They do have a website you could check out but the most important thing that AARP does is lobby for Seniors..regardless what the issue is...AARP tries to do the right thing for seniors. My husband and I have always been a member...We joined way back when we were like 55 or so.

I agree with Ruthie. AARP is a huge and powerful lobby. Membership supports that lobby, and has some additional perks as well, such as discounts at hotels, etc., and a nice magazine. The magazine, by the way, has the largest circulation of any in the US, I believe.

We belong--or Harry does. Only one mate has to be a member. It's good for discounts on motels, but no better than AAA in most cases.

They are a strong voice in government pushing for the elderly rights (which there is a growing number of us).

Since I'm not eligible for Medicare yet I have an individual health insurance policy through them, but you don't have to be a member to get it.

They send a magazine every month with articles and tips that are sometimes helpful. It's cheap to belong. But I'm not sure it's a biggie impact for us.

Hope this helped.

I'll add that there are thousands of local chapters of the AARP that do locally what AARP nationally does for seniors...They lobby not only the government but big drug companies...The local chapters have city wide and state wide volunteers that help out in senior programs...things like those alarm things that seniors who are housebound can use...One of my jobs was to Co-ordinator for all of the local nursing homes in our area...to offer any help we could and we did things like send ladies with sewing machines to mend clothing...women to volunteer to give manicures, we furnished prizes for bingos and gifts for birthdays...

There was a thread on AARP awhile back. I did a search but it didn't turn up...I guess they still have bugs in the search engine. Once I waded through all of the "political opinions" posted in the last thread (NOT the same kind as the nice ones above), I read enough to know that it would be a good thing for DH and I. He just got his invitation *grin* to join a few months ago. What I read here at the KT was that if you travel at ALL and stay in a motel or RV park, you will likely get enough discounts to pay your dues. The insurance is (by some accounts) very affordable, too.

I had my membership in the mail a week before I turned 50. Wouldn't be without it.

As mentioned above, you get great discounts with your card (I find the hotel discounts are better than the ones you get with AAA), you have a powerful lobby group working for you on issues that will affect us all as we age.

Their supplemental health insurance is excellant--both my mom and aunt have it and with that and their medicare coverage, they rarely ever have to pay anything toward their dr's visits or tests.

It's very inexpensive to join--check out the website, see if it offers benefits you might use, and if you still aren't sure, you could 'audition' them for a year or so for only a few $$$, and if you aren't happy, just don't renew.

My Dad had the AARP secondary health insurance.
He bought the policy when he turned sixty five.
The year of his death he spent over six months in ICU; the bill was a million and half dollars. What medicare didn't pay, AARP did. Like any insurance though, AARP balked when the claim was first submitted but paid the second time.

Hubby and I are in the process of becoming members.

Lori

I've been a member since I was 50. I get my car insurance through them. Also homeowners and my trailer. Hartford Insurance.
Leslie

I forgot we had our car insurance and homeowners through The Hartford (who sells policies through AARP). When we bought this house they told us they no longer insure homes in FL so they lost our car policy also. Hmmph!

Have to say, their rates are really reasonable, but that doesn't help if they won't insure you.

DH has been a member for sometime now, he also carrys there secondary insurance and have never had a problem about that. I like reading his mag. he gets from them. This month it's about all the medicines doctors sub. out cause they get such a huge kick back and AARP is trying to do something about this.

As many have said, there are a lot of perks. It doesn't cost much to belong. The magazine alone is worth the cost of membership.

Here is a link to a pretty good article about some of the better known lobbys. The author addresses AARP about half-way down the page including clickable links within the body of the article to AARP policies.

I urge everyone to read this article and explore the links carefully before giving a dime to this socialistic, profit making organization.

Here is a link that might be useful: ARRP and other Lobbyists