AARP, previously known as the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit that aims to support the country’s older adults. Today, it tries to assist all seniors, whether retired or not, in enhancing their wellness, social engagement, and financial independence. Seniors who are AARP members get financial perks like discounts and combo deals on certain services, as well as access to other benefits and programs that help improve their quality of life.
Membership costs
To become an AARP member, one has to pay a fee. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of plan, the kind of service, and the area of residence. That said, AARP membership usually costs as little as $12 for the first year. Following this, one would typically need to pay a service charge of $16 to keep the subscription going. AARP also offers multi-year membership plans with the option of risk-free cancellation. If one wants to subscribe for five years in one go, they can make a $63 one-time payment, i.e., they are technically paying a little over $12 for each consecutive year as opposed to $16. If one is wondering why they should join AARP, one must note that the membership offers considerable value for money in the form of its member perks. This is because the primary goal of AARP is to provide seniors and retired persons with monetary assistance to aid their financial independence.
AARP membership benefits
1. Cruise discounts
This is one of the many AARP travel discounts members can access. For instance, AARP members get exclusive access to discounted stays. When it comes to cruise trips, AARP members can make the most of exclusive discounts on tours offered by select cruise companies, low booking fees (even when opting for luxury river trips), onboard credit on eligible cruises, and combo rail and cruise deals. Such benefits allow seniors to easily plan and go on their bucket list trips.
2. Free online movies
This perk is worth considering for seniors who enjoy films. Here, AARP offers its own streaming app, where members can access free-of-cost movie screenings through the “Movies For Grownups” program. Using the app, members can check out what shows and films are available and sign up to watch them online. A highlight of this initiative is that the viewing list usually consists of critically acclaimed as well as popular movies and series.
3. Insurance coverage
Insurance offers monetary protection from various unforeseen circumstances. However, paying premiums for any insurance policy can get expensive, especially for senior policyholders. This is because plans tend to get costlier as the policyholder gets older. To address this issue, AARP offers its members affordable insurance plans and tailor-made policies that account for seniors’ needs. Some such options include coverage for expert care, life insurance policies, low-cost auto insurance deals, and long-term wellness insurance policies.
Other examples of low-cost insurance options of AARP membership for seniors include roadside protection and assistance, combinations of home and auto cost coverage policies, and fixed-premium wellness expense coverage.
4. Discounts on phone services
Certain network providers offer various discounts for AARP members. Some of them include discounts on new network lines (valid on unlimited premium plans), eligible phone accessories, and personal safety devices. These discounts are designed to help seniors opt for good phone services to stay connected to their loved ones and have uninterrupted access to the essentials and resources they need.
5. Access to various financial services
To ensure that AARP members maintain their financial independence, some of the AARP benefits for seniors are free-of-cost identity theft protection services, unique credit cards with cashback rewards, access to financial advisory services, and discounts on tax preparation services. These perks help members manage their money better, protect their assets, and steer clear of financial scammers, both online and offline.
6. Dining and shopping deals
Once eligible seniors sign up for an AARP membership, they can make the most of deals such as 10% off at their favorite steakhouses, diner chains, and other partner restaurants. Other financial perks of an AARP membership include exclusive discounts in select online and offline retail stores. With an AARP membership, one can also enjoy deals on electronics and appliances, which can otherwise be quite expensive. These deals are valid only at electronic stores affiliated with the nonprofit.
7. Access to legal services
Generally, people have to shell out massive amounts of money to get high-quality legal services from top lawyers and legal firms. On a limited income, accessing such services can be quite difficult. AARP addresses this problem by offering members access to free or discounted legal advice and assistance. With this, members could get some advice on estate planning and will preparation. This is a crucial perk of membership to consider, as it helps seniors safeguard their rights, deal with serious legal matters, and ensure that their wishes and needs are properly documented with the help of reliable lawyers.
While these perks can help seniors save money, when signing up to become a member, one must check the terms and conditions under all AARP membership benefits and read through the FAQs on the official site to make an informed decision.
