What AARP Membership Includes and What It Costs
AARP offers membership to people age 50 and older. As of 2024, the standard membership cost is $16 per year, or about $1.33 per month. AARP also offers a three-year membership option for $43, which works out to roughly $1.19 per month. These prices have remained relatively stable over the past several years, though AARP does adjust them periodically.
Learn About Collecting Valuable Vintage Tech →
When you pay for AARP membership, you receive access to several categories of offerings. The membership includes a monthly magazine called AARP The Magazine, which arrives in print form. Members can also read content on AARP's website and through their mobile application at no additional cost beyond the membership fee. The website contains articles about health, caregiving, work, money, and lifestyle topics written specifically for people over 50.
Membership also provides access to AARP's online community and discussion forums where members can connect with others who have similar interests or are dealing with comparable life situations. These forums cover topics ranging from travel experiences to retirement planning discussions to health management strategies.
The membership card itself serves as a form of identification that qualifies members for discounts at various retailers and service providers across the country. These discounts vary by location and business type but commonly include restaurants, hotels, car rentals, movie theaters, and pharmacies. The specific businesses offering discounts change over time, so members can check the AARP website for a current list of participating retailers in their area.
Practical takeaway: Before purchasing membership, visit AARP.org and search for participating businesses near your location. If you find multiple retailers where you shop regularly that offer member discounts, the membership fee could pay for itself within the first year.
Understanding AARP's Free Resources and Information Services
AARP provides a substantial amount of information and resources at no cost, even to people who are not members. This distinction is important: some AARP content requires paid membership, but much does not. The organization maintains an extensive online library of articles, guides, and educational materials that anyone can read without paying.
Free Guide to Inflatable Yacht Performance and Portability →
The free resources cover major life areas for people over 50. In the health category, AARP publishes information about managing chronic conditions, understanding Medicare options, nutrition for aging adults, and exercise routines suited for various fitness levels. In the money section, free guides discuss Social Security, retirement planning basics, avoiding financial scams, and managing debt. The caregiving section offers information about recognizing when a family member may need care, finding local resources, and managing stress as a caregiver.
AARP also provides free tax assistance through a program called Tax-Aide, offered in partnership with the IRS. Trained volunteer tax preparers offer free tax preparation services at locations throughout the country during tax season, primarily for people with lower to moderate incomes. This service has no membership requirement—anyone over 60 (or younger if they meet income requirements) can use it. The locations, dates, and registration information appear on AARP's website during tax season, typically starting in January.
The organization offers free webinars and virtual classes on various topics. These sessions, which members and non-members can attend, cover subjects like Medicare enrollment, managing arthritis, technology training for seniors, and financial planning topics. Some webinars require registration in advance, while others allow viewers to watch recordings after they air.
AARP publishes free downloadable guides on specific topics that people can read on their computers or save to their devices. These guides are typically written in clear language and include practical checklists or worksheets. Past guides have covered topics such as caregiving planning, home modifications for aging in place, and understanding prescription drug coverage.
Practical takeaway: Browse AARP.org's free content before deciding whether membership makes sense for you. Keep the Tax-Aide program in mind if you're over 60 and looking for affordable tax preparation help—this benefit alone might justify the membership cost if you typically pay for tax preparation.
Member Discounts: What Savings Actually Look Like
AARP's primary selling point beyond information access is its discount program. Members can receive reduced prices at numerous chains and independent businesses. However, the actual value of these discounts varies significantly depending on which businesses participate in your area and how much you use them.
Understanding the Oshkosh Housing Authority Free Guide →
In the hotel and travel category, many major chains participate, including Best Western, Choice Hotels (which includes Comfort Inn and Quality Inn), Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, and Wyndham properties. Member discounts typically range from 5 to 15 percent off standard room rates, though the discount percentage varies by property and season. For example, a member might receive a 10 percent discount on a $150 per night hotel stay, saving $15 per night or $75 for a five-night trip.
Car rental companies offering AARP member discounts include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National. Discounts generally range from 5 to 25 percent depending on the company and specific rental. A member renting a car for seven days at $50 per day (total $350) with a 15 percent discount would save $52.50.
Restaurant discounts are offered at thousands of locations, though these tend to be smaller percentages—typically 10 to 15 percent off. Some restaurants participate only in certain regions. Fast-casual and casual dining chains like Applebee's, Bob Evans, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's, Denny's, and Red Robin offer discounts at many locations, though not all franchises honor the discount.
Pharmacy and health service discounts appear through retailers like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, often providing discounts on medications or health products. Movie theater chains like AMC and Regal offer matinee ticket discounts to members. Some movie theaters show special discount days for seniors regardless of AARP membership, so members should compare pricing.
To calculate whether membership will save you money, consider your typical spending patterns. If you travel once per year and save $50 on a hotel stay, take one car rental trip saving $40, and eat out at AARP-participating restaurants twice monthly (saving roughly $4 per visit, or $96 annually), your total annual savings would be approximately $186. This would cover the $16 annual membership cost roughly 11 times over.
However, if you rarely travel, don't eat out often, and shop at retailers that don't participate in the AARP discount program, the membership may not provide sufficient savings. Some discounts also come with restrictions—such as blackout dates for hotels or advance booking requirements.
Practical takeaway: Make a list of restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and retailers where you spend money regularly. Search AARP.org's discount database for each one and note the discount percentage. Calculate your potential annual savings before deciding membership is worthwhile for you.
Insurance Products: Separate from Membership but Available to Members
AARP offers various insurance products including auto, home, health, and life insurance. It's crucial to understand that these insurance products are separate from AARP membership. You do not receive insurance coverage simply by becoming a member. Additionally, the insurance products are underwritten by third-party insurance companies, not by AARP itself—AARP partners with these companies to offer products to members at negotiated rates.
Understanding Liver Function Tests at Home →
AARP advertises auto and home insurance heavily. These products are underwritten by major insurance carriers. AARP member discounts on auto insurance typically range from 5 to 25 percent depending on the insurer and your specific situation, such as your driving record and the type of vehicle. You would need to get a quote from the insurance company to see what your actual rate would be as an AARP member compared to the standard rate.
Medicare Supplement insurance (also called Medigap) is available to members through various carriers. These policies are designed to cover certain costs that Original Medicare doesn't pay, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies are standardized by federal regulation, meaning Plan A from one company provides the same coverage as Plan A from another company, but rates can differ. AARP-partnered Medigap plans may be available at rates that are competitive with other insurers.
Term life insurance and whole life insurance products are offered through AARP partnerships. These are individual policies that would need to be purchased separately from membership. The rates and terms depend