Is Getting an AARP Membership Worth it?

If you, like me, are 50+ (I consider it “late 40ish”), you probably were a little disheartened to receive your invitation to join AARP in the mail on your 50th birthday. Not that AARP isn’t a fantastic organization, but because it’s a sure sign you are, like all of us, aging. As soon as I saw that AARP envelope, I thought, Well, it’s official. I’m old. But hey, honestly, there are lots of perks to getting older. (It’s certainly better than the alternative.) No one expects me to stay up late anymore or do my own yard work. And yes, you can get amazing discounts and benefits from AARP. And guess what? You don’t have to be 50+ to join. There are no age requirements. Recently, thanks to its viral popularity on Tik Tok, lots of young people have signed up for AARP — because everyone can appreciate a great deal. All the cool kids are doing it. Here’s why you should too.

AARP MORE THAN PAYS FOR ITSELF First, let’s consider the cost. An AARP membership is technically $16, unless you sign up for auto-renew (which, why wouldn’t you?), in which case it is only $12 for your first year. A whole year! And you can add your spouse to your membership for free. I mean, you’ll spend $12 on a 4-pack of light bulbs or a decent pot roast, and if you use your AARP benefits and discounts, you can get that money back in savings right away. Even better, that $12 goes to support programs that empower Americans 50+ and their families, such as advocacy efforts to protect Medicare and Social Security, lowering prescription drug prices, supporting caregivers, preventing elder fraud and age discrimination, and so much more. So, even if you didn’t use any of the benefits and discounts that AARP offers, joining would still be worth it, because you’d get the satisfaction of helping others and ensuring that, as you and your friends get older, you’ll reap the benefits of AARP’s work. Joining is a win-win.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? But, come on. Who doesn’t love exclusive membership benefits, perks and discounts? Who doesn’t get a rush from saving money? I know I do. Here are just a few of the AARP member benefits you’ll enjoy when you join: Eat out more: Save up to 15% on your favorite restaurants near you Stay healthy: Get a discount on your prescription drugs, OTC drugs, supplements and more Travel the world: Receive exclusive discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises and vacation packages Stop squinting: Get up to 30% off a complete pair of glasses and 50% prescription lenses Fill ‘er up: Save up to $120 a year on gas when you connect your AARP membership to Exxon Mobile Rewards+ Besides all these great discounts, AARP offers a wide range of services including financial tools, tax preparation and filing services, job search assistance, retirement planning, and much more. IT’S DEFINITELY WORTH IT So, the answer is yes. Joining AARP is a no-brainer. When you take advantage of all the amazing benefits and offers, your membership will quickly pay for itself — plus, you’ll be helping ensure a better future for our generation and other generations to come. Let’s do this! Join AARP today. It doesn’t make you older — just wiser.