Learn About AARP and Walmart Plus Membership Options

Understanding AARP Membership and What It Offers

AARP is a nonprofit organization focused on helping people aged 50 and older navigate various aspects of life, including health, finances, and lifestyle. Founded in 1958, AARP has grown to represent millions of members across the United States. The organization operates on a membership model where individuals pay an annual fee to join and receive access to various resources, discounts, and information.

AARP membership typically costs $16 per year for the first year, and then $24 annually for renewals. This membership fee provides access to a range of information resources, not direct benefits from the government. It's important to understand that AARP is a private organization, separate from any government agency, though it does advocate on policy matters affecting older adults.

The organization offers information and educational resources about topics including healthcare decisions, financial planning, caregiving, work options for older adults, and retirement planning. AARP also provides access to member discounts through partner companies in various sectors such as travel, dining, shopping, and entertainment. These discounts vary by location and partner.

AARP publishes magazines, maintains a website with articles and tools, and offers online courses on various topics. The organization also runs community programs and provides information about programs offered through government agencies, though AARP itself is not a government entity. Members can access these resources either through the AARP website or at local AARP chapters found throughout the country.

Takeaway: AARP membership is a paid subscription to an organization that provides information resources and access to member discounts. Understanding what AARP actually is—a private nonprofit organization—helps clarify what services and information it can and cannot provide.

Exploring Walmart Plus and Its Core Features

Walmart Plus is a membership program operated by Walmart, one of the largest retail companies in the United States. Launched in 2020, Walmart Plus operates as a subscription service designed to provide shopping conveniences and cost savings for frequent Walmart customers. Unlike government benefit programs, Walmart Plus is a commercial membership offered by a private retail company.

The membership costs $98 per year, or approximately $13 per month if paid monthly. This fee provides access to various shopping benefits designed to save time and money for people who shop at Walmart regularly. Walmart Plus members can use their membership both in physical Walmart stores and on the Walmart website for online shopping.

Key features of Walmart Plus include fuel discounts, typically ranging from 5 to 10 cents per gallon at Walmart fuel stations across the country. Members also receive unlimited free delivery from local Walmart stores on eligible orders placed online, with no minimum purchase amount required. The program offers scan-and-go technology in select stores, which allows members to scan items using their phones as they shop, then pay through the app without waiting in checkout lines.

Additional features may include access to member-exclusive prices on certain items, early access to online deals on designated days, and discounts at Walmart-owned properties like Sam's Club. The specific benefits can vary based on location and current promotions. Walmart Plus members can check their app or account to see what benefits are available in their area.

Takeaway: Walmart Plus is a retail membership program focused on saving members time and money through features like free delivery, fuel discounts, and faster checkout options. It's a subscription service paid directly to Walmart, separate from any membership with other organizations like AARP.

How AARP and Walmart Plus Can Work Together

While AARP and Walmart Plus are separate organizations with different purposes, they can complement each other in the shopping experience. AARP members may find value in having both memberships if they shop frequently at Walmart and want to take advantage of both the AARP discounts and the Walmart Plus shopping conveniences.

One way these memberships can work together is through discount stacking. AARP members sometimes receive special discount codes or offers from Walmart through AARP's member discount program. Additionally, Walmart Plus members can apply their fuel discounts on top of any other discount offers they may have through other memberships or credit cards they use.

For older adults who are AARP members and frequent Walmart shoppers, having Walmart Plus can streamline the shopping process through features like free delivery and scan-and-go checkout, while AARP membership provides access to broader discounts and information resources that extend beyond shopping. Some people find that the combination of memberships helps them save money across different areas of spending.

It's worth noting that neither membership is required to shop at Walmart or benefit from Walmart's general pricing. However, for people who shop there frequently, the subscription costs of Walmart Plus might be offset by fuel discounts and free delivery savings over the course of a year. Similarly, AARP membership benefits vary based on individual usage of discounts and resources available in each person's area.

To determine if both memberships make sense for your situation, you can calculate your typical monthly spending at Walmart, how often you purchase fuel, and whether you would use the delivery service. Then compare those potential savings against the membership costs.

Takeaway: AARP and Walmart Plus serve different purposes but can be used together. Those considering both memberships should calculate whether the subscription costs are justified by the discounts and conveniences they would actually use.

Membership Costs and Comparing Value

When evaluating whether to join AARP, Walmart Plus, or both, understanding the actual costs and potential savings is important. AARP costs $16 for the first year and $24 for subsequent years. Walmart Plus costs $98 annually or $13 monthly. Combined, the annual cost of both memberships would be $122 in the first year, or $122 in subsequent years if renewing both.

To evaluate whether these memberships provide value, consider specific examples. A Walmart Plus member who fills up their vehicle once weekly at Walmart fuel stations and saves an average of 7 cents per gallon on a 15-gallon fill-up would save $5.25 per week, or approximately $273 per year. This alone could exceed the membership cost for some people.

However, not everyone shops at Walmart frequently or uses fuel at Walmart stations. A person who shops there occasionally would need to carefully consider whether they would recoup the membership cost through other benefits like free delivery. Walmart Plus free delivery is unlimited for eligible orders with no minimum purchase, so this benefit becomes more valuable for people who order online regularly.

AARP's value varies significantly based on location and individual usage. Some areas offer more partner discounts than others. A person might receive 10-15% discounts at certain restaurants, hotels, and retailers in their area, while someone in a different location might find fewer participating partners. AARP also offers information resources, magazine subscriptions, and online tools that have no direct monetary cost but provide value through knowledge and planning.

When comparing these memberships to other options, consider store loyalty programs. Many retailers offer free loyalty programs with discounts and personalized offers. These free programs don't require membership fees and can provide similar savings in some cases. The decision to join AARP or Walmart Plus should be based on actual usage patterns rather than potential benefits that may not apply to your situation.

Takeaway: Calculate your own potential savings based on your shopping habits and frequency before purchasing either membership. Keep in mind that membership costs must be offset by actual usage of the included benefits.

Information Resources Provided by AARP

Beyond discounts, AARP provides substantial information resources about topics relevant to people aged 50 and older. The AARP website contains articles, guides, and tools organized by topic areas including health and wellness, money and work, caregiving, entertainment, and technology. These resources are available to members and are updated regularly with current information.

AARP publishes AARP Magazine and AARP Bulletin, which are distributed to members. These publications contain articles about health topics, financial planning, travel ideas, and lifestyle issues. The magazine also includes information about programs and policies that may affect older adults. Additionally, AARP maintains a website with video content, podcasts, and interactive tools for learning about various topics.

The organization provides information about programs that may be available through government agencies, such as Medicare, Social Security, and programs for low-income seniors. It's important to note that AARP provides information about these programs but does not operate them. For official information or to work with these programs