Yes I am. And I have been since I was 50. I'm 62 now and I think it's really worth the price of the magazine. As I age it has become very valuable as it has information on everything from medicare, long term health insurance, travel, savings plans, laws and how they effect our age group, along with interesting stories on how people cope with retirement and aging parents, being laid off etc. Also there are success stories about everything that pertains to being over 50. Such as divorce, widowed, starting over alone...and it's not all "downer" stuff. I like the information on what discounts we can get (some I never knew of) places to travel for less money, places to live....

Anyway, sorry to go on and on. To me it's worth the money.

~Susan

Yes, DH and I just recently joined up, so I can't comment on it yet.

I used to belong and although I enjoyed reading the articles in the magazines, found the insurances way too expensive....Most places give the same discount with AAA or just showing your a sr. citizen....
Just my opinion....

I see no benefit to belonging.... so I haven't joined.

DH is a member (got $500 off a car if he was a member), and he see no benefit either.

The magazine we get bears no relevance to our lifestyle.
And we have no use for their insurances.

DH and I joined when we turned 50 last fall. I haven't had time to read the magazines yet *sigh* and calling to check on insurance is on my "to do" list.

Join for the discounts...but don't buy anything from them.

I became a member when Woody joined up and we only did it because we wanted the car/home insurance package deal that they offered that saves us about $800 a year, at least.

I don't care for how they use their voting block, though.

Nope, don't plan on joining either. Their rates for insurance are not the best. They should be doing more to get elderly drivers OFF the road rather then keeping them on the road. NancyLouise

They should be doing more to get elderly drivers OFF the road rather then keeping them on the road.

Define ELDERLY, please.

:-)

No way. Horrible political lobby couched in "taking care of seniors". DH signed up one year (doesn't think clearly at times). I countered by writing several checks to gun rights organizations.

As for deals there are several out there that meet or beat AARP's if one takes the time to ask.

Had my membership request in the mail the week before my 50th birthday.

Doesn't cost much to join, and the benefits are excellant. I don't have their insurance--I haven't found anyone who can match the premiums I pay for auto insurance, I have an excellant policy, with a fantastic company that's the most reasonable around. And we're still covered for health insurance under my husband's work policy.

But the magazine is good. You get better discounds, I find, with AARP than you do with AAA (I always ask about both and AARP always comes out ahead, at least where I've had occasion to check).

Most importantly, my mom had, my aunt has... the AARP supplemental health insurance. I didn't think the price was that bad for what you got, and the coverage was phenomenol. Between medicare and AARP, my mom rarely paid more than maybe $100 a year for her dr's appts, tests, etc. Medicare and AARP picked up about half the cost when she needed to buy a lift chair (medical insurance only pays for the motor, the patient has to pay for the 'furniture' portion of the bill). My aunt had to be rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy a few years back, and then spent a few weeks in a rehab facility afterwards, and had a home health aid for a few more weeks. Between medicare and AARP, her total out of pocket expenses were $70 for the abulance ride between the hospital and nursing home. And we've never once ever had to argue about a bill with the the AARP insurer--they really do a good job of keeping things simple and paying their share.

I'd say it's well worth it, but only you can tell if it's right for you. Can't hurt to give it a try for a year, evaluate and see if you want to continue.

I've been a member for several years. It is more beneficial to those who have retired, on social security, and Medicare. The health insurance that my wife and I chose 3 years ago has now become affilliated with AARP with no change to our coverage or service.

The most benefit that we have gotten is getting 10% off on motels when we take our annual vacation trip. This has been helpful. The remainder of the stuff, as applied to us, is mostly informational and alerts.

I joined again because I want their towing insurance. I am dropping my AAA towing after being a member since 1971.

Elderly has no set number, usually though over 70. they are the ones that mistake the gas for the brake and plow through a store window or into a group of pedestrians. They are the ones that think their driving independence is more important then the safety of others on the road, etc. The young, new drivers have restrictions on them when it comes to driving. So should the elderly drivers have restrictions on them when they no longer can keep up with the norm. NancyLouise

I have been for a number of years and like Flamey, not too happy about their politcal views, but their insurance is a savings. And, also, like Rita, I NEED to sit down and fill out an app for their medical. I have it, just need to get 'er done.

I joined AARP two years ago, it cost very little. I got a free gift, a calculator, and I like the discounts and their magazine. I have good car and health insurance already, and I'm suspicious of their politics. But I like the magazine and discounts.

just curious - how old are you nancylouise?

We used to belong, but quit. Worst insurance we ever had (Hartford) We paid less and got nothing when we filed a claim. My DH was an insurance agent for years and he didn't want to stay with them, since our records were good and other companies paid the few claims we ever filed. At least that's what happened to us.

I'm 52. NancyLouise

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10259 people between 16 and 24 were killed in accidents in 2006. 4980 people age 65 and older died in 2006. Most deaths in all age categories are alcohol related and the result of non-compliant seat belt use. 36% of teen deaths from all causes are the result of auto accidents.

I am still sorting for fender-benders by age and sex, and by injuries that do not result in death. However, so far it looks like the "elderly" have much lower rates for all kinds of accidents than any other age group, even as percentage comparisons between age groups(percentage of people in a given age group who drive.) People over the age of 60 are issued fewer traffic tickets than all other groups combined.

Because older drivers tend to have fewer accidents and traffic violations, insurance rates for older drivers are generally lower than for younger drivers. Rate differ because of geographic area and car type. Males have more than twice as many accidents as females in all categories.

The statistics go on and on, but you get the drift. Stats are much more valuable than anecdotal evidence and personal experience; you don't get many juicy stories from stats - it's the stories about freak accidents that stick in our minds.

Yes, everyone knows the stats, elderly drivers are supposedly the "safer" driver, bla.bla,bla. Maine being one of the oldest states in the age of it residents and visitors must have more of it's share of the bad drivers. And I put personal experience and what is happening around me above the national stats. NancyLouise

AARP is nothing more than an insurance lobbyist.

This is OT, NancyLouise, but if you don't rely on stats, what do you rely on? If we each put our own personal experience to use, we'd have chaos. What about speed limits? Just b/c you may never have had an accident doesn't mean it won't happen to you. Your odds increase statistically every time you get in a car.

Statistics necessarily rule our lives.

I am 60 and do not belong to AARP.

In this particular case (elderly driving) sherrman, I believe what I see and read (news articles and police reports). Doesn't mean I don't rely on stats ever, although I do look with a raised eyebrow stats that come from committees that are funded by the same groups that give the stats, if that makes any sense in the way I said it. NancyLouise

yes and we both belong.i like the magazine and have used the card while traveling...(about 10% savings bout the same as aaa)

I love statistics. Stats show that 40% of all fatal car accidents involve alcohol. Ergo, 60% of all fatal accidents have no alcohol involved. Therefore, let's all drink up and save lives.

Yes, everyone knows the stats, elderly drivers are supposedly the "safer" driver, bla.bla,bla....I put personal experience and what is happening around me above the national stats.

If you are having more than the average number of problems on the road, maybe it isn't the other drivers.

:-)