AARP Membership Reviews: 17 Benefits, Cost & How It Works

The AARP and the AARP members have come a long way – from a single idea to being a political influence with a heavy membership across states.

The realization that old age must come should have a positive influence on how life is lived and not derail ambition. The AARP tried to help its members achieve this.

For those who probably haven’t clocked 50 yet and are wondering already what life holds for them; it’s best to think movement rather than slowing down.

Mark Twain predictably said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Do what you can now.

This article reviews AARP membership, the benefits, the cost, and how AARP works.

Introduction
What is the AARP?
Cost of AARP membership
Becoming a member
How Does AARP Work?
What Is Special About Quinquagenarians and Older Adults?
17 Benefits of AARP
AARP review
Conclusion
References
Recommendation

Introduction

Old age is not something to be feared. While some dread the mention of the word “old age,” some take it in stride.

Realizing that the time spent thinking about something you have little control over can be channeled towards more productive sources. One of such sources is the benefit of fellow old people and mankind.

I think most people do not even enter their prime until they enter old age and get to leave certain hindrances and mindsets behind. The AARP as an organization tries to deliver value to its members in as many ways as it can.

The AARP’s political influence, though viewed negatively by some, and sometimes criticized harshly is beneficial to many who feel that old age has disenfranchised them.

Learn about 21 Ways To Make Money In New York (NYC) | Untapped Tips

What is the AARP?

The AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association with a membership of more than 38 million.

Nonprofit organizations are businesses that have been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because they further a social cause and provide a public benefit.

Donations made to nonprofit organizations are typically tax-deductible to individuals and businesses that make them, and the nonprofits themselves pay no tax on the received donations or any other money earned through fundraising activities.

As a nonprofit association, the AARP must do for its member’s things that make their lives less stressful and full of joy and happiness.

Cost of AARP membership

The AARP has its way tried to make the cost of joining the organization a near-seamless one. AARP membership costs $16 a year, but there are sometimes discounts that make becoming a member easy for the cost of $20 for 2 years.

The offer of membership is open to anyone above the age of 50 and their spouse or partner.

Registering as a member comes with instant and future benefits that the member can choose to use now.

Becoming a member

Previously, becoming a member of the AARP was as easy as walking into any of the AARP centers. Now there is free access to the AARP Now App.

Joining online is fast, and once you’ve signed up and received your membership number, you can start enjoying benefits right away.

How Does AARP Work?

By optimizing the impact of its nationwide network of local chapters and experienced volunteers, the AARP provides community, information, advocacy, and educational services to its members.

The AARP has invested a lot of work in tackling issues surrounding housing issues for the old, health, work, and consumer issues.

In 2019, the AARP produced $1.70 billion in revenue, which came from a variety of endeavors, including advertising revenue from its publications, and from royalties for licensing its name and logo.

What Is Special About Quinquagenarians and Older Adults?

People above 50 typically start to feel left out of things. Most times, this feeling is not of their own making. At that age, there is marginalization that just starts an upward tick in both rural and urban communities.
Communities also lose valuable wisdom that old people can provide from their lifelong learning and meaningful years of experience.
Old age also brings with it its limitations that have made more than one-third of people above 50 need help with some daily activities.
Old age comes with diseases that start to become a bother rather fast. The kind that one most probably would be thankful to have discounts for.
The inevitability of death is one that becomes all the more true with each passing day. Budgets are created every year for old people and this inevitable passing, but it still does not do as much as we may like.

This AARP membership reveals the fact that old people need as much help as they can get.

17 Benefits of AARP

#1 – Insurance

Joining the AARP helps with insurance. Health care support, dental insurance plan, a plan to help with vision issues, a plan to help with the insurance of your pet. Vehicle insurance, life insurance, and a plan for property insurance are some of the benefits of joining the AARP.

#2 – Shopping and Groceries

One benefit of becoming a member of the AARP is the help they offer when buying clothes and accessories, flowers and gifts, and groceries.

#3 – Family Caregiving

Family caregiving is one benefit of becoming a member of the AARP. Members are guaranteed help with issues like this.

#4 – Health and Wellness

Registering as a member of the AARP gives you access to things like health and wellness services. Some are unavailable and in most cases inaccessible for many people.

#5 – Finances

The AARP also helps out with the finances of its members. The benefits of the AARP are far-reaching. AARP helps with credit, tax, and finance watch.

#6 – Travel

Travel involves assistance with the procurement of rental cars, cruises, flights and vacation packages, hotels and resorts, rail and tours, etc. This is to ensure that their members do not have issues if they need to travel.

#7 – Work and Jobs

Should a member of the AARP need a job, the organization could offer advice that could help such one get in a job. The association also helps with advice on the resumes of their member.

#8 – Technology and Wireless

The AARP helps with identity theft protection by NortonLifeLock. AARP also has dealings with AT&T to provide its members with special cellular services to make them less susceptible to attacks.

#9 – Gas and Auto Services

The AARP has the AARP Auto, the AARP Auto buying program, the AARP smart driver course, and the AARP auto insurance program from Hartford.

#10 – Restaurants

AARP helps its members with help getting in and around restaurants like the Bonefish Grill, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Joe’s Crab Shack, Landry’s seafood, and the Oceanaire seafood room.

#11 – Home and real estate

AARP assists members with real estate searches through the aid of its AARP Foundation local assistance directory and its real estate benefits with Realogy.

#12 – Entertainment

The association also helps its members with entertainment benefits. Access to special entertainment content, today’s podcast, regal movie tickets, and lots more. AARP membership can be fun too.

#13 – Community

The association also gives that feeling of community that the members are not alone. Community connections, foundations, and the various state offices help to create this feeling.

#14 – Advocacy

The AARP foundation helps with litigation. If there are things that need to be handled through court appearances or filings and are within the purview of the AARP, then they help with it.

#15 – Magazines and Resources

There are those for whom the other benefits do not relay apply, and the ready availability of discounts at the bookstore, and even the steady supply of the associations’ bulletins are all they need to feel among.

#16 – Fraud prevention

By joining the AARP membership, you get tips to spot and avoid scams like identity theft, investment fraud, and holiday scams, as well as ongoing updates from resources like Watchdog Alerts and a scam-tracking map that provides real-time alerts from law enforcement in your state.

By joining the AARP membership, you become a part of a group that engages in sponsorships that support social causes such as raising awareness of injustice in some hidden places, segregation, and raising awareness of hunger in America.

AARP review

Sampling public opinion of AARP membership has revealed that while many people do not agree with the politics of the association (be they for the elderly), many of the members and those who are soon to get into that age bracket find the offers to be quite good.

Some are simply happy with the discounts they get and their impact on their wallet, while others would like to see a lot more being done for the elderly.

The newsletters and magazines stand out for some others who, despite not wanting any other offers, are grateful for the timely information and sense of community that the association brings with it.

Conclusion

The AARP is a very large association. It uses its power to lobby and benefit its members. This review tries to establish the standing of the association in society, how it works, and how they benefit its members.

References

investopedia.com – Nonprofit Organization (NPO)
aarp.org – About AARP