The Definition of AARP
According to the AARP official site, the American Association for Retired Persons, better known by the acronym AARP, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to its namesake: helping retired persons manage health, wealth and leisure time. Membership in the AARP costs $16 a year per person and is open to any retired person, male or female, at least 50 years of age. A complimentary membership is available for new or existing members with eligible spouses or partners. Today, the AARP boasts more than 40 million members throughout the United States and related territories.
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The AARP's Mission
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According to the AARP official site, in 1958, the Association set out to improve the quality of life for retirees, a demographic often not considered in terms of being a lucrative market for advertisers. Through community involvement, activity and a wealth of discounts at many major retailers, the AARP helps retired persons with several areas of concern, such as family issues, management of retirement funds and keeping track of current medications and medical trends. Through a joint partnership with insurance provider New York Life, AARP members can purchase life insurance at reduced premiums.
Family
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Many retired persons are (or will become) grandparents. The AARP provides advice on expectations of becoming a grandparent and helping care for children again, among other things. The AARP offers support to retirees dealing with the loss of a spouse through extensive online community interactions, as well as those helping care for an ailing spouse.
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Health
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Advice and guidance in dealing with Medicare is another service provided to AARP members. Retired persons have the option to supplement their existing coverage with Medicare Advantage, thanks to a partnership between the Association and provider SecureHorizons. Additional coverage can be purchased at reduced rates from United Healthcare Insurance as well. Regular advice columns appear in the AARP's magazine to help members manage their prescriptions and track the latest health care trends.
Money Management
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Since many retired persons depend on money from pensions, savings or retirement funds to cover living expenses, the AARP provides basic advice on investing and offers mutual funds, purchased through AARP Financial. The financial specialists from the AARP do not work on a commission basis as many other specialists do, and related fees for their services are available at reduced rates.
Benefits
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A click on the Benefits tab on the AARP site reveals that members enjoy various benefits, from numerous discounts on prescription medications and insurance to reduced rates on dining out. Discounts on travel and airport parking fees, brand name retailers and printable coupons at many leading grocers are among the many benefits of membership. The AARP publishes a bimonthly magazine, free with membership, that encompasses all the major issues addressed on the site, as well as recipes, interviews and leisure time recommendations.
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References
- Photo Credit grandparents with grandchild image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
