What Is AARP?
Let me tell you directly: AARP is America's top organization for folks aged 50 and up. It's an association that delivers benefits, marketing services, and lobbying for its members. It started as the American Association of Retired Persons back in 1958, founded by retired educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. Today, AARP operates as a nonprofit, nonpartisan group with close to 38 million members.
Key Takeaways
Here's what you need to know upfront. AARP's mission as a nonprofit, nonpartisan outfit is to empower retirees in deciding how they age. It gives members access to discounts, healthcare choices, insurance, and learning tools. With 38 million members, it's a force in lobbying, pushing hard in Washington and state capitals.
How AARP Works
AARP delivers information, education, research, advocacy, and community services via its network of local chapters and volunteers across the country. It targets consumer issues, economic security, work, health, and independent living. You'll see it involved in legislative, judicial, and consumer advocacy, but it stays clear of campaign contributions or endorsing candidates.
It's both a strong lobbying entity and a business success, selling life and health insurance, investments, and other services. AARP also publishes independently, with Modern Maturity magazine and the monthly AARP Bulletin. In 2023, it brought in $1.85 billion from advertising, royalties on its name and logo, and mainly from membership fees.
Registered as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit with the IRS, AARP can lobby legally. It runs some 501(c)(3) charities like the AARP Foundation, and has for-profit arms too.
Fast Fact
You can find AARP members in every U.S. congressional district.
AARP Affiliates
AARP connects to several organizations. The AARP Foundation is a charity helping those over 50 at economic or social risk. Other parts include the AARP Experience Corps for tutoring kids, and the AARP Institute managing gift annuity funds. AARP Services, a for-profit side, develops products. Legal Counsel for the Elderly offers legal help to seniors in D.C., while AARP Financial Services handles real estate as a for-profit. The AARP Insurance Plan manages group insurance.
Other AARP Initiatives
- Promoting driver safety through AARP Driver Safety
- Producing TV programming for seniors
- Offering tax advising and assistance
- Fraud prevention and consumer protection
- Sponsoring causes like fighting food insecurity
- Nonpartisan voter engagement
More on AARP Programs
AARP runs outreach on housing and social isolation for seniors. It pushes for stronger Social Security and Medicare.
Criticism of AARP
AARP ranks as one of America's strongest lobbying groups, drawing notice for its influence in D.C. and state capitals. Its nonprofits get millions in federal grants yearly. While nonpartisan, critics say its stances lean liberal, like backing government aid for retirees, opposing Social Security privatization, and emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
What Does AARP Stand for?
AARP originally meant American Association of Retired Persons. In 1999, it switched to just AARP to reflect that many members aren't fully retired or work part-time.
How Old Do You Need to Be to Join AARP?
AARP targets those 50 and above, but anyone 18 or older can join. All members get benefits, except age-restricted ones like certain insurance plans.
What Political Candidates Does AARP Support?
AARP doesn't support candidates, contribute to campaigns, or back parties—it's nonpartisan. It encourages voting and lobbies on issues for over-50s, like Social Security rules, Medicare, health access, tax deductions, drug costs, and workplace age discrimination.
The Bottom Line
In summary, AARP promotes the well-being of those over 50 as a nonprofit. It avoids partisan politics but lobbies strongly on state and federal levels for things like Social Security and health access. Members benefit from tax help, discounts, insurance, fraud prevention, and education.
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