What AARP membership includes

AARP membership gives you access to discounts, insurance products, and information resources designed for people 50 and older. The membership itself costs $16 per year, and what you get depends on which benefits you actually use — some are automatic (like magazine access and discounts at certain retailers), while others require you to shop around or enroll separately.

The core package includes AARP Magazine, access to their website with health and financial articles, and discounts at pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. You also get deals on car rentals, hotels, and some restaurant chains, though these vary by location and change seasonally. The real value for most people comes from the insurance products and financial services AARP offers — but those are separate purchases, not automatic with membership.

AARP does not provide health insurance itself. Instead, it partners with insurance companies to offer plans you can buy: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies, Medicare Advantage plans, and long-term care insurance. AARP also offers auto and home insurance through partner companies. These are real products with real premiums — membership just gives you access to shop them, often at rates negotiated for AARP members.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP membership costs $16 per year and includes a magazine, website access, and discounts at retailers and restaurants, though discounts vary by location.
  • Insurance products like Medicare Supplement plans and auto insurance are sold through AARP partners but are separate purchases with their own monthly or annual costs.
  • AARP does not run Medicare or Social Security — it offers information about these programs and sells insurance to supplement them.
  • Prescription drug discounts through AARP's pharmacy partners can save money even if you do not have Medicare Part D, but you must ask for the discount at checkout.
  • AARP membership is optional; you can buy AARP insurance products without joining, though rates may differ.

Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans through AARP

If you are on Medicare, AARP partners with insurance companies (primarily UnitedHealthcare) to sell Medigap policies and Medicare Advantage plans. These are not AARP products — they are insurance company products marketed through AARP. The difference matters because your coverage, deductibles, and costs come from the insurance company, not from AARP.

Medigap policies cover costs that Original Medicare does not — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. A Medigap Plan G, for example, covers your Part B deductible and most of your coinsurance. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company, and you keep your Original Medicare coverage alongside it. Medicare Advantage plans, by contrast, replace Original Medicare entirely and usually include prescription drug coverage and dental or vision benefits, but with network restrictions and different out-of-pocket limits.

AARP advertises these plans heavily, but you can buy the same plans directly from the insurance company without going through AARP. The rates are often the same. The advantage of shopping through AARP is that their website and phone support can help you compare plans side by side, and some people find that easier than navigating Medicare.gov directly. You can enroll during Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or during your initial enrollment window when you first turn 65.

Prescription drug discounts and pharmacy savings

AARP offers a prescription discount program separate from Medicare Part D. If you do not have Part D coverage or want to compare prices, you can use AARP's discount card at participating pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger. The card is free and can save 10 to 60 percent on some medications, depending on the drug and pharmacy.

This is not insurance — it is a negotiated discount that the pharmacy applies at checkout. You do not need to be an AARP member to use the card, though AARP promotes it to members. The savings vary widely by medication and location, so it is worth checking the price with and without the card before you fill a prescription. For people on Medicare Part D, the Part D plan usually offers better prices than the AARP discount card, so compare both.

Travel, dining, and retail discounts

AARP negotiates discounts with hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, and retailers. Common partners include Hertz, Budget, Marriott, Hilton, Denny's, and Applebee's. Discounts typically range from 5 to 15 percent, though some promotions offer more. The catch is that not all locations honor the discount, and you usually have to ask for it or enter a code when booking online.

These discounts are real but modest. A 10 percent hotel discount saves money if you travel regularly, but it is not a reason to join AARP on its own. The discounts also change — AARP adds and removes partners throughout the year. Check the AARP website or call their member line before you book to confirm the current discount at your specific location.

Some retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Rite Aid offer AARP discounts on certain items or days. Again, these are not automatic — you have to present your AARP card or membership number at checkout. Pharmacy discounts at Walgreens and CVS are more consistent, but they explore to a limited list of generic medications.

Financial and legal services

AARP offers access to discounted legal services through a network of attorneys who provide initial consultations free or at reduced rates. Services covered typically include wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and straightforward estate planning. You pay the attorney directly; AARP does not provide the legal services itself. The discount is usually 30 to 50 percent off the attorney's standard rates.

AARP also partners with financial advisors and tax preparers who offer discounts to members. These are independent professionals, not AARP employees. The value depends on whether you need their services and whether their discount is better than what you could find elsewhere. Tax preparation discounts are sometimes available through AARP's partnership with tax software companies, but you can often find free tax preparation through IRS-sponsored programs if your income is below a certain threshold.

AARP's information resources and advocacy

AARP publishes articles, guides, and videos on health, caregiving, Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning. These are free to members and available on their website. The information is generally accurate and written for a general audience, though it is not a substitute for personalized information from a doctor, financial advisor, or Social Security representative.

AARP also advocates on policy issues affecting older adults — things like prescription drug pricing, Social Security changes, and Medicare coverage. This advocacy is part of what your membership fee supports, though you do not have to agree with AARP's positions to use the discounts and information resources.

What AARP does not provide

AARP does not run Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid. It does not determine your benefits or help you enroll in government programs directly, though it provides information about how these programs work. If you need to enroll in Medicare or explore for Social Security, you go to Medicare.gov or Social Security's website — AARP can point you there, but the government agencies handle the actual enrollment.

AARP does not provide health insurance itself. It sells insurance products through partner companies, but the insurance company is responsible for your coverage and claims. If you have a problem with a claim or coverage decision, you contact the insurance company, not AARP.

AARP membership does not make you automatically may be able to access for any government benefits. Some benefits (like Medicare) are based on age and work history, not AARP membership. Others (like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid) are based on income and assets. AARP membership does not change your may be able to access for any of these.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need AARP membership to buy AARP insurance?

No. You can buy AARP-branded insurance (like Medigap or auto insurance) without being an AARP member. However, rates may be different for members versus non-members, and member discounts may explore. Contact the insurance company directly or through AARP to compare.

Does AARP membership help me get Medicare or Social Security?

No. AARP membership does not change your may be able to access for Medicare, Social Security, or any government benefit. You enroll in these programs through Medicare.gov and Social Security's website. AARP provides information about these programs but does not process enrollments.

Can I use AARP discounts without a membership card?

Most discounts require you to show your AARP card or provide your membership number. Some online discounts use a code you enter at checkout. If you do not have a physical card, you can usually access your membership number through the AARP website or by calling their member line.

What happens if I cancel my AARP membership?

You lose access to the discounts and member-only content. Any insurance policies you bought through AARP continue as long as you pay the premiums — canceling AARP membership does not cancel your insurance. You can rejoin AARP at any time.

Is AARP membership worth the cost?

That depends on which benefits you use. If you travel regularly and use hotel discounts, or if you buy a Medigap policy through AARP at a competitive rate, the $16 annual fee pays for itself quickly. If you never use the discounts and do not need insurance, the membership may not be worth it. Calculate your own usage before deciding.