts at hotels and resorts across the country including Best Western, Clarion, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and DoubleTree |
| Entertainment | Discounts on streaming services like Paramount+; tickets for Disneyland, Universal Studios, and other theme parks; 30% off a yearly subscription from Ancestry |
| Finances and Insurance | Access to special rates on annuities and CDs; custom long-term care options from New York Life; exclusive dental and vision plans; discounts at pharmacies like Walgreens, Kroger, and Walmart |
| Automotive | Discount on auto coverage; roadside protection from Allstate; fuel savings from ExxonMobil; 15% off a Valvoline instant oil change |
| Technology | 53% off Norton identity theft protection; cellular discounts from AT&T and Consumer Cellular; 25% off Alexa Emergency Assist from Amazon |
| Family Care Giving | 15% off Lifeline Medical Alert Systems; discounts on CareLinks in-home care |
In addition to the listed benefits for national chains and businesses, AARP also connects its members to deals from local establishments, offers free live streams of plays, movies, and concerts, and membership into their exclusive online community for virtual learning opportunities. You’ll also gain access to free resources like the AARP Job Board, Resume Advisor, the Skills Builder for Work online course, and the AARP virtual Fitness Center that gives you access to workout videos and other fitness tips and tricks.
As a member, you’ll also get a free subscription to AARP The Magazine which has the highest circulation in the US with an astounding 38.7 million readers, and you can add a second household membership to your account for free. Lastly, you can participate in the AARP's Rewards Program where you can earn points to redeem for prizes, gift cards, or sweepstakes by completing “Rewards” challenges like tracking your fitness goals or trying your hand at brain games designed to keep your mind sharp as you age.
How Much Does An AARP Membership Cost?
| Membership Type | Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Auto Renewal) | $12 | 25% off the standard rate |
| Standard Rate | $16 per year | – |
| Three-Year Membership | $43.20 (10% off standard rate) | $4.80 saved over three years |
| Five-Year Membership | $63.20 (21% off standard rate) | $16.80 saved over five years |
| Veterans and Military | $9.12 per year | 43% off the standard rate |
AARP has online discounts available for those interested in a membership. Currently, memberships are available for just $12 for the first year when you sign up for automatic renewal. Typically, a standard, non-discounted rate is $16 a year. There are other offers for those who want to sign up for three-year or five-year memberships, which will save you 10% or 21%, respectively. There are also veterans and military discounts available that can save you 43% off the list price
With all memberships, you’ll receive an additional household membership that can be used by any adult in your home, meaning you’re essentially doubling your savings. Furthermore, memberships can be canceled at any time without penalty.
👉 Become an AARP member and start saving today!
AARP Age Requirement & Membership Rules
Although AARP focuses on serving members who are 50 and older, any adult over the age of 18 can join. However, there may be some included benefits that can only be used by those over 50 such as insurance products that are targeted at seniors.
That said, the vast majority of benefits, from dining out to finding a rental car to reduced admission to Disneyland can be used by any member, regardless of age.
What Are The Downsides Of AARP?
There aren’t a lot of drawbacks to an AARP membership due to its relatively low annual cost and low commitment. However, when you’re trying to save money, you know that every penny counts and if you don’t think you’ll use the benefits listed, then it may not be worth it.
Others may take issue with the lobbying efforts of the organization and won’t want to support a group that doesn’t represent their values. For these people, you may consider looking into other senior advocacy groups that we’ve listed below.
Some current members have said they feel overwhelmed by the amount of mail and marketing they receive, so if you’re hesitant to take on yet another subscription you may want to rethink a membership with AARP.
What Are Some Good Alternatives to AARP?
For those who are interested in joining a senior-focused organization, but don’t think AARP is quite the right fit for them, consider these alternatives:
AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) was founded in 2007 and bills itself as the “conservative alternative to AARP.” The AMAC is also a lobbying group in Washington that pushes for conservative legislative reforms including repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Like AARP, they also offer their members discounts on travel, entertainment, insurance, dining, tech, and automotive services.
Rakuten
Rakuten is a shopping portal run by a Japanese company that serves consumers all over the world. There is no minimum age limit to join and membership is free. The service offers its members a cash-back reward (typically 1% to 3%) that’s sent to them every three months when they make purchases from partner companies. This is not a senior-specific group, though it does provide some of the same savings that AARP and AMAC do.
60 Plus
The 60 Plus Association is a senior advocacy group that works to promote access to medical care, lower taxes, employment opportunities, and budgeting for retirement. The nonprofit claims it’s non-partisan, though it tends to promote conservative ideas and the Republican party. Unlike AARP and AMAC, 60plus is not a membership-based organization and does not offer discounts, though supporters of 60plus can donate to their efforts.
The Seniors Coalition
The Senior Coalition (TSC) is a grassroots lobbying group that seeks to improve the lives of seniors in the US. TSC currently has over four million supporters across the country and touts itself to be one of the largest senior advocacy groups in the nation.
Local Charities and Nonprofits
At the local level, you’ll find many nonprofit groups working to advocate for the needs of seniors. A quick internet search of your area should turn up multiple organizations aimed at helping seniors
Who Should Join AARP?
Really, anyone should join AARP who thinks they can get more than $12 a year in savings from the discounts that come with the membership.
Membership may be particularly appealing to those who enjoy traveling since there are countless deals including up to 35% off Avis car rentals, $65 to $200 off British Airway tickets, and 10% off hotels across the country. That means that with just one trip, you’ll more than make up your yearly membership fee. And, with no AARP membership age restrictions, anyone can take advantage of the deals.
Other seniors may wish to join for access to online communities of support that can help them with everything from finance to employment to health care.
Is AARP a Scam?
When you see the benefits and discounts available to members for such a small yearly fee, it’s easy to think that the whole thing’s a scam, but this is simply not true. AARP is a legitimate organization that earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been a respected name in the advocacy community for 65 years now.
Does AARP Really Save You Money?
AARP can absolutely save you money, but only if you’re able to take advantage of the discounts available. If you’re concerned that you may not save money in the long run, you should go to the AARP website to review all the member benefits beforehand to ensure you’ll use them.
Is AARP Legit?
AARP is a legitimate organization that’s been advocating for seniors for 65 years and saving money for Americans of all ages.
