AARP did not endorse a presidential candidate in 2024

AARP as an organization does not endorse candidates for president. This is a deliberate policy choice. AARP remains officially neutral in presidential races and does not use its resources or name to support one candidate over another.

What AARP does instead is publish issue positions on topics that affect older adults—healthcare costs, Social Security, Medicare, prescription drug pricing—and then measure where each candidate stands on those issues. AARP members can then see the comparison and decide for themselves.

This neutrality applies even when AARP lobbies Congress or takes public positions on specific legislation. The organization separates its policy work from electoral endorsements.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP does not endorse presidential candidates and maintains this policy consistently across election cycles.
  • AARP publishes its positions on issues like Medicare, Social Security, and prescription drug costs, then documents where candidates stand on those same issues.
  • AARP members can access candidate comparison tools and issue scorecards on the AARP website to see how candidates align with their own priorities.
  • Individual AARP members are free to support or vote for any candidate; the organization's neutrality does not restrict member choice.

How AARP informs voters without endorsing

AARP publishes a list of issues it considers priorities for older adults and their families. In recent election cycles, these have included Medicare solvency, prescription drug affordability, Social Security protection, long-term care access, and caregiver support.

AARP then invites candidates to respond to questions about those issues. The responses are published side by side so voters can compare positions directly. This approach lets AARP fulfill its mission—representing older adults' interests—without picking a winner.

AARP also hosts forums and town halls where candidates answer questions from older voters. These events are open to the public and broadcast, giving AARP members a chance to hear candidates speak directly on topics that matter to them.

Why AARP stays neutral in presidential races

AARP's membership spans the political spectrum. Members include Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and people with no party affiliation. An endorsement would alienate a significant portion of the membership and could damage AARP's ability to work with whichever party holds power after the election.

AARP's strength in Congress comes partly from its reputation as a nonpartisan voice. If AARP endorsed candidates, it would lose that standing. Lawmakers from the losing side might be less willing to listen to AARP's positions on Medicare or Social Security in future sessions.

Neutrality also protects AARP's tax status. AARP is a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status, which comes with restrictions on how much political activity it can conduct. Endorsing candidates would cross a legal line that could jeopardize that status.

How to find where candidates stand on issues that matter to you

Start with AARP's website. During election years, AARP publishes a voter guide that lists its priority issues and shows how each major candidate answered questions about them. The guide is searchable by issue, so you can focus on the topics most important to you.

AARP also publishes issue briefs on specific topics—how each candidate's plan would affect Medicare premiums, for example, or what their Social Security proposals would mean for current beneficiaries. These briefs break down the details in plain language.

If you want to hear candidates speak directly, check AARP's events calendar. AARP often hosts candidate forums in swing states and publishes video recordings of those events online, even if you cannot attend in person.

What AARP does advocate for, regardless of who wins

AARP takes public positions on specific bills and policies, independent of which party is in power. For example, AARP has lobbied for lower prescription drug costs, protection of Social Security benefits, and expansion of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and dental care.

When Congress debates these issues, AARP testifies, publishes position papers, and mobilizes members to contact their representatives. This work continues no matter which party controls the House or Senate.

AARP also runs issue campaigns that span multiple election cycles. A campaign to lower prescription drug costs, for instance, might involve supporting specific legislation one year and then measuring candidates' positions on drug pricing in the next election cycle.

How individual AARP members can get involved politically

AARP membership does not require political agreement. Individual members are free to support, volunteer for, or vote for any candidate they choose. AARP's neutrality is an organizational position, not a restriction on members.

AARP publishes a separate section of its website called "AARP Advocates" where members can sign up to receive information about upcoming votes in Congress, contact their representatives on specific bills, or learn about local ballot measures. This is member-driven advocacy, not organizational endorsement.

Some AARP members also join AARP's state and local chapters, which sometimes take positions on state or local races. These chapter positions are separate from national AARP policy and reflect the priorities of that specific chapter's membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AARP support any candidate through its PAC or separate organization?

AARP has a separate political action committee (PAC), but it does not endorse presidential candidates. The PAC may support or oppose specific ballot measures or congressional candidates based on how they align with AARP's issue positions, but presidential endorsements remain off-limits.

Can I find out how a candidate voted on issues AARP cares about?

Yes. AARP publishes voting records for sitting members of Congress on issues like Medicare, Social Security, and prescription drug costs. If a candidate is a current or former elected official, you can look up their voting history on AARP's website or through Congress's official voting records.

What if a candidate refuses to answer AARP's questions?

AARP publishes that information too. If a candidate does not respond to AARP's questionnaire, AARP notes the non-response in its voter guide. This lets voters see which candidates engaged with the process and which did not.

How do I know which issues AARP considers priorities?

AARP publishes its policy agenda on its website, usually updated before each election cycle. The agenda lists the top issues affecting older adults and explains AARP's position on each one. You can also find issue briefs and fact sheets on specific topics like Medicare or caregiving.