What are peoples views on AARP?

[qwerty3656]

I have to say my wife and I have a pretty negative view, but I admit we are not very well informed.

Based on Braumeieter's suggestion I googled this and found a thread from a year ago. If moderators want to delete this thread, fine by me.

https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f29/why-join-aarp-112676.html

 

[W2R]

I have to say my wife and I have a pretty negative view, but I admit we are not very well informed.

I share your views. Like many, I believe them to be essentially a political organization.

Which is not to say I'm 100% correct! That's just my opinion.

 

[braumeister]

This discussion comes up fairly often here, so you can search for other threads, but my impression is that opinions are divided about evenly. Some think it's great, others can't stand it.

I guess it all comes down to what can they do for you, individually, and is it worth the membership cost.

 

[VanWinkle]

I volunteer as an AARP Tax Aide but have not joined nor do I share many of their opinions on important issues. They work hard on what makes them money it seems.

 

[athena53]

I have their United Healthcare supplement and am happy with it. I even like some of the articles in the two magazines they send me. I do not appreciate their deluge of e-mails telling me to write my Congress Critter or sign a petition to tell them that seniors need MORE "free" money, hearing aids, dental implants, etc.

And I find some of the restaurant discounts a joke- they publish a book like "Full Body Reset" that touts the benefits of healthy eating, exercise, etc. and then offer discounts for Denny's, Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's.

 

[Sunset]

I like:
the occasional article they have.
the discounts at hotels (et al), since I don't have AAA
The ~$400 I get from them each year.

Yes, they are political like everything !

I dislike the selling of their name to all sorts of companies as it looks like sponsorship and approval, and I'm sure it misleads some people.

 

[audreyh1]

We joined to use the UHC Medicare supplement. Somehow we managed to set things up right online and receive no promotional material or emails or the magazine. Knock on wood!

ETA: we did a 5 year family membership to cover both of us starting Medicare. With me joining we a both supposed to get an additional 5% discount. I don’t know if we’ll continue after that.

I find the AAA discounts are better than the AARP or senior discounts so we have used the membership discount yet.

 

[aja8888]

I've been an AARP member for over 20 years and don't get any promotional emails.

 

[audreyh1]

I've been an AARP member for over 20 years and don't get any promotional emails.

Crazily I used to get the occasional promotional mailing once or twice a year. Since joining that stopped.

 

[Car-Guy]

My parents were members for decades seemed to like (not love) it. I've never seen the value myself.

 

[easysurfer]

I keep for the tiny monthly discount off my Consumer Celluar bill .

 

[Marita40]

Not for me due to their political stances.

 

[RobbieB]

I renew for 5 years at a time to get the best deal.

Geezer lobby? Yeah. Count me in -

 

[statsman]

I wish they would stop sending us offers for free stuff, printed on an oversized plastic card with our name and address on it. Only solution for that is a medium-to-heavy use shredder.

 

[Morgan22]

I didn't realize AARP had a political stance. What is it that's so bad? (Maybe I shouldn't ask? Will it get the thread shut down?)
I thought they just hire lobbyists to keep or increase benefits for seniors. Looking at their website now and it looks like they have a lot of great discounts. Maybe I'll join.

 

[CaptTom]

While not a huge fan, I feel for the political tightrope they have to walk.

Say a politician from party "A" proposes legislation which will hurt seniors. If AARP dares to suggest their members oppose this plan, everyone from that party all of a sudden sees AARP as the enemy, and boycotts them forever.

The reality is government critters of both parties can do dumb things which negatively impact their constituents. But somehow most of us blindly follow the party line and consider any disagreement with it to be tantamount to treason.

Having an organization which can stick up for whatever group we're in (seniors, farmers, city dwellers or whatever) would have great value - if we let them. Apparently we're not willing to actually think for ourselves, so that can't work.

 

[connor77]

Two basic issues. AARP collects royalties on Medigap plans but also lobbies against reform that would in turn impact the overall royalties they collect even though the reform would be beneficial to seniors. They also supported measures that result (or would result) in more seniors requiring Medigap plans also increasing their profits.
The other issue is they receive royalties from large health insurers and other organizations to market them to seniors all the while undertaking lobbying efforts beneficial to these same health groups. At best, a serious optics issue. At worst, unethical and possibly illegal (they have not lost a case yet).
AARP also receives a special government rate only available to AARP. A little payback for convincing seniors to vote a certain way and support certain government programs.
Certainly a mix of politics, questionable practices and not acting in the best interest of its members.

 

[Montecfo]

I am not a fan and believe their political posture is not in mine or most folks' best interests. We have carefully avoided sending them money.

Having said that, my wife joined to get a discount on UHC medigap.

I will have a hard time doing that myself.

And I do not find the discounts otherwise to be valuable. But perhaps that will change.

 

[Rocket Man]

Neither my wife or I belong. We do not care for their politics and do do want to provide them with a contribution.

 

[marko]

Politics. I just wish that whether is is retirement, sports, finance, weather or travel that politics stayed out of it. Why can't these subjects just focus?

 

[USGrant1962]

Politics. I just wish that whether is is retirement, sports, finance, weather or travel that politics stayed out of it. Why can't these subjects just focus?

The focus of this thread is AARP. For better or worse, AARP is both of interest to retirees and is largely a lobbyist and insurance broker.

 

[target2019]

Successful lobbyist for our interests
Tax Aide program
Monthly magazine
United Health Care supplement
Travel options
AARP Free Lunch Monitor Program
Mulch mail

I first started reading the magazine at Mom's in the 90's. Definitely a plus for the elderly. Got a preview of what would be my lot in future years.

 

[Badger]

I volunteer as an AARP Tax Aide but have not joined nor do I share many of their opinions on important issues. They work hard on what makes them money it seems.

Thank you. I have used this service for many years and appreciate the time you and others have volunteered to help.

Successful lobbyist for our interests
Tax Aide program
Monthly magazine
United Health Care supplement
Travel options
AARP Free Lunch Monitor Program
Mulch mail

I first started reading the magazine at Mom's in the 90's. Definitely a plus for the elderly. Got a preview of what would be my lot in future years.

+1 Mainly as an advocate for seniors, SS and Medicare security and their Tax Aide program.

Cheers!

 

[Gumby]

I am indifferent to AARP. We've gotten their advertising in the mail for years, but, like almost everything else that arrives in our mailbox, it ends up in the recycle bin. I'm sure they provide value to some people, but probably wouldn't for us. I don't know or care what their politics are.

 

[Midpack]

Like many, I believe them to be essentially a political organization. That's just my opinion.

+1. Exactly, and too self serving for me. For example they did a series of Soc Sec TV ads years ago that infuriated me. Unlike AARP, I am against fully preserving or enhancing SS for future recipients with no consideration of next generations, your kids and grands (we have neither BTW)! It’s a paygo system.

They were overtly political LONG before most organizations or topics. They’ll never get a dime from us.