i'm 60 and thinking about joining
2007-10-28 06:06:43 · 16 answers · asked by gggggg 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Senior Citizens
I'll tell ya, I joined that outfit when I was 55...was a member until about a year ago - (now nearing 67).
I read their magazine, read their junk mail, read their emails.
What I found was that the senior citizens they refer to and cater to are not in my socio-economic level. Their efforts and advertising seem to address those seniors who can afford 250,000 "retirement homes", expensive and luxury travel opportunities, those who can afford to drop everything, travel to Washington and join the lobbying efforts to change the inheritance laws.
Sorry, that's not me - nor most of us retired folks.
As for discounts? I can get a senior discount anywhere by providing my driver's license..or showing my AAA card.
All I ever received from them were "special offers" for term life insurance, car insurance that was "discounted for seniors and members" that were actually higher than what I already pay. (And I live in NJ, which has the highest insurance rates in the country).
I decided that they and their magazine and information didn't address my needs nor my interests. So, I dropped my membership.
It may be fine for you if you are in their target economic level.
2007-10-28 06:45:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
If they do, it is only by association. They do not poll their membership, or in any way ask members what they want. I canceled my membership because I did not like many of the things they support.
They also use fake membership numbers to inflate their influence with our elected officials. They send out "free" memberships to thousands of people, age 55 and above, and then count those memberships when stating the number of "seniors" they represent. The AARP officials are not elected or chosen by the membership to represent them.
Any benefits they claim to have are offered by most organizations to all seniors with no need to be a member of AARP. I always get a senior discount at hotels and other establishments that recognize AARP, they do not require membership to receive the discount.
2007-10-28 06:48:53 · answer #2 · answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with outta here on this. It seems to target a special group of Seniors which I am not a part of.
My parents have passed on....to this day I STILL get their stuff....called them, e-mailed them....and I still get nasty notes on how they (my parents) are up for renewal. Dugh!!!!
So far....out-side of the magazine....there personally hasn't been any benefit. I joined because my parents did. Thought for once I would heed their wisdom. LOL Politically AARP and me don't always see eye to eye. I just learned about TREA (I think they are called.)....still checking them out.....so far nothing fits my life or my particular issues.
2007-10-28 07:28:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not from my prospective. When it was formed it really did a lot to give seniors help. Then about 9-10 years ago it got taken over by corporate interests. Now it's just a front for insurance companies, car rental agencies etc.
2007-10-28 11:18:00 · answer #4 · answered by Ray T 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Join Aarp..I joined a couple of years ago and have'nt looked
back.
My son got married and I and the wife drove out west to be there for him.Every place we stayed,AARP had a bigger discount then AAA and being retired goverment employee.Also were saveing money on our Auto insurance &
Term life insurance.The only Draw Back is aarp sends out a
lot of nonsence mail..Its a wast of a good stamp..
2007-10-28 06:25:31 · answer #5 · answered by lairnbear50 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
AARP is one of the best orgs to belong to in the US...they sponser cheaper insurance of all types..auto, business, life...They have a strong lobby in Washington DC that helps to protect our rights, fights off those who would cast us under the rug. Join by all means, and you get discounts at motels, etc. A month Magazine comes with membership...it is a great orginization. Good luck and peace, Goldwing
2007-10-28 08:23:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I've been a member once, let my membership lapse and have been thinking of rejoining. I did like the monthly mag they produce ....and yes, they SEEM to have the interests of seniors as their goal. How WELL they do that is a question I cannot answer.
2007-10-28 06:22:59 · answer #7 · answered by sage seeker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what I have seen, all they support are themselves from the membership dues that people pay them. Your personal info is traded & sold in the usual shameless ways of any other organization that is currently operating in a democratic & capitalisic society. You might want to think about adding your name to a list & no amount of money that you pay can ever remove it!
2007-10-28 09:00:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some of the magazine articles are interesting -- guess some of the lobbying they do is good for seniors, but to date haven't seen anything that was overly advantageous to me.
2007-10-28 07:26:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
From most of the answers it seems to be a bad idea. I was going to join but now I am going to rethink that whole thing.
2007-10-28 09:09:48 · answer #10 · answered by Aloha_Ann 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋