Founded in 1958 as the American Association of Retired Persons, the interest group officially changed its name in 1999 to AARP. Along with the name change, the organization dropped both its age restriction for members and its focus on only retirees. The organization today has over 38 million members, and it enjoys many affiliated support organizations. The bulletin and magazine the company sends members are the two most widely circulated U.S. publications.
Membership can benefit you in the areas of insurance, restaurants, travel, limited-time member offers, groceries, various retailers, health and wellness, gas and auto services, technology and wireless, entertainment, family caregiving, work and jobs, home and real estate, community, advocacy, magazines, and resources. Among the financial benefits, the AARP Money Map can help you create an action plan that will get your finances back on track. Daily hot deals can include offers like savings on ID theft protection, one-way rentals, prescription discounts, Marcus online savings accounts, and unlimited cash back.
Operating as a 501(c) non-profit organization, AARP lobbies at both the state and national level for the welfare of older citizens. Some of the ongoing topics have included healthcare, health insurance, the single-payer program, Social Security, and age discrimination. The organization recently joined the FTC Stop Senior Scams Act Advocacy Group. In 2006, the non-profit spent $23 million of its $1 billion revenue on lobbying. However, this organization is non-partisan, so it does not give money or other support to candidates or political parties.
The organization also has a rewards program. You earn points when you participate in fitness activities, use the company’s number-crunching money tools, take knowledge-boosting quizzes, or do other beneficial things. There are hundreds of activities to choose from, but some people just focus on one particular area and earn points while working toward a goal. Cash in your points for local deals, rare lifetime adventures, discounted gift cards, charitable donations or for sweepstakes entries. While non-members can participate, members earn more points, get deals on everyday essentials, and are privy to exclusive offers.
A second rewards program, the fuel rewards program, helps you save money on gas and on convenience store items. Rewards include a welcome bonus plus one extra point on every purchase. Earn twice as much on AARP Member Days. Receive offers in your email on the 22nd of every month. Just create an Exxon Mobil Rewards+ account on the rewards app or online. Earn three cents per gallon on fuel you purchase. Get two cents per dollar spent in-store. Cash in your points at the fuel pump and at the store at the rate of $1 per 100 points earned.