Are you looking to join AARP or wondering about AARP membership cost for seniors? You’re in the right place!
AARP, short for the American Association of Retired Persons, is a big group that helps folks 50 and older live their best lives. But don’t let the name fool you – you don’t have to be retired to join!
Let’s talk about the cost of AARP membership. For just $16 a year, you can unlock a world of benefits and discounts.
That’s less than the cost of a few fancy coffees! And here’s a sweet deal – when you renew your membership, you might even snag a discount.
AARP offers way more than just savings. You get access to helpful info on health, money, and staying active.
Plus, they fight for laws that help older adults. With nearly 38 million members, AARP has some serious clout!
AARP Membership Cost for Seniors
In this guide, we’ll dive into everything about AARP membership. We’ll look at costs, renewal options, discounts, and all the perks you get.
By the end, you’ll know if AARP is right for you. So, let’s get started!
What Is an AARP Membership?
AARP membership is like joining a big club for older adults. When you join, you get access to lots of benefits and discounts. These can help you save money and enjoy life more as you get older.
AARP has been around since 1958. A retired teacher named Ethel Percy Andrus started it. She wanted to help older people live better lives. Today, AARP has almost 38 million members. That’s a lot of people!
When you join AARP, you get:
- Discounts on many things you buy
- Help with things like health insurance and finances
- A magazine with useful information
- A voice in government on issues that matter to older adults
AARP works to make life better for people as they age. They offer help with money, health, and staying active. They also fight for laws that help older people.
The Fast Facts About AARP Membership
Let’s look at some quick facts about AARP membership:
- It costs $16 for a year
- You can add a second person in your home for free
- You get discounts on food, travel, health stuff, and fun things
- You can get special insurance through AARP
- You get AARP’s magazine, which lots of people read
These are just the basics. AARP offers a lot more, which we’ll talk about later.
About AARP
AARP has been around for a long time. Let’s learn a bit more about it:
- Started in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus
- Andrus was a retired teacher who wanted to help older people
- She started programs to help older folks save money and live better
- Now, AARP has almost 38 million members
- They have offices all over the USA
AARP’s goal is to help people enjoy life as they get older. They do this in many ways, from offering discounts to fighting for better laws for older adults.
What Are the Benefits of an AARP Membership?
Joining AARP comes with lots of perks. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Big Discounts: AARP can get good deals from big companies. This means you can save money on lots of things.
- Helpful Resources: AARP has tons of information to help you with money, health, and more.
- Insurance Options: You can get special insurance plans through AARP.
- A Voice in Government: AARP speaks up for older adults in Washington, D.C.
- Community: You join a big group of people who are in the same stage of life as you.
These benefits can help you save money and live better as you get older. Let’s look at some of these in more detail.
AARP Membership Resources
AARP’s website is full of helpful information. Here’s what you can find:
- Help with money and planning for the future
- Information about Social Security and Medicare
- Tips for staying healthy
- Legal help and advice
- Protection from scams and identity theft
- Help for people caring for family members
- Driving safety courses
All of these resources are there to help you live your best life as you get older. You can learn about staying healthy, managing your money, and staying safe.
AARP Membership Discounts
One of the best things about AARP is the discounts. You can save money on all sorts of things. Here are some areas where you can save:
- Health and wellness
- Travel
- Restaurants
- Shopping
- Entertainment
Let’s look at some of these discounts in more detail.
AARP Health and Wellness Discounts
Staying healthy is important, and AARP can help you save on health-related costs:
- Pharmacy: Save money on prescriptions at places like Kroger, Walgreens, and Walmart.
- Vision: Get half-off prescription lenses at LensCrafters and cheaper eye exams at Target Optical.
- Hearing: Get lower prices on hearing aids from HearUSA.
These discounts can add up, especially if you need regular medications or eye care.
AARP Travel Discounts
If you like to travel, AARP membership can help you save:
- Car Rentals: Save up to 30% at Avis, Budget, and Payless.
- Hotels: Get up to 25% off at places like Hilton, Radisson, and Best Western.
- Vacations: Save up to $349 on vacation packages through AARP’s Travel Center.
- Gas: While there’s no direct discount, you can earn extra points at Exxon if you link your accounts.
These discounts can make traveling more affordable, whether you’re renting a car, staying in a hotel, or taking a big vacation.
AARP Financial Discounts
AARP also offers ways to save on financial services:
- Banking: Get special rates on loans and savings accounts from places like Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
- Credit Cards: Get an AARP credit card with special perks.
These financial benefits can help you manage your money better as you get older.
AARP Technology and Wireless Discounts
AARP can help you save on tech and phone services:
- Phone Plans: Get discounts on wireless plans and waived fees from companies like Consumer Cellular and AT&T.
- Online Security: Save up to 25% on protection from identity theft and computer viruses with Norton 360 and Norton LifeLock.
These discounts can help you stay connected and safe online for less money.
AARP Retail and Grocery Discounts
You can also save on everyday shopping with AARP:
- Gifts: Save 20% on online purchases from places like Harry and David and 1-800-FLOWERS.
- Groceries: Get free printable coupons for many brands through AARP’s Grocery Coupon Center.
These discounts can help you save on both special gifts and everyday groceries.
AARP Restaurant Discounts
Eating out can be cheaper with AARP:
- Save 10% at places like Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Bonefish Grill.
- Save 15% at Denny’s.
These discounts can make dining out a bit more affordable.
AARP Insurance Options
AARP offers special insurance options for members:
- Dental insurance from Delta Dental
- Home and car insurance from The Hartford
- Life insurance from New York Life
- Medicare plans from UnitedHealthcare
- Pet insurance from Petplan
- Long-term care insurance from New York Life
These insurance options can help protect you and your family as you get older.
AARP Membership Requirements
You might be wondering who can join AARP. Here’s what you need to know:
- Full Membership: Anyone 50 or older can be a full member.
- Associate Membership: People under 50 can join too, but some benefits might be limited.
- Free Secondary Membership: Full members can add a spouse or partner for free.
So, you don’t have to be retired or even 50 to join AARP. They welcome adults of all ages who want to plan for their future.
How to Join AARP?
Joining AARP is easy. You can do it in a few ways:
- Online: Go to AARP’s membership website and sign up. It’s quick and you get a digital membership card right away.
- By Phone: Call 866-654-5572 to talk to someone and sign up.
- By Mail: If you get AARP info in the mail, you can fill out the form and mail it back.
When you join online, you can start using your benefits right away with your digital card. Your physical card will come in the mail in about three weeks.
How Much Does AARP Membership Cost?
AARP membership is pretty affordable. Here’s what it costs:
- Standard Price: $16 per year
- First Year Special: $12 for the first year if you sign up for automatic renewal
- Three-Year Plan: Save 10% if you sign up for three years
- Five-Year Plan: Save 21% if you sign up for five years
Remember, you can add a second person to your household for free. This makes AARP membership even more of a good deal.
Is There a Way to Get a Free AARP Membership?
While AARP membership isn’t free, there are ways to get extra value:
- Free Secondary Membership: You can add another person to your home for free.
- Free Gifts: Sometimes AARP offers gifts when you join, like speakers or travel bags.
- Walgreens Offer: Sometimes Walgreens offers coupons for free AARP membership. Look for these on your receipt.
While these aren’t exactly free memberships, they can help you get more for your money.
Is an AARP Membership Worth It?
Now, the big question: Is joining AARP worth it? Here’s what to think about:
- Discounts: If you use the discounts often, you can save more than the membership costs.
- Resources: AARP offers lots of helpful information about aging, health, and money.
- Insurance: The special insurance options might save you money.
- Advocacy: AARP fights for laws that help older adults.
Whether AARP is worth it depends on how much you use the benefits. If you travel a lot or eat out often, the discounts alone might make it worth it. If you need help with things like Medicare or financial planning, the resources could be very valuable.
If you’re not sure, you could try it for a year and see how much you use it. That way, you can decide if it’s right for you.
Final Thoughts on AARP
AARP offers a lot for a small membership fee. With discounts, resources, and advocacy, it can be a big help as you get older. The fact that 38 million people are members shows that many find it valuable.
Whether AARP is right for you depends on your needs and lifestyle. If you think you’ll use the discounts and resources, it could be a great choice. If you’re not sure, try it for a year and see how it goes.
Remember, AARP is about more than just saving money. It’s about helping people enjoy life as they get older. From health tips to travel discounts, AARP aims to make your later years some of your best years.
FAQs:
Here are some common questions about AARP membership:
- Q: Will my spouse or partner get a card too?
A: Yes, you can add a spouse or partner for free. Their card will come in about 2-3 weeks.
- Q: Can I get a discount on a medical alert device?
A: Yes, AARP offers discounts on some medical alert systems, like Lively and Lifeline.
- Q: What are AARP Rewards?
A: AARP Rewards is a program where you earn points for doing things like taking quizzes or tracking your exercise. You can use these points for deals, gift cards, or donations.
- Q: How old do I need to be to join AARP?
A: You can be a full member at 50. But even if you’re under 50, you can join as an associate member.
- Q: Can I cancel my membership if I don’t like it?
A: Yes, you can cancel your AARP membership at any time.
- Q: How soon can I use my benefits after I join?
A: If you join online, you get a digital card right away and can start using your benefits immediately.
- Q: Does AARP offer local events?
A: Yes, AARP often has local events and activities for members.
- Q: Can I use AARP discounts with other coupons?
A: It depends on the store or service. Some places let you use AARP discounts with other deals, but some don’t.
- Q: Do I need to show my AARP card to get discounts?
A: Usually, yes. It’s a good idea to keep your card with you or have the digital version on your phone.
- Q: Can I give an AARP membership as a gift?
A: Yes, you can buy a gift membership for someone who is 50 or older.
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Conclusion
AARP membership can be a great choice for many people 50 and older. For a small yearly fee, you get access to lots of discounts, helpful information, and a voice in issues that matter to older adults.
The discounts alone can save you more than the cost of membership, especially if you travel or eat out often. The resources on health, money, and aging can be very helpful as you plan for your future.
But AARP is more than just discounts and information. It’s a community of millions of people in the same stage of life as you. It’s an organization that fights for your interests in the government. And it’s a way to stay active and engaged as you get older.
Whether AARP is right for you depends on your needs and lifestyle. If you think you’ll use the benefits, it could be well worth the cost. If you’re not sure, you can always try it for a year and see how it goes.
Remember, growing older doesn’t mean slowing down. With the right resources and support, your later years can be some of your best. AARP aims to help make that happen.
So, take a look at what AARP offers. Think about how it fits with your life and your plans. And if it seems right for you, give it a try. You might find that AARP membership is a valuable part of your journey into your 50s and beyond.
