You can join AARP the month you turn 50
AARP membership opens on the first day of the month in which you turn 50. You do not have to wait until your birthday itself — if you turn 50 on June 15, you can join starting June 1. There is no minimum age requirement beyond 50, and no upper age limit. Once you join, your membership continues as long as you pay the annual fee and keep your contact information current.
The standard membership fee is $16 per year. AARP occasionally runs promotional rates — sometimes $12 for the first year or a two-year membership at a discount — but these vary by season and how you join. You can join online, by phone, or by mail. Online is fastest; the process takes about 10 minutes and membership begins when ready after payment clears.
You do not need to prove your age when you join online. AARP verifies your birth date against public records after you submit your process. If there is a mismatch, they will contact you to confirm before processing your membership.
Key Takeaways
- You become may be able to access to join AARP on the first day of the month you turn 50, not on your actual birthday.
- Annual membership costs $16, though promotional rates of $12 or less for the first year are common.
- You can join online in about 10 minutes, and membership begins as soon as your payment processes.
- AARP verifies your age against public records after you join, so you do not need to submit a birth certificate.
- Membership renews automatically each year unless you cancel, and you can manage your account online anytime.
How to join online, by phone, or by mail
The online route is the fastest. Go to aarp.org, click "Join or Renew," and enter your name, date of birth, email, and mailing address. You will be asked to create a username and password for your AARP account. Then you choose your membership term (one year or two years) and payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank account. After payment processes, you receive a confirmation email with your membership number. Your digital membership card appears in your account when ready; a physical card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
If you prefer to join by phone, call AARP at 1-888-687-2277. A representative will walk you through the same questions and process your payment over the phone. This takes about 15 minutes. You will receive your membership number by phone and can request that they email or mail your card.
To join by mail, read the membership form from aarp.org or request one by calling the number above. Fill it out, include a check or money order, and mail it to the address on the form. Processing takes two to four weeks from the date AARP receives your form.
What happens if you join before you turn 50
You cannot join AARP before the month you turn 50. If you attempt to join early, the online system will reject your process, and a phone representative will tell you to call back once you are may be able to access. There is no waitlist or early-bird option.
Some people receive AARP marketing mail or emails before they turn 50. This is normal — AARP purchases age-based mailing lists and begins outreach a few months before someone becomes may be able to access. You can ignore these until you are ready to join, or you can unsubscribe from the mailings by following the link in the email or calling 1-888-687-2277.
Renewing your membership and managing your account
AARP sends renewal notices 60 days before your membership expires. You can renew online, by phone, or by mail using the same methods as joining. Most members set up automatic renewal, which charges your payment method each year on your renewal date. You can turn automatic renewal on or off anytime in your AARP account online.
If you do not renew by your expiration date, your membership lapses. You can rejoin at any time by paying the current annual fee. There is no penalty for letting your membership lapse, and you do not lose your account history or any discounts you had previously set up.
You can update your address, email, phone number, and payment method in your AARP account online without calling. If you need to change your name or date of birth, you will need to contact AARP by phone at 1-888-687-2277, as these changes require verification.
Membership benefits that begin when ready
Once your membership is active, you can use AARP's online resources right away — including their health and caregiving articles, financial planning tools, and member-only discounts on travel, dining, and retail. You can also enroll in AARP-sponsored insurance products like supplemental health insurance, auto and home insurance, and life insurance, though these are separate purchases with their own costs and underwriting.
Discounts at retailers like Best Buy, Walgreens, and many hotels and restaurants are available when ready with your membership number. Some discounts require you to show your physical membership card in person, while others work online with a code. Your AARP account lists which discounts are available in your area.
If you join partway through the year, your membership runs through the same month the following year. For example, if you join in August, your first membership year ends in August of the next year, and your renewal notice will arrive in June.
Cost differences between joining at different times of year
The base membership fee is $16 per year regardless of when you join. However, AARP runs seasonal promotions that can lower your first-year cost. These promotions typically run in January, around tax time in April, and during the fall. A promotional rate might be $12 for the first year, or $24 for two years instead of $32.
If you join during a promotion, you pay the promotional rate for that first year only. Your renewal the following year will be at the standard $16 rate unless another promotion is running at that time. You can check aarp.org to see what current offers are available, or a phone representative can tell you what rates are active when you call.
There is no financial advantage to joining early in the year versus late in the year beyond whatever promotion happens to be running. Your membership year runs from your join date forward, so you are not paying for unused months.
If you have questions about your membership status
You can check whether you are currently a member by logging into your AARP account online. Your membership status, expiration date, and membership number all appear on your account dashboard. If you cannot remember your username or password, use the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" link on the login page, and AARP will send you a reset link by email.
If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one at aarp.org using your membership number and date of birth. Your membership number appears on your physical membership card, in your confirmation email, or in any renewal notice AARP has sent you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join AARP before I turn 50?
No. AARP membership begins on the first day of the month you turn 50. If you try to join earlier, your process will be rejected. You can check back once you reach that month.
What if I turn 50 on the last day of the month?
You can join on the first day of that month, not the last. For example, if your birthday is June 30, you can join starting June 1. You do not have to wait until June 30.
Do I have to renew every year, or can I pay for multiple years at once?
You can pay for one year or two years at a time. A two-year membership sometimes costs less than two separate one-year memberships, especially during promotions. After two years, you renew again for another one or two years.
What happens if I do not renew before my membership expires?
Your membership ends, but you can rejoin anytime by paying the current annual fee. You do not lose your account or any information. There is no penalty or waiting period to rejoin.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after joining?
AARP offers a 30-day money-back may provide. If you join and decide membership is not for you within 30 days, contact AARP at 1-888-687-2277 to request a refund of your membership fee.