What AARP Membership Offers
AARP is a nonprofit organization that focuses on issues affecting people age 50 and older. The organization has more than 38 million members across the United States. AARP membership provides access to various programs, discounts, and information resources designed for older adults and their families.
Learn About Resetting Your Google Account Access →
Members receive AARP Magazine, a publication that comes out six times per year. The magazine covers topics like health, finance, travel, and lifestyle for people over 50. Members also gain access to AARP.org, the organization's website, which offers articles, tools, and resources about retirement planning, caregiving, health topics, and other subjects relevant to older adults.
AARP negotiates discounts with many companies and service providers. These discounts cover areas including:
- Hotel and travel accommodations
- Car rentals
- Insurance products
- Pharmacy and health services
- Technology products and services
- Entertainment venues
- Financial services
The organization also provides educational webinars and online courses covering topics such as Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, financial planning, and technology skills. Many of these programs are offered at no cost to members. AARP also publishes guides and toolkits that members can use to learn about various topics affecting their lives.
According to AARP's annual reports, members save an average of $500 per year through discounts alone, though actual savings vary based on which discounts a person uses. The organization also advocates for policies affecting older adults at the federal and state levels.
Practical Takeaway: Review the types of discounts and resources that matter most to you before joining. Different members use AARP's offerings in different ways, so understanding what you might use helps you determine the value of membership for your situation.
Age Requirements and Basic Membership Terms
AARP membership is open to people who are 50 years old or older. You must be at least 50 years old at the time you join. There is no upper age limit for membership. People in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond are all welcome to join and maintain their memberships.
Get Your Free Amazon Flex Driver Information →
Standard AARP membership requires paying an annual membership fee. As of 2024, the standard membership fee is $16 per year. AARP frequently runs promotional offers, particularly for new members, where the first year of membership may be discounted to as low as $1 to $8, depending on the promotion running at the time you join. However, promotional rates are temporary, and renewal fees revert to the standard rate after the first year unless another promotion is offered.
Membership is on a per-person basis. Each individual person who wants membership must have their own account and pay their own membership fee. If you are married or living with a partner, both people would need separate memberships if both want member benefits.
AARP membership can be started at any point during the year. There is no specific enrollment period. You can join in January, June, September, or any other month. Your membership period runs for 12 months from the date you join.
AARP also offers a digital-only membership option at a lower cost than the print membership. Digital membership provides access to AARP.org and member discounts but does not include the printed AARP Magazine. This option may cost less than the standard membership option.
Membership is not required to read some AARP content online. AARP.org allows anyone to read certain articles and access some resources without a membership account. However, full member benefits require paid membership.
Practical Takeaway: If you are 50 or older, you meet the basic age requirement. Consider timing your membership to take advantage of promotional rates, but understand that you will pay the standard annual fee when you renew.
How to Become a Member
The membership process involves providing basic personal information and choosing a payment method. Most people join online through AARP's website, though you can also join by phone or mail if you prefer not to use the internet.
Get Your Free Guide to Eliminating Garlic Breath →
To join online, you visit the AARP website and look for the membership enrollment page. The website asks for information including your name, date of birth, email address, and mailing address. You will need to create a username and password for your AARP online account. This account is separate from membership itself but is used to manage your membership and access member features.
You will then select which membership option you want: standard membership with the printed magazine or digital-only membership. The website displays the current offer, whether that is the promotional rate or standard rate. You review the terms and choose to proceed.
For payment, AARP accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account withdrawals (electronic check). You enter your payment information and confirm your order. Once payment processes, you receive confirmation that membership has begun.
If you prefer to join by phone, you can call AARP's membership line. A customer service representative walks you through the same information-gathering process verbally and processes payment over the phone. The phone number for membership inquiries appears on AARP's website.
Some people receive AARP membership offers in the mail, either as postcards or letters promoting membership. These offers often contain promotional codes that you can use when joining to receive a discounted rate.
After joining, you may receive your membership card by mail within one to two weeks. Some people receive a digital membership card immediately that they can view in their online account or on the AARP mobile app.
Practical Takeaway: Choose the joining method that works best for you—online is fastest, but phone or mail options are available if you prefer. Have your payment method ready, and watch for promotional offers that might lower your first-year cost.
Understanding Member Benefits and Discounts
AARP negotiates discounts with hundreds of companies in various industries. The types of discounts available change periodically as AARP updates partnerships. To find current discounts, members use the discount search tool on AARP.org. You can search by category, company name, or the type of savings you are looking for.
Learn About Iowa Tax Refund Tracking Options →
Travel discounts are among the most commonly used AARP benefits. Hotels, rental car companies, and airlines offer reduced rates to AARP members. For example, some hotel chains offer 10 percent discounts on room rates, and car rental companies may offer similar percentages off. To use these discounts, you typically show your membership card or provide your AARP membership number when booking.
Insurance discounts are available through various providers. AARP works with insurance companies to offer discounted rates on products including auto insurance, home insurance, and supplemental health insurance products. These discounts vary by state and by insurance company, so you need to check what is available in your area.
Pharmacy discounts allow members to receive reduced prices on prescription medications at participating pharmacies. These discounts work in addition to insurance coverage. AARP also offers discounts on over-the-counter medications and health supplies.
Technology discounts help members save on computers, tablets, smartphones, and software. Best Buy offers discounts on electronics and services specifically for AARP members. Other technology companies provide similar offers.
Entertainment discounts include reduced ticket prices at theaters, museums, and attractions in some areas. Movie theaters, concert venues, and theme parks sometimes offer discounted admission for AARP members.
Financial services discounts cover areas like banking and investment services. Some banks offer fee reductions on checking accounts or higher interest rates on savings accounts for AARP members.
To use most discounts, you present your AARP membership card or provide your membership number at the time of purchase. Some discounts require you to book through a special AARP website or phone line to receive the rate.
Practical Takeaway: Search for discounts in categories you actually use—restaurants, travel, healthcare, or entertainment—before joining to see if the savings align with your spending habits. Track which discounts you use throughout the year to understand your return on membership costs.
Membership Renewal and Cancellation Options
AARP membership renews automatically on the anniversary date of your enrollment. About 30 days before your renewal