[Arctic Fox]

You may recall that, several months ago, I sought advice here on whether or not joining the AARP was worthwhile.

Opinion was split but many saw it as just a way to market other products.

Well, I benefitted from discounted car rental rates but on returning to TV after several months I found that over half of my mail was from AARP - car insurance, life insurance etc.

I have no problem throwing it in the trash, but they are certainly keeping the USPS in business.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I have always considered AARP to be an insurance company disguised as an advocacy for Seniors.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

You may recall that, several months ago, I sought advice here on whether or not joining the AARP was worthwhile.

Opinion was split but many saw it as just a way to market other products.

Well, I benefitted from discounted car rental rates but on returning to TV after several months I found that over half of my mail was from AARP - car insurance, life insurance etc.

I have no problem throwing it in the trash, but they are certainly keeping the USPS in business.

Here's a hint. If you get unwanted mail solicitations (from AARP or any other source) that provides you with return envelope that you don't have to stamp, just return the application form or other material (blank, of course) and send it back. They have to pay postage on those returns and if they get enough of them, it might discourage the garbage mail.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

I have always considered AARP to be an insurance company disguised as an advocacy for Seniors.

Wrong - they simply market insurance from other carriers and get compensated from those carriers. New York Life, United Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha etc.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

You may recall that, several months ago, I sought advice here on whether or not joining the AARP was worthwhile.

Opinion was split but many saw it as just a way to market other products.

Well, I benefitted from discounted car rental rates but on returning to TV after several months I found that over half of my mail was from AARP - car insurance, life insurance etc.

I have no problem throwing it in the trash, but they are certainly keeping the USPS in business.

I haven't followed them in years, but once upon a time, they're claimed to back seniors, but supported politicians that didn't. So, I cancelled my membership and never looked back. I never found any financial justification for being a member, there are many other ways to save as much or more.

[Babubhat]

It’s a marketing company with a boring magazine. Unless it’s free, not for me

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

It’s a marketing company with a boring magazine. Unless it’s free, not for me

Actually I find the magazine to be very good and their bulletins are even better.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

I haven't followed them in years, but once upon a time, they're claimed to back seniors, but supported politicians that didn't. So, I cancelled my membership and never looked back. I never found any financial justification for being a member, there are many other ways to save as much or more.

agreed

[retiredguy123]

I once read a legal advice article in their magazine where a 68 year old woman wanted to sell a property, but she was afraid that the Government would make her pay off her student loan. The lawyer gave her advice about how to avoid paying off the loan, instead of telling her that she is a deadbeat and to pay off the loan. I don't like AARP.

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Here's a hint. If you get unwanted mail solicitations (from AARP or any other source) that provides you with return envelope that you don't have to stamp, just return the application form or other material (blank, of course) and send it back. They have to pay postage on those returns and if they get enough of them, it might discourage the garbage mail.

It keeps the trash to the energy plant fueled. I pay for trash collection whether I use it or not so when I return just doing my part to keep energy rates low as possible.

[Babubhat]

My bulletin makes it 10 feet from mailbox to trash can. Not paid in years yet it still comes

[manaboutown]

I joined way back when I turned 50 for the discounts, kept the membership for a while primarily for their supplemental health insurance once I got on Medicare at age 65. Then I discovered I did not need the membership to keep the insurance so I dropped my membership as AARP was certainly not representing my interests in any other manner.

[gatorbill1]

I have gotten some good discounts on hotel rooms using them. Paid for itself many times over.

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Wrong - they simply market insurance from other carriers and get compensated from those carriers. New York Life, United Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha etc.

Independent insurance agencies, which are not insurance companies either, sell insurance policies for multiple insurance companies. AARP is nothing more than an independent insurance agency.

As far as discounts at motels/hotels, most also give discounts for AAA membership, active and retired military, and federal and state government employees. I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I'm most familiar with. I've found that it doesn't matter what organization the hotel accepts it is the same percentage for all of them.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Wrong - they simply market insurance from other carriers and get compensated from those carriers. New York Life, United Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha etc.

We get our auto insurance up north for both my truck and my wife’s Honda from the Hartford/AARP and get excellent rates. Unfortunately, they won’t write a policy on our Florida car.