Is AARP Worth It?

As you approach your fifties, ads for benefit programs for retirees start popping up everywhere. While you may groan the first time you get mail from AARP, you’ll likely learn to love the organization and all the benefits it offers seniors. AARP membership gets you more than just a discount at IHOP; it’s well-known for saving its members money and providing unique benefits suitable for differing lifestyles.

If you’re over 50 and on the fence about joining AARP, you may want to take into consideration the following benefits.

How to Get an AARP Membership?

The quickest approach to become an AARP member is to go to their website and select the Join option. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday if you want to finish your registration over the phone, are interested in a lifetime membership, or just prefer to speak to someone.

AARP Membership Application Form

You will be prompted to input information such your first and last name, date of birth, and address on the AARP website’s membership registration form. If you want the free secondary household membership, you will be required to supply information about your husband or partner. You must next accept the AARP terms and conditions and select a membership term of one, three, or five years.

You will be taken to a billing page to finish the sign-up process after submitting the form. Your membership card may take a few weeks to come in the mail, but you may access your benefits right now using the digital version of the card that is accessible via the AARP website or mobile app.

AARP Membership Login

You will need to register a username and password in order to create an online account once you have joined AARP. After completing this procedure, signing in is simple. Your username and password must be entered on the AARP website before you can access your membership and discount details.

Benefits of AARP Membership

Due to its popularity, you, like many others, may assume that the AARP is a government initiative. But, it’s not AARP is a non-profit organization. It was established for Americans approaching retirement age or those already retired. The first year membership subscription will set you back $12 (a 25 percent discount) if you sign up for auto-pay. After the first year, the annual renewal fee is $16. Or, you can pay $43 for a three-year membership or $63 for five years.

The membership process is straightforward, and once you’re part of AARP, you have access to various tools and benefits created exclusively for retirees. With your membership, you also become eligible for membership rewards through the AARP Rewards Program, which include sweepstakes, discount gift-cards, local deals, and more.

AARP Discounts

Some of the most attractive benefits of AARP are the terrific discounts provided to members across a wide range of industries nationwide. Some of the most prominent hotel chains in America, such as the Hilton, Ascend Hotel Collection, and Best Western Hotel and Resorts provide a straight fifteen percent discount to AARP members. The same goes for a lot of restaurant chains such as Denny’s, Joe’s Crab Shack, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and more. The Regal Entertainment Group also partners with the AARP, and all of their theatres nationwide provide a steep discount to AARP members. Shopping discounts include qualified AT&T wireless plans, shipping discounts from UPS (domestic and international), and more.

As an AARP member, you have access to a wide range of savings opportunities, including but not restricted to: 

  • Plans for Medicare supplement insurance and health insurance
  • vehicle insurance
  • holiday cruises
  • Car leases
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment
  • Shopping

Which Stores Offer The Best Senior Citizen Discounts?

We frequently experience rising prices as we become older for things like healthcare and retirement. Many retailers give senior citizens discounts in order to help relieve some of these expenses. But which shops give seniors the best discounts?

  1. Target – For customers 60 and over, Target gives 5% off every day. Additionally, throughout the year, they hold particular sales events just for seniors.
  2. Best buy – For customers 55 and older, Best Buy provides 10% off on selected items. Also, they hold particular Senior Discount Days where prices are considerably lower.

Free AARP Financial Tools

The AARP website has a host of financial tools that will become available to you for free if you choose to become a member. These tools include a 401(K) savings calculator, insurance calculator, and home budget calculator. AARP’s website tools were developed by leading industry experts and provide accurate figures and estimates.

Instead of depending on a financial advisor, you can get access to first-hand data from these tools. You can use these tools in conjunction as well. For example, you can use the investment property calculator to get a cost estimate for your property investments and then use the investment return calculator to get an idea of the profit you could make.

In addition to financial tools, AARP offers tools for health, work, retirement, politics, caregiving, volunteering, and travel.

AARP Member Benefits for Car Insurance

The associated benefits of AARP membership can be a godsend if you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy. Across the country, many private car insurance companies offer discounted rates to members of AARP. Once you find an insurer with an AARP member’s discount, all you have to do is present your proof of membership, ID, and other proper documentation. Some insurers also offer the following benefits to AARP members:

  • Lifetime renewability
  • 12-month rate protection
  • New car replacement
  • Towing and labor services

But first, you should determine whether you’re eligible for AARP auto insurance discounts, which you can check from the insurer’s website. If you want, you can also use the AARP Auto Buying Program to buy a car. This way, you’ll reap all the benefits of your AARP membership when it comes to your automotive needs.

AARP Entertainment Partnerships

You’ve worked hard for your whole life, and it’s understandable if you want to sit back and relax a bit now that you’re retired. When it comes to entertainment, AARP has you covered. In addition to their association with The Regal Entertainment Group, AARP partners with some of the best entertainment outlets. If you feel like watching something from your phone or computer, you can access hundreds of classic and modern movies and TV shows directly from the AARP website. If you’re an ardent book lover, then you can jump straight into Audible to gain access to thousands of books covering a wide range of topics.

Tips For Getting The Most Out of Your AARP Membership

It’s important to benefit from any reductions we may receive as we get older. Because of this, many seniors belong to AARP, which provides a range of advantages and discounts. But how do you make the most out of your AARP membership? Here are some of the advice:

  1. When shopping, use your membership card. This will guarantee that you receive any applicable discounts at partner stores.
  2. On the AARP website or in the members-only area of retailer websites, look for special offers and coupons. These can provide additional discounts on top of the member discount you already receive.
  3. Utilize the AARP Travel Center to make travel preparations. Booking through the website’s unique discounts with major suppliers will help you save money on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.
  4. Keep an eye out for any local events your chapter hosts as they frequently feature member-only discounts on tickets.
  5. Last but not least, remember to renew your membership each year to keep getting all these fantastic perks!

Are There Any Benefits Beyond Discounts?

Many of us start looking for methods to save money as we become older. Taking advantage of senior citizen discounts is one method to achieve this. One company that provides these discounts is AARP, but are there any advantages to membership in AARP that go beyond the financial savings?

To begin with, AARP members get access to a selection of special offers and deals from businesses in a range of sectors. These offers include everything from financial and insurance benefits to savings on travel and leisure. Members of AARP also have access to an extensive range of information on subjects like caring advice, healthcare expenditures, and retirement preparation.

But the sense of connection and companionship that AARP membership offers may be its most priceless advantage. It can be challenging for many senior individuals to keep engaged and active in their later years. Through AARP, they can meet people who share their interests, who could be going through the same things as them or who just like to hang out and do fun things.

Job Search Assistance 

Getting a part-time work may prove to be a good way for many retirees to pass the time. No of the nature of the jobs, even those of us who are still of working age want to have access to resources that can assist us get better quality job search results.

With or without membership, one of the best resources available to you is the AARP Job Board. You can use this tool to find new employment prospects and to learn about career-related events, resume writing, and job interviews. You’ll have access to a wealth of webinars and educational films that can help you improve your marketability or correct some common job search errors.

elderly woman sitting while holding a bottle of water image

Magazine

The most widely distributed magazine in the country, AARP The Magazine, will also be sent to you along with a subscription. It is a lifestyle journal that focuses on concerns related to aging and provides a wealth of useful knowledge on a range of subjects, including:

  • Money – investments, savings retirement.
  • Health and fitness – tips and trends.
  • Food and nutrition – healthy eating, recipes.
  • Travel – tips on where and how to travel.
  • Relationships – family issues, grandparents, care giving.
  • Information for consumers – advice and practical information.
  • Entertainment news and celebrity interviews.
  • Book and movie reviews.
  • General interest topics – trends and timely topics.

Is AARP Right For You

You can always do further research to determine whether AARP is a good fit for you if you aren’t sure about joining. Explore the website, review their publications, and consider the advantages. You might always give it a shot for a year and observe how things go. You will profit from joining for years to come, and the process is quick and easy.

AARP Alternatives

Although AARP is among the best-known organizations of its kind, it is not your only choice. Before you sign up, consider these AARP substitutes to determine if one is a better fit for you:

  • American Seniors Association (ASA): Like AARP, ASA is largely concerned with conservatism, Social Security, Medicare, and tax reform. For a year, memberships start at $15.
  • Another conservative alternative to AARP that provides comparable advantages and savings is the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC), which was established in 2007. For a year, memberships start at $16.
  • The National Association of Conservative Seniors (NAOCS) advocates for the benefits of military service, small businesses, and a religious lifestyle. The first year of basic membership is free; thereafter, it costs $1 per month.

All Things Considered

Because AARP overs a diverse array of discounts and services, many people 50 and over find the program well worth the membership fee. On top of their current membership benefits, the AARP is continually adding new programs, benefits, and partnerships. With a membership base of 38 million, the appeal of AARP is undeniable for retirees and soon-to-be retirees.