AARP membership costs $16 a year, and the main value is discounts on hotels, rental cars, and dining — not health insurance or government benefits

AARP membership is a discount card and magazine subscription bundled together. You pay $16 annually (or $27 for three years) and receive a membership card that gets you discounts at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and travel companies. You also get AARP Magazine and access to their website, which has articles about health, money, and aging.

AARP does not provide health insurance, does not help you sign up for Medicare, and does not determine your may be able to access for any government program. It is a membership organization run by a private company. The discounts are real — many people save the $16 cost in a single hotel stay or car rental — but the membership itself does not change what you may have access to for or what benefits you receive.

You become may be able to access to join at age 50. You do not have to be retired, and you do not have to be a U.S. citizen, though you do need a valid mailing address in the United States.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 per year and works as a discount card at hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, and retail stores.
  • The membership includes a magazine and website access but does not provide insurance, determine government benefit may be able to access, or help you enroll in Medicare.
  • You can join at age 50 and do not need to be retired.
  • Many people save more than the annual cost in a single discounted hotel stay or car rental.
  • AARP also offers supplemental insurance products (like Medigap plans) that you purchase separately and pay for monthly, distinct from the membership itself.

What the $16 membership actually covers

The core membership gives you a card to show at participating businesses. The discounts vary widely — some hotels offer 10 percent off, some restaurants offer a specific dollar amount, some retailers offer nothing but are listed anyway. You can search the AARP website to see what discounts are available near you before you join.

You also receive AARP Magazine, published six times a year, which covers health topics, financial planning, travel, and lifestyle. The website includes articles on similar topics, a section on Medicare (informational only, not enrollment), and tools like a Social Security calculator.

The membership does not include prescription drug discounts, dental coverage, vision coverage, or any form of insurance. It does not enroll you in anything or change your may be able to access for any program.

AARP insurance products are separate from membership

AARP sells insurance products — Medigap plans, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and auto and home insurance — but these are not included in your $16 membership. You purchase them separately and pay a monthly or annual premium directly to the insurance company.

These products are underwritten by insurance carriers, not by AARP itself. AARP receives a commission when you buy them. The insurance is real and regulated by your state, but it is a separate transaction from joining AARP.

If you are interested in a Medigap plan, for example, you can compare AARP's offerings against plans from other insurers. AARP's plans are not automatically cheaper or better — you should compare rates and coverage across multiple companies before deciding.

Who should join and who should skip it

Join if you travel frequently, eat out regularly, or shop at retailers where AARP discounts are offered. A single discounted hotel night often pays for the year. Join also if you want the magazine or website content and do not mind supporting the organization.

Skip it if you do not travel, do not use the participating retailers, and are not interested in the magazine. The $16 is not refundable, so it is a sunk cost if you do not use the card. You can also call AARP's customer service line before joining to ask whether specific businesses you frequent offer discounts.

Do not join thinking it will help you with Medicare enrollment, Social Security, or government benefits. For those, you need Medicare.gov, your local Social Security office, or your state health insurance counselor — not AARP membership.

How to join and what to expect

You can join online at AARP's website, by phone, or by mail. Online is fastest — you provide your name, date of birth, address, and payment information, and your membership is active when ready. You can print your card right away or wait for a physical card to arrive by mail.

AARP will send you marketing mail and email about their insurance products and other offerings. You can opt out of most of this in your account settings, though some communications are part of the membership.

Your membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel. You can cancel anytime by calling their customer service line or through your online account.

Common confusion about what AARP does and does not do

AARP does not enroll you in Medicare. Medicare enrollment happens through Medicare.gov or your local Social Security office. AARP has information about Medicare on their website, but reading it does not enroll you in anything.

AARP does not determine your may be able to access for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or any other government program. Those determinations come from the government agencies that run the programs — your state Medicaid office, the Social Security Administration, or your local Area Agency on Aging.

AARP does not provide financial information or tax information, though their website includes general educational articles on those topics. If you need specific information, you should speak with a financial advisor or tax professional.

AARP does not provide health insurance as part of membership. The insurance products they sell are optional add-ons that you purchase and pay for separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be retired to join AARP?

No. You only need to be 50 or older and have a U.S. mailing address. Your employment status does not matter.

Can AARP help me enroll in Medicare?

AARP cannot enroll you in Medicare, but their website has information about how Medicare works. To actually enroll, you go to Medicare.gov or visit your local Social Security office. Some local Area Agencies on Aging also offer free enrollment help.

Will joining AARP change what government benefits I may have access to for?

No. AARP membership is a private discount card and does not affect your may be able to access for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or any other government program. Government agencies determine your may be able to access based on their own rules, not on AARP membership.

What is the difference between AARP membership and AARP insurance?

Membership is the $16 annual card that gives you discounts. Insurance is a separate product you purchase and pay for monthly. You can have membership without insurance, or insurance without membership, or both.

Can I get my money back if I do not use the discounts?

AARP does not offer refunds. If you join and decide you do not want the membership, you can cancel and stop paying the renewal fee next year, but the money you already paid is not returned.