May 11
1
People start getting AARP membership notices in the mail about six months before they turn 50. And the letters seems to arrive about every week. In fact, this baby boomer felt at little bombarded by them. Who did these AARP people think they were? Actually, I had no idea who they were or what the AARP membership was about. The only thing I knew was that this boomer was too young to be joining their senior citizen group.
So just who is the AARP? We’ve all seen the ads on TV but those of us who were under 50 years of age usually just tuned it out. The only thing I really remember about those ads is someone yaking on and on about AARP medicare, AARP life insurance, healthcare, automobile insurance, medicare supplements and AARP retirement plans. The ads were actually very annoying.
But then I turned 50, and I decided I’d better figure out what this group was all about, what AARP benefits consisted of, and what an AARP card could do for me, if anything. So I stopped throwing away the membership solicitation letters and started reading them instead.
It turns out this pushy senior citizen’s group does have some good things going for it. Originally called the American Association of Retired Persons, they are a U.S. non-governmental organization and interest group who’s mission is “dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age,” that “provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members.” That’s pretty cool, right? Having an organization that fights for the rights of older citizens. Especially if you are one.
AARP says it has over 40 million members, which makes it one of the largest membership organizations in the U.S. A non-profit advocate for its members, its one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States. And it also has a charitable affiliate, the AARP Foundation which provides older, low income workers with job training and placement, free tax preparation for low- and moderate-income people, and offers driver safety courses for older adults.
They also offer products and services to its members like: long-term care insurance, health products and Medicare supplemental insurance; travel and leisure products; discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; and pharmacy and legal services.
Also one of the AARP’s goals is to reduce hunger among senior citizens through the Drive to End Hunger. That’s pretty cool. I’m all about ending hunger. So I actually liked what I learned about them. I still haven’t sent in my AARP membership application but I probably will since I think it sounds like its something that may benefit me in the long run. And it sounds like they’re doing good things for senior citizens (not that I’m one) and another good baby boomer resource.