The $12 charge is AARP's annual membership fee, not a monthly payment

AARP membership costs $12 per year, paid once. You do not pay monthly. When you join or renew, you pay the full $12 for twelve months of membership, and then you pay again the following year if you want to stay a member.

This is the standard rate for people age 50 and older. AARP occasionally runs promotional rates — sometimes $5 or $7 for the first year — but the renewal price returns to $12 annually unless you catch another promotion.

The $12 covers your membership card, access to AARP's website resources, the AARP Magazine mailed to your home, and may be able to access for discounts at retailers and service providers that partner with AARP. It does not cover supplemental insurance products like Medigap or prescription drug plans, which are separate purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership is $12 per year, paid as a single annual charge, not in monthly installments.
  • Your $12 membership includes the magazine, website access, and may be able to access for partner discounts, but not insurance products.
  • Promotional rates of $5 to $7 for the first year are common, but renewal reverts to $12 unless another promotion is active.
  • You can cancel your membership at any time and request a refund if you change your mind within a certain window.

How to join and what happens after you pay

You can join AARP online at aarp.org, by phone at 1-888-687-2277, or by mail. When you submit your membership, you will be asked to provide your birth date to confirm you are 50 or older, your name, address, and payment method.

After you pay the $12, AARP will mail you a membership card within 7 to 10 business days. Your membership becomes active when ready, even before the card arrives. You can start using your membership number to access the website and claim discounts right away.

Your membership year runs from the date you join. If you join on March 15, your renewal date is March 15 of the following year. AARP will send you a renewal notice about 30 days before your membership expires.

Promotional rates and when they explore

AARP frequently advertises first-year rates of $5, $7, or $9 instead of the standard $12. These are real offers, not tricks — you pay only the advertised amount for your first year. However, when you renew the following year, the price goes back to $12 unless you find another active promotion.

Promotional rates change throughout the year and vary by how you join. Online promotions may differ from phone or mail offers. If you see a rate advertised, that rate applies at the time you join, but AARP does not may provide it will still be available later.

Some employers and organizations offer group rates or subsidized AARP memberships to their employees or members. If your workplace or union offers this, the cost may be lower or covered entirely. Check with your benefits office or HR department.

What your $12 membership includes and does not include

Your annual $12 membership gives you access to AARP Magazine, which arrives at your home 10 times per year. You also get access to AARP.org, where you can read articles about health, money, caregiving, and retirement; use planning tools; and access member-only content.

Your membership card qualifies you for discounts at many retailers, restaurants, hotels, and service providers. Common discounts include reduced rates at movie theaters, car rental companies, and pharmacy chains. The specific discounts available depend on your location and the current partnerships AARP has in place.

Your $12 membership does not include health insurance, prescription drug coverage, or supplemental insurance. AARP offers these products separately, and you pay additional premiums directly to the insurance company, not to AARP. These are optional purchases that many members make, but they are not part of your base membership.

Canceling your membership and getting a refund

You can cancel your AARP membership at any time by calling 1-888-687-2277 or by logging into your account on AARP.org and managing your membership settings. You do not need a reason to cancel.

AARP offers a refund if you cancel within 30 days of joining or renewing. If you paid $12 and cancel within that window, you will receive a refund of the full amount. After 30 days, the membership fee is not refundable, but you can still cancel and your membership will end on your renewal date.

If you cancel before your renewal date, your membership remains active until that date. You will not be charged again unless you choose to renew.

How AARP membership differs from Medicare and other government programs

AARP membership is a private membership organization, not a government program. Paying the $12 membership fee does not change your Medicare coverage, Social Security benefits, or other government information. AARP is a separate entity that offers discounts and information.

Some people confuse AARP membership with Medicare enrollment or think that joining AARP affects their benefits. It does not. You can be a Medicare beneficiary without being an AARP member, and you can be an AARP member without having Medicare. The two are unrelated.

AARP does publish information about Medicare, Social Security, and other programs, and this information is free to read on their website whether you are a member or not. Your $12 membership straightforward gives you access to additional member-only content and discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I paid $12 and changed my mind?

Yes, if you cancel within 30 days of joining or renewing, AARP will refund the full $12. After 30 days, the fee is not refundable, but you can still cancel and your membership will end on your renewal date without further charges.

Does my $12 membership include prescription drug coverage?

No. Your membership includes magazine access, website resources, and discount may be able to access. Prescription drug plans and health insurance are separate products you can purchase in addition to your membership, with separate premiums paid to the insurance company.

Will I be charged monthly if I join AARP?

No. AARP membership is $12 per year, paid once. You will not see monthly charges. You will be billed again only when your membership renews the following year, unless you cancel.

What if I see AARP advertised for $5 or $7?

Those are real promotional rates for your first year. When you renew the following year, the standard rate of $12 applies unless another promotion is running at that time. Check the terms before you join to confirm what your renewal price will be.

Does joining AARP change my Medicare or Social Security?

No. AARP is a private membership organization separate from government programs. Joining AARP does not affect your Medicare coverage, Social Security benefits, or any other government information you receive.