AARP membership costs $16 a year, and whether it pays for itself depends on which discounts you use

AARP membership is worth it if you use at least one of the discounts regularly — most people who join do. The membership itself is cheap, but the real question is whether the specific discounts match your actual spending. A person who never travels or eats at restaurants will not recoup the cost through travel and dining discounts. A person who fills prescriptions monthly might save $16 in the first month alone.

The membership also includes access to AARP's website resources: Medicare guides, Social Security planning tools, and articles about retirement income. These are free to read whether you join or not. The paid membership adds a magazine, customer service phone lines, and the ability to join AARP-sponsored group plans for insurance and financial products.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes discounts at hotels, rental cars, restaurants, and pharmacies, plus access to planning tools and a magazine.
  • The pharmacy discount through AARP's partnership with Walgreens and CVS can save $16 or more per year if you fill prescriptions regularly, making the membership free or profitable in the first year.
  • Travel and dining discounts require you to show your membership card or use a code at checkout, and savings vary by location and season.
  • AARP also offers group insurance plans for life, auto, and home coverage, but these are separate products with separate costs and underwriting.
  • You can read AARP's Medicare and Social Security guides online without joining; membership adds a printed magazine and phone access to customer service.

Pharmacy discounts that often pay for the membership in one year

AARP has negotiated discounts at Walgreens and CVS on thousands of over-the-counter and prescription medications. The discount is not a coupon you clip — it is built into the price when you show your AARP card or give your membership number at the pharmacy counter. The savings vary by drug and location, but common medications like atorvastatin (for cholesterol) or lisinopril (for blood pressure) often cost 10 to 30 percent less with the AARP discount than the regular cash price.

If you take a daily prescription, the annual savings can easily exceed $16. A person paying $50 per month for a medication without the discount might pay $35 to $40 with it — a savings of $10 to $15 per month, or $120 to $180 per year. Even if you only fill prescriptions occasionally, a single expensive medication can cover the membership cost.

The discount applies to generic drugs and some brand-name drugs, but not to medications already covered by Medicare Part D or other insurance. If you have Part D coverage, check your formulary first to see what you pay; the AARP discount may not beat your copay. You can compare prices at different pharmacies using GoodRx or your insurance plan's website before deciding whether the AARP discount helps.

Hotel, rental car, and restaurant discounts that require advance planning

AARP negotiates discounts with major hotel chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Best Western), rental car companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget), and some restaurant chains. The discounts range from 5 to 20 percent depending on the business and the season. A hotel discount of 10 percent on a $120 night saves $12; a rental car discount of 15 percent on a $50 daily rate saves $7.50 per day.

These discounts require you to book through AARP's website or call the business directly and mention your membership. You cannot usually explore the discount after you have already booked. Some hotel chains offer the discount only on certain room types or at certain locations, so you need to check the terms before you reserve. The discount may not explore during peak season or on already-discounted rates.

If you travel once or twice a year and stay in hotels, the savings can add up. A person who takes two trips per year, staying three nights each time at a $120 hotel, saves roughly $72 per year with a 10 percent discount — more than covering the membership cost. A person who never travels gets nothing from these discounts.

Insurance products that are separate from membership

AARP offers group insurance plans for auto, home, life, and supplemental health coverage through partner companies like Hartford, Mutual of Omaha, and UnitedHealthcare. These are not included in your membership; they are separate products with separate premiums and underwriting. You can join AARP and never buy any of these products, or you can buy them without joining AARP.

The advantage of AARP's group plans is that they are negotiated rates available only to AARP members, and AARP has vetted the insurers. The disadvantage is that group rates are not always cheaper than shopping on your own. Before you buy an AARP insurance product, get quotes from at least two other insurers to compare. Some people find AARP's rates competitive; others find better prices elsewhere.

Life insurance through AARP is usually term or whole life coverage underwritten by Mutual of Omaha. Supplemental health insurance (like accident or hospital indemnity coverage) is underwritten by UnitedHealthcare. Auto and home insurance is underwritten by Hartford. Each product has its own process and approval process. AARP membership does not may provide you will be approved for any of these products.

Magazine, website resources, and customer service included with membership

AARP membership includes a subscription to AARP Magazine, published six times per year. The magazine covers health, money, travel, and lifestyle topics for people over 50. You can also read most AARP Magazine articles on AARP's website without a subscription.

AARP's website includes free guides on Medicare, Social Security, retirement planning, and caregiving. These guides do not require membership to read. The membership adds phone access to AARP's customer service line, which can answer questions about your membership benefits and help you find discounts. You can also call to ask general questions about Medicare or Social Security, though AARP staff cannot give personalized information about your specific situation.

AARP also offers free tax preparation help through a partnership with the IRS. Volunteers at AARP tax sites help people with low to moderate income prepare their federal and state tax returns. This service is free whether you are an AARP member or not, though members may get priority scheduling at some sites.

How to decide if membership is worth your money

Start by listing the discounts you actually use. If you fill prescriptions at Walgreens or CVS, write down what you pay now and what you might save with the AARP discount. If you travel, check AARP's hotel and rental car rates for your next trip and compare them to what you would pay without the discount. If you eat at restaurants that offer AARP discounts, look up the discount amount.

Add up the potential savings for one year. If the total is more than $16, the membership pays for itself. If the total is less than $16, consider whether the magazine and website resources are worth the cost to you. Some people value the magazine and customer service line enough to join even if the discounts do not add up to $16.

You can also join for one year and track your actual savings. Keep your receipts when you use an AARP discount and add them up at the end of the year. If you saved more than $16, renew. If you saved less, you can let the membership lapse.

How to join and where to find current discount information

You can join AARP online at aarp.org or by phone at 1-888-687-2277. You must be 50 or older. The membership costs $16 per year, and you can pay by credit card, debit card, or bank account. Your membership is active when ready, and you receive your membership card by mail within two weeks.

AARP's discount directory is at aarp.org/discounts. You can search by category (hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, etc.) or by location. The directory shows the discount amount, any restrictions, and how to redeem the discount. Discount amounts and participating businesses change, so check the directory before each trip or purchase.

If you have questions about a specific discount, call AARP customer service at 1-888-687-2277. They can tell you whether a particular business is currently offering the discount and how to redeem it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy AARP insurance to keep my membership?

No. AARP insurance products are optional and separate from membership. You can join AARP and never buy any insurance, or you can buy insurance without joining AARP. Membership gives you access to group rates on insurance, but you are not required to use them.

Can I use AARP discounts if I have Medicare?

Yes. AARP membership and Medicare are separate. You can have both. The pharmacy discount works alongside Medicare Part D, though your Part D copay may be lower than the AARP discount on some drugs. Check your Part D formulary to compare.

What if I use the discounts and still do not save $16 in the first year?

You can cancel your membership anytime and request a refund of your membership fee if you cancel within 30 days of joining. After 30 days, AARP does not offer refunds, but you can let your membership lapse and not renew the following year.

Are AARP discounts available everywhere or only in certain states?

Most AARP discounts are available nationwide, but some businesses participate only in certain locations. Hotel and restaurant discounts vary by location and season. Check AARP's discount directory for your specific area before you travel or dine out.

Can I share my AARP membership card with my spouse?

No. Each person needs their own membership. If you are married and both over 50, you can join as a couple for $27 per year instead of $32 for two individual memberships. Couples membership includes one card per person.