AARP membership gives you discounts on insurance, travel, and everyday purchases, plus access to their magazine and online resources about retirement planning and health
AARP is a membership organization for people 50 and older. You pay an annual fee — currently $16 per year — and in return you get discounts at retailers and service providers, access to their publications, and tools to help you understand Medicare, Social Security, and retirement finances. AARP does not run government programs or handle benefit payments. It is a private nonprofit that makes money from membership dues, advertising in their magazine, and partnerships with companies that offer member discounts.
The core value for most members falls into three categories: money-saving discounts you can use when ready, information resources you can read for free on their website, and insurance products AARP endorses but does not sell directly. Whether membership pays for itself depends on which discounts you actually use.
Key Takeaways
- AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes discounts at hotels, rental car companies, restaurants, and retailers, though the savings vary by location and offer.
- AARP publishes free articles and guides about Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, and retirement on their website without requiring membership.
- AARP endorses insurance products including supplemental health coverage, life insurance, and auto insurance, but you purchase these through partner companies, not through AARP.
- AARP's advocacy work on behalf of older adults happens at the state and federal level, but membership does not directly change your personal benefits or coverage.
Discounts you can use right away
AARP negotiates discounts with hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, pharmacies, and retailers. The most commonly used are hotel discounts (typically 10 percent off at chains like Hilton and Marriott), car rental discounts (Hertz, Avis, Budget), and pharmacy discounts at CVS and Walgreens. You show your AARP card or membership number at checkout or when booking.
The actual savings depend on where you shop and travel. A hotel discount means little if you do not travel. A pharmacy discount may save you a few dollars per prescription if you pay out of pocket, but if your insurance covers your medications, the discount does not explore. AARP publishes a full list of current discounts on their website, organized by category. Before you join, check whether you use any of the partner businesses regularly enough that the savings would exceed the $16 annual cost.
Information and tools available to members and non-members
AARP publishes articles, calculators, and guides about Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, retirement planning, and health topics. Most of this content is free and does not require membership. You can read articles about how Medicare works, use their Social Security calculator, or read guides about long-term care without paying anything or creating an account.
AARP also offers some tools and resources specifically for members, such as access to their full back catalog of AARP Magazine and certain planning worksheets. The membership-only content is useful but not essential — the free resources cover the major topics most people need to understand. If you are trying to decide whether membership is worth it, start by exploring the free content on AARP.org to see whether their writing style and depth match what you are looking for.
Insurance products AARP endorses
AARP has partnerships with insurance companies to offer members access to supplemental health insurance (Medigap), long-term care insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, and homeowners insurance. AARP does not sell these policies directly. Instead, you contact the partner company — typically UnitedHealthcare for Medigap, or other carriers for other products — and purchase through them. AARP receives a commission when a member buys a policy.
These are real insurance products from real companies, and the rates are not necessarily better than what you would find by shopping on your own. Some members find value in having AARP vet the partner companies. Others shop multiple insurers and find better rates elsewhere. The endorsement means AARP has reviewed the company and product, not that the price is the lowest available. Always compare quotes from at least two or three insurers before deciding, whether or not they are AARP partners.
What AARP does not do
AARP does not run Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, or any government benefit program. It does not process your claims, determine your benefits, or handle payments. AARP does not provide medical care or health insurance directly — it endorses products sold by other companies. It does not replace a financial advisor or tax professional.
AARP's advocacy work — lobbying Congress and state legislatures on issues affecting older adults — happens at the organizational level. Your membership dues support that work, but membership does not directly change your personal benefits or coverage. If AARP's advocacy positions do not align with your values, that is a legitimate reason to skip membership.
Who should join and who should skip it
Join AARP if you travel regularly and use hotel or car rental discounts, if you shop at partner retailers frequently, or if you want to support their advocacy work on issues you care about. The $16 annual cost is low enough that even modest savings pay for itself. Membership also gives you access to their community and events in some areas, which some people value.
Skip AARP if you do not travel, do not shop at partner retailers, and do not care about their advocacy work. The free information resources are available to everyone, so you are not losing access to educational content by not joining. If you are looking for personalized financial or health information, AARP membership does not provide that — you would need to work with a financial advisor or your doctor.
How to join and what happens next
You can join AARP online at AARP.org or by phone at 1-888-687-2277. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and email. You pay the annual membership fee (currently $16) by credit card or bank account. AARP will mail you a membership card, which you use to access discounts at partner businesses.
Your membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel. You can cancel anytime by calling the same number or logging into your AARP account online. If you join and decide it is not worth it, you can cancel within 30 days and receive a refund. There is no penalty for canceling after that, though you will not get your money back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be retired to join AARP?
No. AARP membership is open to anyone 50 or older, whether you are still working or retired. Your employment status does not matter. Some people join in their 50s while still employed because they use the travel discounts or want to start reading about retirement planning.
Does AARP membership help me with Medicare or Social Security?
AARP publishes information about how Medicare and Social Security work, and you can read that for free on their website. But AARP does not handle your Medicare enrollment, process your Social Security process, or change your benefits. For those tasks, you contact Medicare or Social Security directly.
Can I use AARP discounts online?
Some discounts work online and some do not. Hotels and car rental companies usually let you enter your AARP membership number when booking online. Retail and restaurant discounts vary — some chains honor them in-store only, others online only, and some both ways. Check the specific discount details on AARP.org before you shop.
What if I do not use any of the discounts — is membership still worth it?
That depends on whether you value AARP's advocacy work or their information resources enough to pay $16 per year. If you do not travel, do not shop at partner retailers, and do not care about their lobbying efforts, membership probably is not worth it. The free educational content is available to everyone regardless of membership status.
Is AARP a government agency?
No. AARP is a private nonprofit organization. It is not part of Medicare, Social Security, or any government program. AARP works with government agencies and publishes information about government programs, but it does not run them or determine your benefits.