AARP - should I join?

[Arctic Fox]

I know that membership offers many potential benefits and discounts, but:

1) of how many of these do you take advantage?

2) are the same benefits/discounts available through other sources anyway?

Thank you

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I mostly just take advantage of their rewards points to get free magazines, and discounts at Carabba's. It adds up.

[tophcfa]

I know that membership offers many potential benefits and discounts, but:

1) of how many of these do you take advantage?

2) are the same benefits/discounts available through other sources anyway?

Thank you

Membership is cheap and they send you stuff to read that is sometimes interesting. Only real direct benefit I see is hotel discounts that are redundant if you have AAA. I support them because they are a strong advocate to NOT have Social Security and Medicare gutted, which will constantly be on the table going forward given our country’s unsustainable debt.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Membership is cheap and they send you stuff to read that is sometimes interesting. Only real direct benefit I see is hotel discounts that are redundant if you have AAA. I support them because they are a strong advocate to NOT have Social Security and Medicare gutted, which will constantly be on the table going forward given our country’s unsustainable debt.

:bigbow:

oooof. . . excellent points for everyone in TV. . . .

[Babubhat]

No longer useful. Most discounts that were worthwhile are gone

[mulligan]

Also, keep in mind that they are owned by an insurance company.

[TOTV Specialist]

Just a kind reminder for all users to remain on topic and to remember site rules. The OP is seeking advice about AARP, so leave the political commentary out of it. Thank you.

[frose]

look into who backs/finances it.. I can't write what this organization is, i will be in totv jail again.

[Dana1963]

Also, keep in mind that they are owned by an insurance company.
Another opinion spouting a wealth of misinformation.
Unless proof of ownership can be confirmed. Currently, they help members by providing discounts thru United Healthcare because of their membership numbers, does not mean they are owned by insurance company. Also Home Car Rv insurance is provided thru The Hartford Insurance Company, which is cheaper than I can get from USAA.

[Pinball wizard]

An alternative to AARP is AMAC. Lots of discounts and benefits but leans in a different direction.

AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens (http://www.amac.us)

[Kenswing]

I see no reason in joining AARP.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Also, keep in mind that they are owned by an insurance company.

They are not owned by an insurance company. They are in a partnership with UnitedHealthCare and have been since 1997.

It's a mutually beneficial partnership, which also benefits seniors who participate in both.

I'm not old enough for medicare, and so I get no benefit from the partnership at all. But AARP is one of the strongest lobbyists for Seniors, senior rights, legislation to protect seniors from abuse and crime, and programs for seniors at a statewide and local community level. So I'm fine supporting them for that reason even though my only real benefits are the magazines and a few restaurant discounts.

[Arctic Fox]

Thank you all for your thoughts (and to Admin for clearing out the "extras")

I have decided to join for a year as the saving on one car rental from Budget (compared to my current cheapest source) will more than pay for it.

Oh, and they're offering a free bag, too!

[JohnN]

AARP gives a $5/month discount on Consumer Cellular. If you use them, that pays for itself.

[HapEvillager]

I used my AARP card yesterday for a 10% discount at Bonefish. I have also used it for car rentals.

[bobeaston]

Know what you are supporting: AARP is a pimp for United Healthcare, and United Healthcare was the central architect for ObamaCare. "If you like your doctor..."

[gbs317]

I know that membership offers many potential benefits and discounts, but:

1) of how many of these do you take advantage?

2) are the same benefits/discounts available through other sources anyway?

Thank you

I always sent my friends a one year membership and a pill box when they hit 50 years old. We are all in our late sixties now and most, including myself, still have and use both.

[tsmall22204]

I belong to AARP. My problem with them is that after you join they keep asking for money. They have gotten as bad as NRA. I dropped my NRA membership over that and will probably not renew AARP.

[BlueStarAirlines]

The bottom line is AARP is a for-profit organization whose primary focus is to make profits. Secondary is advocating for those over 50. While this could be overlooked because of all their coupons and discounts, these are available from many other sources.

I could see no reason to join. They are like Costco where there is a membership fee, they try to sell you stuff, and instead of free food samples you get coupons and discounts at other retailers.

If you really want to fund an organization that advocates for seniors, join AMAC (link previously posted). If you really like the coupons and discounts, join AAA. If you want to help fund a corporation, then join AARP. The CEO make around $1.8 million last year, so I'm sure he is grateful.

[Rwirish]

Inexpensive and worth it imo. Support their efforts fighting the TRUST ACT WHICH would cot social security and Medicare benefits.

[Nell57]

AARP gives a $5/month discount on Consumer Cellular. If you use them, that pays for itself.

Let me know if you are still receiving a $5 discount. They reduced mine to $3.50 about a year ago. (Love Consumer Cellular…quality service at a terrific price.)
I agree that AARP lobbies strongly for senior rights. They deserve our support

[banjobob]

I have had it for several years hardly ever used , consider not renewing every year and won’t renew it this year.

[Luggage]

Most hotel discounts are false. You should always check your pricing with and without putting in the AAA or the AArp codes

[retiredguy123]

I belong to AARP. My problem with them is that after you join they keep asking for money. They have gotten as bad as NRA. I dropped my NRA membership over that and will probably not renew AARP.
That won't stop them from asking for money. It may cause them to ask more often. I have never joined, and they have been asking me for money ever since I turned 50.

[jbrown132]

I know that membership offers many potential benefits and discounts, but:

1) of how many of these do you take advantage?

2) are the same benefits/discounts available through other sources anyway?

Thank you
I was a member for about 10 years. Did not join the last time my subscription was due. I felt I got the same benefits from AAA and I know they are supposed to be an advocate for the retired but in my opinion they don’t seem to be very effective. Except for SS and Medicare, which they had nothing to do with, I cannot think of anything they have done for the elderly.

[FromDC]

I belong to AARP. Their magazine and newspaper have good, informative articles. I have been a member for a year.

Call their Customer Service at 888-687-2277 to opt-out of their third party marketing and donation solicitations. Best call I ever made! Their opt-out process really works.

[MandoMan]

An alternative to AARP is AMAC. Lots of discounts and benefits but leans in a different direction.

AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens (http://www.amac.us)

From the first page of that AMAC link: “AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with member benefits at all levels. We need you. America needs you.” The direction is clear.

I joined AARP when I got here, but now I just toss everything they mail me without even looking at it.

[WindyCityzen]

Also, keep in mind that they are owned by an insurance company.

Incorrect. AARP has relationships with insurance carriers and derives royalty income from the carriers only.

[joelfmi]

No longer useful. Most discounts that were worthwhile are gone Thank for your transparent comment.

[MidWestIA]

The newsletter & magazine give you insights for our age you won't get anywhere else

[ThirdOfFive]

I belong to AARP. My problem with them is that after you join they keep asking for money. They have gotten as bad as NRA. I dropped my NRA membership over that and will probably not renew AARP.
Agree. I dropped AARP about 10 years ago, not long after joining in fact, due to the absolute flood of unwanted mail not just from AARP but also from other sources that could have only gotten my address and some other info if AARP had given (sold?) it to them, and also to the fact that their constant angling for money was beyond tiresome. Plus, discounts available these days in many cases are simply senior discounts, and you don't need an AARP card for those.

[TedfromGA]

AARP gives a $5/month discount on Consumer Cellular. If you use them, that pays for itself.

That is the only reason I use AARP. I also belong to AMAC as they lean in the direction that aligns with me.

[Haggar]

There are AARP discounts available at Bonefish, Outback, Dennys and other restaurants.

For Eyes Discount for belonging to AARP was larger than the annual cost of AARP.

I go to Bonefish & Outback many time a year

Some of their articles in their magazines are excellent.

For a relatively low cost this "investment" is worth it.

[montagnard1969]

AARP Comment

My wife joined and by default I am a member. I have contacted them regarding their advertisers and their tactics regarding their “AARP discounts”. The issue for me is using a group as a sounding board to obtain business when in fact the so-called discounts amount to a ploy to entice people to buy under the group name. People then perceive the business represents a true discount, when actually it is no better than a person could obtain on their own. Some of these businesses tactics are less than straight forward in dealing with the customer through their advertising or sales presentations.

I also have a negative opinion of a group that represents such a diversity in membership but seems to concentrate on smaller groups within their membership to focus attention on. I have no issue with being inclusive, however I don’t like a particular groups lifestyle or race being constantly put in focus. It appears to be that this group is giving its members the opinion that these groups are more important than the greater majority of the membership. I personally do not care about these small groups, but I do object to this organization promoting these groups as being acceptable above all others. The majority may not share their lifestyle or race, but these small groups are being made to appear more worthy of consideration than others in the organization.

For me it comes down to this group not making me feel like a valued member through its advertisers and opinions which do not align with my personal opinions or perspective.

[fgaba1949]

Also, keep in mind that they are owned by an insurance company.

AARP is NOW an insurance company hiding under the AARP umbrella

[JP]

AARP Comment

My wife joined and by default I am a member. I have contacted them regarding their advertisers and their tactics regarding their “AARP discounts”. The issue for me is using a group as a sounding board to obtain business when in fact the so-called discounts amount to a ploy to entice people to buy under the group name. People then perceive the business represents a true discount, when actually it is no better than a person could obtain on their own. Some of these businesses tactics are less than straight forward in dealing with the customer through their advertising or sales presentations.

I also have a negative opinion of a group that represents such a diversity in membership but seems to concentrate on smaller groups within their membership to focus attention on. I have no issue with being inclusive, however I don’t like a particular groups lifestyle or race being constantly put in focus. It appears to be that this group is giving its members the opinion that these groups are more important than the greater majority of the membership. I personally do not care about these small groups, but I do object to this organization promoting these groups as being acceptable above all others. The majority may not share their lifestyle or race, but these small groups are being made to appear more worthy of consideration than others in the organization.

For me it comes down to this group not making me feel like a valued member through its advertisers and opinions which do not align with my personal opinions or perspective.

Couldn't agree with you more. Their agenda is not mine and hence I dropped the membership actually years ago. It used to be a good organization believe it or not.

[manaboutown]

Couldn't agree with you more. Their agenda is not mine and hence I dropped the membership actually years ago. It used to be a good organization believe it or not.

I joined AARP when I hit 55 for the discounts. When I got on medicare at age 65 I enrolled in its United healthcare supplemental health and prescription insurance plans. I rarely have needed a prescription but the health insurance supplement seems to pay most charges (of which there have been few) just fine. Although I have other options my feeling remains that AARP enrolls so many people in its insurance plans they will continue into the future.

Actually I initially enjoyed the AARP magazine and the discounts when I remembered to ask for them but its imperatives drifted over the years and went from merely being offensive to quite repulsive to me. When I found I could drop the membership and keep the health insurance I did so.

[Boomer]

AAA and AARP were redundant for road trip hotel stays. Couldn’t use both.

Then we needed a tow truck. Trying to get AAA was a joke. Fortunately, we were back home at the time and knew the territory well, so we finally just called a known towing business, not AAA connected. They got there fast.

Your experience might be different. But we dropped AAA and kept AARP for the hotels and their interesting reading sometimes.

BUT, to those of you who think your Medicare is being protected by those you admire so much, please take the time to expand your sources of information by googling the phrase “plan to privatize Medicare.” Get the whole picture. The plan to privatize Medicare is alive and lurking.

Most lobbyists have bottomless pockets and the insurance industry is loaded. Politics is a lucrative business for the self-serving. (said Boomer, stating the obvious) Therefore, I have no problem with a watchdog on my Medicare — yeah, I know, those watchdogs are lobbyists, too. . .

And, yes, AARP is connected with United Healhcare for all those choices of types of plans. And, yes, insurance companies now get a piece of the Medicare action. BUT, for now, ‘choice’ is the operative word.

Privatization of Medicare would hamstring your right to choose the type of Medicare coverage you want.

Some now choose to have an Advantage plan where the private insurance companies get paid directly by Medicare to take on the risk, turning over total management of your healthcare to those highly profitable private companies. Granted, the premiums are less expensive than having Medicare as the primary and your choice of a supplement as the secondary. And Advantage plans seem to work fine for some. BUT, they were allowed to choose an Advantage plan.

AND, you can bet your sweet bippy that if Medicare were to be privatized, there would be no more choice of having Medicare as primary with the secondary plan of your choosing.

But. . .most “believers” will not bother to look between the lines of those promises to protect Medicare. Be careful what you wish for — and please read up on this stuff.

But (sigh) I will not kid myself. Those who need to recognize this will never bother to learn what they do not want to learn. . .

And, btw, I guess I should not really care if some choose to go like lambs to the slaughter believing those promises to “protect” Medicare — but I do care because as they go — so go the rest of us — so I have to keep trying to get the believers to learn more about what could be in their future. Please understand that it all depends on what the word ‘protect’ means in those promises. Words matter — as does the nuance of words.

Cassandra Boomer (Medicare, Primary, Plan F Supplement)

[richl]

AARP Medicare Supplemental Plan F is great and worth joining AARP for.

[coffeebean]

There are AARP discounts available at Bonefish, Outback, Dennys and other restaurants.


I know about the three you mentioned. What other restaurants?

[Almanurse1]

You can get a one-time only 50% discount from AARP for your Ancestry Account. My yearly Ancestry membership is $400.00 (I’m subscribed to the “All World” option) so it was a significant discount for me.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I know about the three you mentioned. What other restaurants?

AARP(R) Member Benefits: Browse All Discounts & Programs (https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/?category=restaurants)

Also, if you ever buy anything at Walgreen's you can link your Walgreens rewards card with AARP and get a % back on purchases.

AARP also provides free tax services, which is a free community service to anyone (paperwork prep and use of office space for volunteer prep workers paid for by AARP dues).

There are benefits that aren't worth the effort, such as airfare and hotel discounts (often you can find better pricing without applying a discount code at all, and the discount is only off "rack rate")

They are also a huge resource for Senior advocacy.

[manaboutown]

I just read an article on AARP I cannot provide a link to here as it contains some observations and comments which could be construed to be political. It seems AARP generated over $1.5B income last year, about half from its insurance sales commissions.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The bottom line is AARP is a for-profit organization whose primary focus is to make profits. Secondary is advocating for those over 50. While this could be overlooked because of all their coupons and discounts, these are available from many other sources.

I could see no reason to join. They are like Costco where there is a membership fee, they try to sell you stuff, and instead of free food samples you get coupons and discounts at other retailers.

If you really want to fund an organization that advocates for seniors, join AMAC (link previously posted). If you really like the coupons and discounts, join AAA. If you want to help fund a corporation, then join AARP. The CEO make around $1.8 million last year, so I'm sure he is grateful.

I'm sure SHE works her butt off to earn every cent of her compensation. I'm sure if SHE were to disparage YOUR company SHE would at least do the minimal work to find out who your company's CEO is, first.

Her name is Jo Ann Jenkins. And yes, even big non-profit organizations pay people. Not all of them are volunteer gigs.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I just read an article on AARP I cannot provide a link to here as it contains some observations and comments which could be construed to be political. It seems AARP generated over $1.5B income last year, about half from its insurance sales commissions.

Instead of "reading an article on AARP" that offers opinions about where AARP gets its funding, you could just look at the AARP's actual financial documents. They're available to the public, here's the link:

AARP Annual & Financial Reports- AARP, AARP Foundation and AARP Services (https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/company/annual-reports/)

[manaboutown]

///

[Madelaine Amee]

This thread has really just turned into a political rant. If you are a Conservative you are against AARP and if you are a Liberal you are for AARP.

I have just one question for all of you: If you are a Conservative do you buy and use AARP United Health Care?

I bought into Plan J when AARP first started offering United Health care and I am grandfahered in the program, hopefully, for the rest of my life. It is exceptional insurance. It is expensive, but when you need a really good insurance company this one is up there with the best plans offered.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

We are members mostly because I used their auto insurance carrier AARP Hartford which is an excellent carrier. I do not agree with their Liberal Political agendas at all. We are also members of AMAC which is a conservative organization. Both are very inexpensive and have benefits.

[Arctic Fox]

This thread has really just turned into a political rant.

For a change :icon_wink:

I have no political affiliations; I don't concern myself with what other people earn; and I am sufficiently strong-willed to throw away junk mail and ignore pleas for money.

I do, however, like to save money whenever possible (and legal, maybe) and the links and information which many of you have sent me in this thread have persuaded me to sign up for a year and see how it works out.

Maybe if a Moderator is reading this s/he could close the thread as it has done its job.

Thank you, all.

[spd2918]

You should always check out a group's political affiliations before joining, or you could be funding your foes.

[HIgolfers]

You don’t have to be a member of AARP to use their health insurance.

[frose]

wake up.. the one who backs this aarp crap is ruining this country. I can't say anymore ..