Learn About AARP Membership Perks and Programs

What AARP Membership Covers: An Overview of Member Benefits

AARP is a nonprofit organization with more than 38 million members. The organization offers a range of programs and discounts designed for people aged 50 and older. Understanding what comes with membership helps you know what programs and resources may be available to you.

When you become an AARP member, you receive access to their magazine, which comes out 10 times per year and covers topics relevant to older adults. The organization also publishes a monthly newsletter with news about health, finances, and other subjects of interest to members. These publications provide information on topics like Social Security, Medicare, caregiving, and retirement planning.

Membership also includes access to AARP's website and mobile app, where you can find articles, videos, and interactive tools. The website has sections dedicated to different life areas, including health and wellness, money and work, caregiving, and entertainment. Members can use tools like calculators for retirement planning or video tutorials on topics like technology and personal finance.

AARP offers discounts with various companies and retailers. These discounts may apply to restaurants, hotels, car rentals, insurance products, and entertainment venues. The specific discounts available can vary by location and change over time. Members receive information about current offers through their membership materials and the AARP website.

AARP also runs educational programs and community events. Local AARP chapters hold classes, workshops, and social gatherings in many communities. Topics covered include technology training, health and fitness, financial planning, and caregiving support.

Practical Takeaway: Review the AARP website to see the range of magazines, online resources, and current discount offers available through membership. This gives you a clearer picture of what may be useful for your specific interests and needs.

Health and Wellness Programs Within AARP

AARP provides information and resources related to health and wellness for older adults. These programs are educational in nature and may help members learn about health topics and lifestyle choices.

The organization offers extensive information about Medicare, including how the program works, when to enroll, and what different coverage options mean. AARP provides guides explaining Medicare Parts A, B, D, and Medigap plans. This information can help you understand your coverage choices. AARP also offers a tool where you can enter information about your medications to see how different Part D plans compare based on your specific prescriptions.

AARP provides articles and resources about common health conditions affecting older adults, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cognitive health. The organization publishes information about prevention strategies, symptom recognition, and how to talk with your doctor about health concerns. AARP also offers information about healthy aging, including nutrition, physical activity, and sleep.

The organization provides caregiver resources for people who care for aging family members or friends. These resources include information about common caregiving challenges, stress management, and finding local support services. AARP runs the Caregiver Resource Center online, which has articles, videos, and a support group network.

AARP also partners with various health organizations to provide information campaigns on topics like fall prevention, hearing health, vision health, and brain health. The organization publishes research findings and expert perspectives on health topics relevant to older adults.

Practical Takeaway: Use AARP's Medicare comparison tools and health information guides when making decisions about your health coverage or when you want to learn more about managing specific health conditions. These resources may help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare providers.

Financial Planning and Money Management Resources

AARP provides educational materials about financial topics relevant to people 50 and older. The organization offers information on retirement planning, Social Security, long-term care planning, and fraud prevention.

AARP publishes guides explaining how Social Security works, including information about when you can start receiving benefits and how your benefit amount is calculated. The organization provides articles comparing strategies for claiming Social Security at different ages, showing how waiting to claim may affect your lifetime benefits. While these materials provide information, they do not make personalized recommendations for your specific situation.

The organization offers retirement planning tools and calculators on its website. These tools allow you to enter information about your age, income, savings, and life expectancy to see projections about whether your retirement savings may last. AARP also provides worksheets and checklists to help organize your financial information and thinking through retirement goals.

AARP publishes educational materials about protecting yourself from fraud and financial scams. The organization provides information about common scams targeting older adults and warning signs to watch for. This includes fraud related to Medicare, Social Security, tech support, romance scams, and grandparent scams. AARP's resources explain how to report fraud if you encounter it.

The organization also provides information about long-term care planning, including nursing homes, assisted living, and home care options. AARP publishes guides explaining different care settings, costs, and questions to ask when evaluating care facilities.

Practical Takeaway: Use AARP's retirement calculators and Social Security guides when thinking through your financial future. Keep AARP's fraud prevention resources on hand and share them with family members to help protect yourself and loved ones from scams.

Work, Career, and Job Search Support for Members Over 50

AARP recognizes that many people over 50 continue working or seek employment. The organization provides resources about job searching, workplace issues, and career development for older workers.

AARP's job board (AARP.org/jobs) allows people 50 and older to search for positions that may be interested in hiring mature workers. Many employers post jobs specifically on this board because they value the experience and reliability of older workers. The job board covers various industries and includes part-time, full-time, and contract positions.

The organization publishes articles and guides about resume writing, interviewing, and job search strategies specifically tailored to older workers. AARP addresses common concerns about age discrimination in hiring and provides information about your legal protections. The organization explains the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects workers 40 and older from age-based discrimination.

AARP also provides resources about starting a business or becoming self-employed later in life. Articles cover topics like business planning, funding options, and managing business finances. The organization features success stories of entrepreneurs who started businesses after age 50.

The organization offers information about workplace rights, including paid leave policies, flexible work arrangements, and accommodations for health conditions. AARP publishes guides about managing work and caregiving responsibilities, recognizing that many people over 50 balance employment with caring for aging parents or grandchildren.

Practical Takeaway: If you are seeking work or considering a career change, explore AARP's job board and resources about resume writing and interviewing. These materials may help you present your skills and experience effectively to potential employers.

Technology Training and Digital Literacy Programs

AARP provides extensive technology education for older adults who want to learn computer and internet skills. Many local AARP chapters offer in-person classes, while the organization also offers online learning resources.

AARP's technology programs cover basic computer skills, internet safety, email, social media, and using smartphones and tablets. Classes range from absolute beginner level to intermediate skills. For example, a beginner class might cover how to turn on a computer and use a mouse, while an intermediate class might cover how to manage photos or video calls.

The organization published a guide called "Staying Safe Online," which explains how to protect yourself from identity theft, phishing scams, and malware. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating strong passwords, recognizing suspicious emails, and using security software. AARP also offers information about privacy settings on social media platforms and how to control what information is shared online.

AARP's website includes video tutorials on technology topics. These videos demonstrate how to perform specific tasks, like setting up email, using Google Maps, making video calls, or backing up files. Many videos are under five minutes long and can be watched repeatedly.

The organization also offers resources about emerging technology topics relevant to older adults, such as smart home devices, wearable health trackers, and telehealth platforms. These articles explain what the technology does, how to use it, and privacy considerations.

Practical Takeaway: If technology feels overwhelming, start with AARP's beg