AARP membership costs $16 a year, and the value depends entirely on which benefits you use

AARP is a membership organization, not a government program. You pay an annual fee and receive access to discounts, insurance products, and publications. Whether it pays for itself depends on your age, health status, and shopping habits — not everyone benefits equally.

The most common value comes from prescription drug discounts through their pharmacy partner network, car and home insurance rates, and travel deals. Some members use none of these. Others save hundreds in the first year. The membership itself does not get you Medicare, Social Security, or any government benefit — it is a separate purchase from a private company.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes access to discounts on prescriptions, insurance, travel, and dining, but you must actively use them to see savings.
  • The prescription drug discount program works at most major pharmacies without requiring you to join a Medicare plan, so it can help people on Original Medicare or those not yet on Medicare.
  • AARP-branded car and home insurance is underwritten by third-party insurers, and rates vary widely by location and personal history — you should compare quotes before assuming you will save money.
  • AARP publishes free articles and guides on Medicare, Social Security, and aging topics, and these resources are available to non-members on their website.
  • You can cancel anytime, so testing the membership for a few months to see if you use the discounts costs only $16 to $32.

Prescription drug discounts and how they work

AARP's pharmacy discount program is one of the most concrete benefits. You receive a card that you present at participating pharmacies — CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, and many others — to receive negotiated prices on thousands of medications. You do not need to enroll in a separate plan; the discount is available the moment your membership is active.

The discount applies whether you are on Medicare, still working, or uninsured. If you are on a Medicare Part D plan, you cannot use both the AARP discount and your Part D coverage for the same prescription — you use whichever is cheaper for that specific drug. Many people find the AARP discount beats their Part D copay on certain medications, particularly generics and over-the-counter drugs.

The actual savings vary by medication and pharmacy. A generic blood pressure medication might save you $5 per month; a brand-name drug might save you $50. The only way to know is to check the price on the AARP website or call the pharmacy before you join. If you take multiple medications, adding up the monthly savings across all of them often covers the annual membership fee within a few months.

Insurance products: what AARP actually sells

AARP does not underwrite insurance. Instead, the organization licenses its name to insurance companies that design and sell policies branded as "AARP." The actual coverage, rates, and claims handling come from the insurance company, not AARP. This matters because your experience depends on the insurer, not the AARP brand.

AARP-branded car and home insurance is sold through The Hartford and Nationwide. Rates are negotiated specifically for AARP members, which can mean discounts compared to standard quotes — but only if you are a good risk for that particular insurer. A person with a clean driving record and a newer home might save 15 to 20 percent; someone with accidents or claims might see no discount or might be declined entirely. You must get a quote to know whether you will actually save money.

AARP also offers supplemental health insurance (Medigap), long-term care insurance, and life insurance through partner companies. These are real insurance products with real underwriting, waiting periods, and exclusions. They are not included in your membership — you pay separate premiums. Before buying any AARP-branded insurance, compare quotes from at least two other insurers, because the AARP name does not may provide the best price.

Travel discounts and other perks

AARP negotiates discounts at hotels, rental car companies, and tour operators. The discounts are real but often modest — typically 5 to 10 percent off standard rates. You must book through AARP's website or call their travel line to receive the discount; booking directly at the hotel website usually does not may have access to.

The value here depends on how much you travel. If you take one or two trips per year and stay at mid-range hotels, you might save $50 to $100 annually. If you do not travel, this benefit is worth nothing to you. AARP also offers discounts at restaurants, movie theaters, and retail stores, but these vary by location and are often available through other discount programs as well.

AARP membership includes a subscription to AARP Magazine and access to their website, which publishes articles on Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, and health topics. These resources are free to read on the website even if you are not a member, so the membership does not unlock information you cannot find elsewhere — it just delivers it to your mailbox and email inbox.

Who should join and who should skip it

Join AARP if you take multiple medications and the pharmacy discount saves you more than $16 per year, or if you are shopping for car or home insurance and AARP quotes beat other insurers. Join if you travel regularly and the hotel discounts add up. Join if you read AARP Magazine and find the content useful.

Skip AARP if you are on a Medicare Part D plan with a low deductible and copays that are already cheap, or if you do not take regular medications. Skip it if you are not shopping for insurance or do not travel. Skip it if you are skeptical about whether you will use the discounts — the $16 annual fee is low enough that testing it for a year is reasonable, but only if you actually track your savings.

AARP membership is not an all-or-nothing decision. You can join for one year, use the pharmacy discount and insurance quotes, and cancel if you do not save money. There is no penalty for canceling, and AARP will refund your membership fee if you cancel within 30 days.

How to join and what to expect

You must be 50 or older to join AARP. You can join online at aarp.org, by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or by mail. The membership costs $16 per year, or $27 for three years. You will receive a membership card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though you can start using some benefits when ready online.

After you join, you will receive regular mail and email from AARP promoting insurance products, donations, and other offers. You can manage your communication preferences on the website to reduce the volume. Your membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel, so set a reminder if you want to review whether it is still worth it before renewal.

AARP is a nonprofit organization, but it generates most of its revenue from insurance commissions and corporate partnerships, not membership fees. This means AARP has financial incentives to promote certain products. Read the fine print on any insurance quote or discount offer before committing, and compare it to at least one other source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to join AARP to get Medicare?

No. AARP membership is completely separate from Medicare. You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65 based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease — AARP has nothing to do with that process. You can have Medicare without AARP, or AARP without Medicare.

Can I use the AARP pharmacy discount if I am on Medicare Part D?

Yes, but only for prescriptions where the AARP discount is cheaper than your Part D copay. You choose which discount to use for each prescription. If your Part D plan covers a drug for $5 and AARP's discount is $8, you use Part D. If AARP is cheaper, you use that instead. You cannot use both on the same prescription.

What happens if I cancel my AARP membership?

Your membership ends and you lose access to discounts. Any insurance policies you bought through AARP continue as long as you pay the premiums — canceling your AARP membership does not cancel your car insurance or Medigap policy. You can rejoin AARP anytime by paying the annual fee again.

Is AARP a government program?

No. AARP is a private nonprofit organization. It is not run by Medicare, Social Security, or any government agency. The federal government does not endorse AARP or require you to join it. AARP lobbies Congress on aging policy, but that is separate from the membership benefits.

How much can I actually save with AARP?

That depends entirely on which benefits you use. If you take medications and the pharmacy discount saves you $30 per month, you save $360 per year against a $16 membership fee. If you do not take medications and do not travel, your savings might be zero. The only way to know is to check the pharmacy prices and insurance quotes before you join.