The Many Benefits of AARP

AARP stands for the American Association for Retired Persons. It is a non-profit organization that was founded by Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired school principal in 1956. The AARP actually evolved from the National Retired Teachers Association in which Dr. Andrus established in 1947.

Over 35 million retired persons over the age of 50 have joined this organization. This group is best known for providing services to the aging population. Some of these services include the following:

• Informing members and the public on issues important to this age group.
• Advocating on legislative, consumer and legal issues.
• Promoting community service.
• Offering a wide range of special products and services to members.

The membership of this organization is open to any person who is 50 years old and older. There is around 25% of the population in the over 50 category. Around half of the people in this category belong to AARP. Even though it is called the "American" Association for Retired Persons, U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for joining the organization. There are over 40000 members who live outside the realms of the United States.

Being retired is not a requirement for joining the AARP. There are many members who are not retired that belong to this organization. Around 44% of the membership either works part-time or full-time. The median age for this group is 65 with about half of them being women.

Organizational Structure
The AARP national headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. Each state has its own central headquarters as well.

The AARP has two affiliated groups:

• AARP Foundation
• AARP Services, Inc.

The AARP foundation provides programs for the organizations members. These programs include the following:

• A work training program for low-income persons over the age of 55.
• Free tax preparation and counseling for older Americans.
• Improvement to legal hot lines through technical assistance and training
• Training and assistance for aging advocates in elder law and advocacy
• Support for housing counselors in their work with older homeowners seeking reverse mortgages
AARP Services, Inc. also provides programs and services to its membership. The following are some of the programs and services that are offered:

• Medicare supplement
• Long-term health care
• Automobile, homeowners and life insurance
• member discounts and savings on prescription drugs, eye-health services and eyewear products
• Discounts on hotels and motels
• Discounts on auto rental
• Discounts on air flights.
• Discounts on cruise lines.
• Discounts on vacation packages.
• Discounts on entertainment packages and consumer goods.

Financial Support

The AARP receives financial support from membership dues and revenue from advertising in AARPs publications. Additional funds are received from the royalty fees paid by the commericial companies that provide AARP endorsed services for its members. Also, there are fees that are generated from certain member programs.
Publications

The AARP has two print publication and one online publication that the organization produces. The members of AARP received a bi-monthly publication throught the U.S. mail called the "AARP Magazine". This publication was launched in the year 2002. The magazine covers a wide range of topics including health, finance, and leisure. There is another publication called the "AARP Bulletin" which is published 11 times during the year. This publication has reports about the national and state legislation and the programs that affect the over 50 age bracket.
The online publication (www.aarp.com) is maintained on a regular basis. In addition to the many benefits that were listed above, it also provides basic computer skills tutorials. It also offers information on topics such as finance, health and wellness, tips for coping with life transitions as well as opportunities to contact elected government officials. There are also online discussion groups and online courses provided for the elderly population.

AARP Programs

• AARP Independent Living/Long-Term Care/End-of-Life Issues
• AARP Driver Safety Program
• AARP Tax-Aide
• AARP SCSEP
• Volunteering
• Member Services and Discounts

AARP Driver Safety Program

This program is an 8 hour classroom refresher designed for drivers over the age of 50. Some of the topics that are included are the rules of the road, defensive driving tips and normal physical changes that comes with the aging process and how to compensate for them. Automobile insurance discounts are offered by many states to those members who complete the program.

AARP Tax-Aide

The tax aide benefit is a free income tax counseling and tax preparation service for all taxpayers with middle and low incomes; with a special interest in those 60 and older. Beginning February 1st of each year, trained and certified volunteers set up in designated locations to begin the tax preparation process for its members.

The tax aide benefit is a free income tax counseling and tax preparation service for all taxpayers with middle and low incomes; with a special interest in those 60 and older. Beginning February 1st of each year, trained and certified volunteers set up in designated locations to begin the tax preparation process for its members.

The tax aide benefit is a free income tax counseling and tax preparation service for all taxpayers with middle and low incomes; with a special interest in those 60 and older. Beginning February 1st of each year, trained and certified volunteers set up in designated locations to begin the tax preparation process for its members.

Membership Services and Discounts

In the beginning stages of the AARP development, AARP has always responded to its members needs through the many services that it offers. These services would otherwise not exist or be conviently available to its members.

Today, AARP offers the following:

• Automobile and homeowners insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term health care insurance
• extensive Travel discounts and programs
• Eye health services
• Investment program
• Credit card services
• Motoring plan
• Legal services network

How Do You Join?

Joining AARP can be done in three easy steps. You can receive all the benefits of AARP for only $12.50 a year. This membership also includes your spouse, for free! You may join online by going to http://www.aarp.org/membership/aarp/Articles/join.html.

When you register online you will go through 3 steps. First, you provide your information including name, address, email, date of birth and work status for both you and your spouse. After you complete this page you will then be taken to the second part of the registration process, which is the billing information. You may pay online with a credit card or debit card or have them bill you. Shortly after receiving your registration AARP will then send you a bill through the mail. If you decide to have AARP send you a bill you must select the "Other payment", please send me a bill. After doing this you will be taken to the confirmation page where it will list all the information that you have given them. You may print this out for your records.
The invoice for your order will be sent to your right away and should receive it within two weeks. After payment has been received you will receive your membership cards and the complete benefits information.

If you have trouble with the online registration you may call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277), 7am-12 midnight ET Monday-Friday.