When people think of AARP, they often think of elderly people. However, it may come as a surprise that anyone can benefit from AARP and the perks that it provides. Since it is often overlooked by people that take advantage of this opportunity, this article aims to provide some much-needed clarity and information. You may be surprised to find that you could be saving money thanks to AARP!
Understanding AARP
The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Even though the focus of this organization is to enrich the lives of people as they age, they are inclusive of all ages! In fact, it’s a common misconception that people can’t join until they are 50. On the contrary, people can benefit if they are at least 18 years old! Through memberships, people are able to experience special perks with things like:
- Traveling
- Going Out to Eat
- Employment
- Shopping
- Auto Needs
- Home Needs
- Technology
- Financial Needs
- Wellness
Traveling
Lots of people love to travel regardless of how old they are! Some of the benefits people can see when it comes to traveling if they have an AARP membership include up to 30% off base rates from places like Avis and Budget, up to $200 off certain flights, 10% off certain hotels, and more.
Going Out to Eat
There are many places to go out to eat in America. For those that have an AARP membership, they can save when they go to places like:
- Auntie Anne’s
- Bonefish Grill
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Denny’s
- Cinnabon
- Jamba Juice
- Outback Steakhouse
The exact amount that people will be able to save depends on the restaurant. However, it typically ranges from 10% to 15%.
Employment
While this isn’t a savings opportunity, it is still a helpful perk worth talking about! Those with an AARP membership are able to get help when it comes to finding and maintaining employment. They have job boards, and skill-builder resources for people to take advantage of!
Shopping
When some people shop, they try to find the best deals out there. A lot of AARP members appreciate some of the savings they can see when they shop for certain items. This includes saving on gifts like flowers, chocolates, and fruit baskets, and shipping services like UPS. Besides offering discounts, they can even offer cash rewards for members at certain places like Walgreens.
Auto Needs
Cars in general can be a pain to deal with. That is why it’s nice to know that if you are an AARP member, you can benefit from a variety of support. This includes 15% discounts on oil changes at certain places, affordable roadside protection offers, and other helpful resources for car management.
Home Needs
Just like dealing with cars, homes can be a pain as well. However, there are resources that are available for members like affordable home warranty plans, discounts on home jobs/services, and even up to $7,200 in benefits that depend on a member’s home’s qualifying price.
Technology
In a world that is diving deeper and deeper into technology, it should come as no surprise that AARP membership holders can see some perks in this area of life. Whether getting monthly discounts from carriers like AT&T of $10 or accessing affordable technology services and protections, there are many ways people can benefit!
Financial Needs
There are many financial resources and discounts that an AARP membership offers. Members can take advantage of a wide range of exclusive deals on insurance, banking, and investment services. These include competitive rates on auto and home insurance, as well as discounts on life, health, and long-term care insurance policies. Additionally, members can access financial planning tools and services to help them make well-informed decisions regarding their retirement savings and investments.
Wellness
AARP understands the importance of maintaining good health especially as we age. As a result, the organization offers members health and wellness benefits. These include discounted gym memberships, deals on hearing aids, and access to a comprehensive network of healthcare providers. Furthermore, AARP partners with various prescription discount programs, allowing members to save on medications at thousands of participating pharmacies nationwide.
What Does it Take to Get an AARP Membership?
Even though people are able to access a variety of benefits, it isn’t for free. There is an annual price to pay of $16. However, considering all the benefits, if you utilize them properly, you can see that the savings you get make up for what you spent and then some! Some people can see the cost of a membership drop down to $12 in certain situations. This includes signing up for auto-renewal or picking a membership that has a longer term. For more information, you can get in touch with the AARP directly. They have a phone number for people to contact at 1-888-687-2277. They also provide helpful resources online at this website.
Bottom Line
It’s a common misconception that only elderly people can benefit from an AARP membership. Even though this organization’s focus is on those that are over 50 years old, anyone over 18 years old can become a member. Becoming a member comes along with a variety of perks. This includes seeing benefits with things like:
- Traveling
- Going Out to Eat
- Employment
- Shopping
- Auto Needs
- Home Needs
- Technology
Some perks that are worth highlighting include $200 for certain flights, $10 off every month on your phone bill from AT&T, 10% off places like Auntie Anne’s, and more. Becoming a member isn’t free but it’s possible to get a membership for the annual cost of as low as $12. It is also possible to recover from what was spent in savings with the membership. If you have any questions, you will want to get in touch with the AARP. You can do so through their hotline or online to go over information resources. You may be able to benefit from this source of support and not even know it!