You can cancel AARP and request a refund within 30 days of joining

AARP membership costs money — usually $16 per year for a basic membership, though promotional rates are common. If you joined and changed your mind, you have a window to cancel and get your money back. The refund period is 30 days from the date you joined, not from the date you received your card or first bill. After 30 days, AARP does not refund membership dues, though you can still cancel to stop future charges.

The fastest way to cancel is to call AARP's member services line at 1-888-687-2277. Have your membership number ready — it appears on your membership card and on any bills or emails AARP sent you. A representative can process the cancellation and refund request on the phone in a few minutes. If you are within the 30-day window, mention that when you call so they know to process the refund.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 30 days from your join date to cancel and receive a full refund of your membership fee.
  • Call AARP member services at 1-888-687-2277 with your membership number to cancel over the phone.
  • After 30 days, you can still cancel to stop future charges, but AARP will not refund the fee you already paid.
  • If you signed up for auto-renewal, cancelling your membership also stops the automatic annual charge.
  • Keep your cancellation confirmation number for your records in case a charge appears later.

Cancelling by phone versus online or mail

Calling 1-888-687-2277 is the most direct method because a representative can confirm your cancellation when ready and tell you whether you are within the refund window. The line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time. You will need your membership number, but the call usually takes fewer than five minutes.

You can also cancel online through your AARP account at aarp.org. Log in, go to your account settings, and look for the membership or subscription section. The exact steps vary depending on how you joined — through the main AARP website, through a magazine offer, or through a third-party partner — so the online cancellation page will walk you through the process for your specific account type.

Cancelling by mail is slower and leaves less room for confirmation. If you choose this route, send a letter to AARP requesting cancellation and include your membership number, your full name, and the address on your account. Mail it to AARP Membership, 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049. Include a request for a refund if you are within 30 days. Allow two to three weeks for processing, and keep a copy of your letter.

What happens to auto-renewal when you cancel

Most AARP memberships renew automatically each year unless you turn off auto-renewal. When you cancel your membership, the cancellation stops the automatic charge — you will not be billed again. However, if you cancel after your renewal date has already passed, you have already paid for the next year, and that fee is not refunded unless you are still within your original 30-day window from your first join date.

If you want to keep your membership but stop the automatic renewal, you do not have to cancel. Instead, log into your AARP account online or call member services and ask them to turn off auto-renewal. This way you keep your membership active but choose whether to renew each year manually.

Refunds and what to do if a charge appears after cancellation

If you cancelled within 30 days and requested a refund, AARP typically processes it within one to two billing cycles — usually two to four weeks. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to join (credit card, debit card, or bank account). Check your bank or card statement to confirm the refund appeared.

If you see an AARP charge on your statement after you cancelled, contact your bank or credit card company when ready and dispute the charge. Also call AARP member services at 1-888-687-2277 to report it. Have your cancellation confirmation number ready. AARP can look up your account and confirm whether the charge was an error or a duplicate, and they can issue a second refund if needed.

Why AARP might not process your cancellation request

Cancellation requests sometimes fail because the membership number is wrong, the account is registered under a different name than the one you provided, or the request was not received. If you call and the representative says they cannot find your account, ask them to search by your full name and date of birth instead of the membership number.

If you cancelled online but are unsure whether it went through, call member services to confirm. Do not assume silence means the cancellation worked. A quick phone call takes five minutes and prevents a surprise charge next year.

Cancelling a membership you did not sign up for

Sometimes AARP membership appears on a bill because a family member signed you up, or because a promotional offer was accepted without your knowledge. You can still cancel it. Call 1-888-687-2277, explain that you did not authorize the membership, and ask to cancel and refund the charge. If the membership is recent, you may be within the 30-day refund window even if you did not realize you were signed up.

If the charge is old and outside the refund window, you can still cancel to stop future charges. If you believe the charge was fraudulent or unauthorized, you can also dispute it with your bank or credit card company, which may refund it regardless of AARP's refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I cancel after 30 days?

No. AARP's refund policy covers only cancellations within 30 days of your join date. After that, you can cancel to stop future charges, but the fee you already paid is not refunded. If you joined through a promotional offer, check the terms of that offer — some promotions have different refund windows.

What if I joined through a magazine subscription or third-party offer?

Cancellations through third-party offers sometimes have different rules. Call 1-888-687-2277 and tell the representative how you joined. They can tell you whether the 30-day refund window applies to your specific offer and process the cancellation accordingly.

How long does it take to see the refund in my bank account?

Refunds typically appear within one to two billing cycles, which is usually two to four weeks. The time depends on your bank and the payment method you used. If more than four weeks have passed, call AARP member services to confirm the refund was processed.

Can I cancel if I have not received my membership card yet?

Yes. Your membership is active from the date you joined, not from the date you receive your card. You can cancel anytime, and if you are within 30 days of your join date, you can request a refund. Have your membership number ready when you call — it will be on your first bill or confirmation email even if your card has not arrived.

What if AARP keeps charging me after I cancelled?

Contact your bank or credit card company and dispute the charge. Also call AARP member services at 1-888-687-2277 with your cancellation confirmation number. Ask them to confirm the cancellation in their system and investigate why the charge appeared. Request a refund for the duplicate charge.