The New Exchange / Is AARP worth it?

**Posted by Goose** 9/13/2016 7:23 pm

For several years I've been getting solicitations from AARP.
I have been ignoring them.
It's not because I have problems with getting old.
OK, it's not entirely because I have problems with getting old.

Is the membership worth it from a financial standpoint?
If so, how?

**Posted by tennyson** 9/13/2016 7:35 pm

I don't think most people join AARP from a pure financial standpoint. If you look at it purely as a financial decision, there is not a powerful reason to join. As a matter of fact even if you do not join you still get the benefit of their lobbying power. That said, if enough did not support them, then their efforts for seniors would be greatly diminished.

Last edited by tennyson (9/13/2016 7:35 pm)

**Posted by Rongone** 9/14/2016 7:24 am

My wife and I joined AARP several years ago. As the years have passed, we have found that the monthly bulletin, that used to have several informative articles, is now basically an advertising paper. It's full of ads for all manner of insurance companies and products that proudly proclaim that they are certified by AARP and promise specials for members. Of course, these companies have a relationship with AARP and pay a licensing premium to the organization in order to display the AARP logo on their product advertising. We also found that we received more and more advertising by mail from companies claiming a relationship with AARP. We stopped that activity by calling AARP and were directed to a portal on their website to edit what types of mailed information you receive. We declined all mailings.

Once in a while there is a good article in their monthly magazine, but the basic AARP discount on certain goods and services (10%) is not worth it from our perspective. I can get better deals searching the Internet and I can get a 10% veterans discount in the same places AARP offers. We let our membership lapse this year.

**Posted by flowergirl** 9/14/2016 9:36 am

I never joined for several reasons, the main one is that I rarely ever see AARP testifying or otherwise out there rooting for the elderly like they once did. Another reason is the gross amount they must spend printing and mailing or otherwise getting out those infernal applications envelopes that show up everywhere--newspapers, junk mail, everywhere. I do not believe AARP is the organization it was many years ago and I've never seen any reason to join.

**Posted by Tropicalfox** 9/19/2016 12:09 am

AAA gives the same or better discounts...

**Posted by Goose** 9/19/2016 9:11 am

Thanks folks.
I can continue to toss the mailings without the fear that I'm missing out on any great thing.

**Posted by Conspiracy Theory** 9/19/2016 9:17 am

Their reason for being is to send letters to people like me telling them they're old enough to join.

Just to remind us we really are aging.

**Posted by flowergirl** 9/19/2016 9:29 am

Agree--been a AAA member for more years than I care to remember.

Tropicalfox wrote:
AAA gives the same or better discounts...