A Guide to AARP Memberships

The Fast Facts About AARP Membership

• The standard price of an AARP yearly membership as of 2025 is $20.
• A second AARP membership is free for anyone in your household.
• AARP offers a wide range of savings, including discounts on dining, travel, health and wellness products, and entertainment.
• AARP members have access to AARP-endorsed medical, auto, property, and life insurance.
• AARP members receive AARP The Magazine and AARP The Bulletin, America’s most-read publications, with 38.3 million readers.

About AARP

Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired educator from California, founded AARP in 1958. She pioneered marketplace solutions to help older Americans stretch their dollars and improve the quality of their lives, such as affordable group health insurance, a discount drug-buying plan, and a travel service.2

Fast-forward to the present day, and AARP has nearly 38 million members.3 With offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults.

What Are the Benefits of an AARP Membership?

Its reputation and stature give AARP the ability to obtain deep discounts and access to competitive benefits from large companies. Because the brand’s membership is large and engaged, AARP has political clout. Members often receive information, coupled with petitions and other action items, about important issues such as proposed legislative changes to Medicare, drug coverage for medications such as insulin, and caregiver tax credits.

AARP’s programs and resources allow members to live their best lives. As an AARP member, I receive information frequently about perks I’m eligible for, including special events in my hometown. I live in New York and was offered a behind-the-scenes peek at the brand-new Museum of Broadway, plus a deep discount on opera tickets and Broadway show tickets. In addition to discounts on in-person events and free virtual events, AARP also offers free bestselling books that members can read online. They cover all the bases for engaged and active older adults to enjoy life to the fullest.

Browsing free books available with my AARP membership

AARP Membership Resources

AARP’s website is jam-packed with resources to aid in planning for and enjoying your life as you age, including:

• Financial planning and money management
• Social Security and Medicare guidance
• Health and wellness education
• Legal counsel and advocacy services
• Fraud and identity theft protection
• Family caregiving solutions
• Driver safety courses
• Job boards

AARP offers lots of useful resources and interactive perks, such as quizzes that can earn you reward points

AARP Membership Discounts

AARP’s membership discounts are extensive. Before you make any purchases, always ask if an AARP discount is offered. You may be pleasantly surprised! Some popular brands and discounts available to AARP members include:

AARP Health and Wellness Discounts

• Pharmacy. Save big with prescription discount cards from Kroger, Walgreens, and Walmart Pharmacy.
• Vision. Keep your vision in tip-top shape with savings, including 50 percent off prescription lenses at LensCrafters and discounted eye exams at Target Optical.
• Hearing. Receive discounted rates on hearing aid products and accessories from HearUSA.

Save on medications with the AARP Prescription Card. Source: AARP

AARP Travel Discounts

• Car rentals. Save up to 30 percent on base-model rentals at Avis, Budget, and Payless. A free car upgrade may also be available.
• Hotels and resorts. Save up to 25 percent on the best available rates at hotels and resorts, such as Hilton, Radisson, and Best Western. Some locations offer additional perks, such as late checkout.
• Airfare and vacation packages. Save up to $349 when booking a flight and hotel vacation package and up to $300 when booking a cruise through AARP’s Travel Center powered by Expedia.
• Gas prices. While AARP doesn't directly off discounts on gasoline, if you link your Exxon account with your AARP membership, you can earn extra points.

AARP Financial Discounts

• Banking. Receive special rates and bonuses on personal loans, high-yield savings, and no-penalty CDs from financial institutions, including Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
• Credit cards. Cash in on points and perks with AARP’s own credit card through Mastercard.

AARP Technology and Wireless Discounts

• Phone plans and devices. Members can receive waived activation and upgrade fees, discounts on wireless plans, and discounted accessories from Consumer Cellular and AT&T.
• Identity theft. Save up to 25 percent on identity theft and online protection from viruses and malware with Norton 360 and Norton LifeLock.

AARP Retail and Grocery Discounts

• Flowers and gifts. Save 20 percent on online purchases from retailers, including Harry and David, 1-800-FLOWERS, Cheryl’s Cookies, and The Popcorn Factory.
• Coupons. Access hundreds of free printable coupons from leading brands through AARP’s Grocery Coupon Center.

AARP Restaurant Discounts

• Save 10 percent off your check. Members save 10 percent on food and nonalcoholic beverages at locations such as Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Joe’s Crab Shack, and Bonefish Grill.
• Save 15 percent off your check. Members save 15 percent at Denny’s locations.

AARP Insurance Options

AARP members have access to a wide range of AARP-endorsed insurance choices, including:

• Dental insurance from Delta Dental
• Homeowners, renters, and RV insurance from The Hartford
• Life insurance from New York Life
• Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage from UnitedHealthcare
• Mobile home and motorcycle insurance from Foremost
• Petplan pet insurance
• Long-term care insurance from New York Life
• Short-term care insurance from Medico
• Vision insurance from EyeMed

AARP Membership Requirements

You don’t have to be retired or over 50 to join AARP, or to enjoy its many benefits. (Case in point: My 30-something son likes reading the money tips in my AARP magazines.) People ages 18 or older are welcome to become members with full benefits. Members also receive a free secondary membership for their spouse or partner.

How to Join AARP

AARP makes it easy to become a member. You can sign up online, by mail, or by phone. AARP’s online signup process is the speediest way to begin receiving benefits. After you sign up online, you’ll instantly receive a digital copy of your membership card. This digital copy can be used right away. Your printed membership card will arrive at your address in about three weeks. I’m in the habit of keeping my membership card with me and asking if it nabs me a discount wherever I shop.

Below is a closer look at the different ways to sign up.

• Join AARP online. Visit AARP’s signup page. Enter your name, birth date, and billing address, along with the membership term and payment method.
• Join AARP by phone. If you’d prefer to speak to a customer service representative, contact AARP membership at 866-654-5572 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday.
• Join AARP by mail. If you’ve received information on an AARP membership subscription through the mail, you can complete the membership registration and mail it back to AARP along with your payment.

There are several ways to access your AARP membership card. Source: AARP

How Much Does AARP Membership Cost?

In 2025, AARP is raising their rates for the first time in 15 years.

The standard yearly price for AARP membership is $20. Looking to save on membership fees? AARP provides several ways to reduce costs.

• One-year membership subscription. Sign up for AARP automatic renewal and pay just $15 for the first year. That’s 25 percent off the standard membership price.
• Three-year membership subscription. Sign up for three years and receive 10 percent off the annual rate for all three years.
• Five-year membership subscription. Sign up for five years and receive 21 percent off the annual rate for all five years.

AARP Membership Term. Source: AARP

Is There a Way to Get a Free AARP Membership?

Your AARP membership comes with a free secondary membership for another member of your household. Keep an eye out for AARP promo codes to snag free items such as Bluetooth speakers or travel bags when you join.

From time to time, Walgreens offers coupons to join AARP or renew your membership for free. You’ll be provided with a personal redemption code on your Walgreens store receipt.

Is an AARP Membership Worth It?

I’ve found that the rewards of AARP far outweigh the membership fee. The financial and retirement resources, insurance options, useful guides in the AARP bulletin, and a wide range of exclusive discounts offer perks you can use daily. If you travel or dine out regularly, the savings will quickly make up for the annual cost.

AARP 2 inside bulletin page.

Choosing to enroll in AARP is a personal choice based on your lifestyle needs and budget. If you’re unsure if AARP membership is right for you, try it for one year. This will give you an idea of how often you take advantage of AARP’s resources and discounts.

Check out our video below to learn more about AARP membership and other discounts for seniors.

Our Methodology

of AARP’s membership services, discounts, and perks.

In addition to our hands-on experience, we researched AARP online and spoke with customer service. We found that their customer service was stellar, and their website was easy to read and navigate.

We took these areas into consideration when evaluating AARP:

• Cost. Despite raising their prices for the first time in 15 years, AARP is affordable and well worth the money considering the savings you can earn on discounted goods and services. Your AARP membership nabs you significant savings on a wide range of goods and services, including life insurance, cell phones, travel, and dining.
• Advocacy. The needs of older Americans often go overlooked. AARP’s advocacy efforts keep important issues at the forefront of the minds of our legislators and political candidates. We also like that AARP members are enabled and empowered to be part of the process through signing petitions.
• Socialization. AARP offers a wide range of in-person events you can attend, including movies, shows, and classes.
• Stimulation. AARP’s online offerings are extensive and include a wide range of activities, from learning ballroom dancing to playing brain-boosting games.

Final Thoughts on AARP

AARP’s robust range of benefits, free second membership, and low-priced subscription make AARP an attractive option for the 50+ crowd. The fact that AARP has over 38 million members speaks volumes! Overall, AARP is an excellent choice, offering benefits for just about every aspect of life.