You must be 50 years old to join AARP

AARP membership begins at age 50. You do not have to wait until you turn 65, retire, or start collecting Social Security. The moment you reach 50, you can become a member if you choose to.

There is no upper age limit. Members in their 80s, 90s, and beyond remain may be able to access. AARP does not remove or suspend membership based on age.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to join, but you must have a valid U.S. mailing address. Membership is open to anyone 50 and older who meets this requirement.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership is open to anyone age 50 or older, regardless of retirement or Social Security status.
  • There is no maximum age for membership, and your membership does not expire based on how old you become.
  • You need a valid U.S. mailing address to join, but citizenship is not required.
  • Membership typically costs around $16 per year, though AARP occasionally runs promotional rates for new members.
  • You can join online, by mail, or by phone, and membership usually becomes active within days.

What AARP membership includes at age 50

At 50, you gain access to the same core AARP benefits as older members. This includes discounts on hotels, rental cars, and restaurants through AARP's partner network. You also receive AARP Magazine and access to the AARP website, which contains articles on health, caregiving, money, and work.

Prescription drug discounts through AARP's pharmacy partner are available to all members, not just those on Medicare. Travel deals, insurance products (including auto and home insurance quotes), and financial planning tools are also part of membership at any age.

Some benefits do shift once you turn 65 and become may be able to access for Medicare. AARP offers Medicare Supplement insurance plans and helps members understand Medicare enrollment, but you do not need to be 65 to join AARP itself.

How to join before you turn 65

You can join online at AARP's website by entering your birth date, name, and address. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will be asked to choose a membership term (usually one year) and a payment method.

You can also join by phone at 1-888-687-2277 or by mail using a form sent to you if you receive AARP marketing materials. Online is the fastest route — your membership typically activates within a few days, and you receive a membership card by mail within two to three weeks.

AARP sometimes offers promotional rates for new members, such as discounted first-year membership or bonus offers. Check the AARP website or call to see what current offers are available when you are ready to join.

Why people join AARP before 65

Many people join at 50 to take advantage of travel discounts and restaurant deals. AARP's hotel and car rental discounts can add up quickly if you travel regularly, and the membership fee often pays for itself in a single trip.

Others join for the magazine and website content, which covers topics relevant to people in their 50s and 60s — career changes, caregiving for aging parents, health conditions, and financial planning for retirement. The prescription drug discounts also appeal to members who are not yet on Medicare but take regular medications.

Some join early to become familiar with AARP's resources and tools before they turn 65 and face Medicare decisions. Learning how AARP's website works and what information is available can make the Medicare enrollment process less stressful when the time comes.

Membership cost and renewal

Standard AARP membership costs around $16 per year. This price has remained stable for several years, though AARP occasionally adjusts it. Promotional rates for new members may be lower — sometimes $8 or $12 for the first year.

Your membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel. AARP sends renewal notices by mail and email before your membership expires. You can renew online, by phone, or by mail.

If you decide membership is not for you, you can cancel at any time. There are no penalties or long-term commitments. You can also pause your membership and rejoin later without losing any benefits or history.

AARP membership versus Medicare may be able to access

AARP membership and Medicare are separate. You do not need Medicare to join AARP, and joining AARP does not enroll you in Medicare. AARP is a membership organization; Medicare is a federal health insurance program that begins at age 65.

However, AARP does offer information about Medicare and sells Medicare Supplement insurance plans. Many people join AARP at 50 partly to start learning about Medicare before they turn 65, since Medicare enrollment has important date and penalties for late sign-up.

If you are already on Medicare (for example, because you receive Social Security Disability Insurance before age 65), you can still join AARP at 50. Your Medicare coverage and AARP membership work independently.

What happens to your membership after 65

Your AARP membership continues without interruption once you turn 65. You do not need to re-join or update anything. The same membership fee applies, and you keep all the same benefits.

At 65, additional Medicare-specific resources and discounts become available to you through AARP, but your core membership does not change. You will receive more content about Medicare, Social Security, and retirement in AARP Magazine and on the website, but this is an expansion of your membership, not a replacement.

Your membership remains active for life as long as you continue to renew it each year. There is no age at which AARP removes you or changes your status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join AARP at 49 if my birthday is coming up soon?

No. AARP requires you to be 50 at the time you join. You cannot join early, even if you will turn 50 within weeks. You can join on the day you turn 50.

Do I have to be retired to join AARP at 50?

No. Retirement status does not matter. You can be working full-time, part-time, or not working at all. AARP membership is based only on age, not employment or income.

Is AARP membership the same for people who are 50 versus people who are 75?

The core membership is the same — same cost, same discounts, same magazine and website access. However, once you turn 65, you gain access to Medicare-related resources and insurance products that are not relevant to people under 65. The membership itself does not change; the available content and products expand.

What if I join AARP at 50 but do not use it much?

You can cancel anytime without penalty. If you rejoin later, there is no gap or loss of benefits. Many people join, use it for a few years, cancel, and rejoin when they travel again or want the magazine back.

Does joining AARP affect my Social Security or Medicare benefits?

No. AARP membership is a separate organization and does not change your Social Security, Medicare, or any government benefits. Joining AARP is purely a membership choice and does not trigger any government enrollment or affect your benefit amounts.