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What AARP Is and How It Works

AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1958 with a membership of over 37 million people. Despite its name, AARP membership is open to anyone age 50 and older, whether retired or still working. The organization focuses on issues affecting people in this age group, including health care, financial security, and quality of life concerns.

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AARP operates as both an advocacy organization and a membership-based institution. On the advocacy side, AARP lobbies for policies at federal, state, and local levels that it believes benefit older adults. As a membership organization, AARP offers discounts, publications, and information resources to its members. The organization does not manage government benefits or Social Security—those are handled by federal agencies like the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Many people confuse AARP with government agencies because it operates in areas related to Medicare, Social Security, and senior services. However, AARP is a private, nonprofit organization. It does not issue benefits, determine benefit amounts, or process applications for government programs. Instead, it provides information about how these programs work and advocates for policy changes it believes would benefit members.

The organization generates revenue through membership dues (currently $16 annually for basic membership), insurance partnerships, and advertising in its publications. AARP Magazine reaches approximately 21.6 million households, making it one of the most widely circulated publications in the United States. Members receive access to this magazine, AARP.org resources, and various member discounts at retailers and service providers.

Practical Takeaway: Understanding that AARP is a nonprofit membership organization—not a government agency—helps clarify what services it does and does not provide. AARP can inform you about programs, but you work directly with government agencies to enroll in benefits like Medicare or Social Security.

Understanding AARP's Information and Educational Resources

AARP provides extensive information resources about aging-related topics through multiple channels. Its website, AARP.org, attracts millions of visitors monthly seeking information about Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, retirement planning, health conditions, and financial matters. The site features articles, guides, webinars, and interactive tools designed to help people understand these complex topics.

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One of AARP's primary educational offerings is its information about Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. AARP's Medicare guides explain different coverage options, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug coverage. The organization breaks down enrollment periods, costs, and what services are covered. However, the actual Medicare enrollment process and coverage decisions take place through Medicare.gov or by contacting Social Security—not through AARP.

AARP also provides information about Social Security. Many people use AARP resources to understand how Social Security benefits are calculated, how work affects benefits, and what happens if someone delays claiming. This information helps people make informed decisions when they contact the Social Security Administration directly.

The organization publishes guides on practical aging topics: managing health conditions, finding quality care, protecting against fraud, financial planning, and housing options. AARP also offers free tax preparation assistance through Tax-Aide, a program where trained volunteers help low- to moderate-income taxpayers complete their returns. In 2023, Tax-Aide volunteers prepared over 1.3 million federal tax returns, demonstrating the scale of this service.

AARP's Caregiving Resources section addresses a significant need: approximately 41 million family members provide unpaid care to adult family members or friends. AARP's caregiving guides address topics like managing stress, understanding long-term care options, and navigating conversations with aging relatives about finances and health decisions.

Practical Takeaway: AARP's educational materials can help you understand how programs work and what options may be available to you, but remember that the actual enrollment and benefit determination happens through official government channels or directly with service providers.

How to Use AARP Information to Make Health Care Decisions

Health care decisions become increasingly complex with age. Medicare alone offers multiple coverage options with different costs, coverage areas, and provider networks. AARP provides information to help people navigate these choices by explaining their options in clear language.

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AARP's Medicare resources explain the differences between Original Medicare (Parts A and B, which are government-run) and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C, which are offered by private insurance companies). The guides describe what each option covers, typical out-of-pocket costs, and how to compare plans. AARP also explains Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs. The organization's materials walk through the process of comparing different drug plans based on medications someone takes regularly.

The organization publishes information about prescription drug costs and ways to reduce them. AARP has been a vocal advocate for allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices directly with pharmaceutical companies—a policy change that began in 2023. The organization provides information about prescription assistance programs, generic drug options, and discount programs that may reduce medication costs.

AARP's resources also cover specific health conditions common in older age. Articles and guides explain conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and cognitive decline, including warning signs, treatment options, and lifestyle approaches that may help. While these resources provide general information, they emphasize that individual health decisions should be made with a doctor or health care provider.

The organization offers information about preventive services covered by Medicare at no cost, including screenings for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. This information helps people understand what preventive care may be available to them and encourages conversations with their doctors about appropriate screenings.

AARP also provides resources about managing multiple medications, understanding medication side effects, and how to work with pharmacists and doctors to optimize medication regimens. Studies show that medication management is a significant health concern for older adults, with approximately 80% of Americans taking at least one prescription medication.

Practical Takeaway: Use AARP's health information to understand your options and prepare questions for your health care providers, but always make personal health decisions in consultation with your doctor or medical team.

Financial Security and Fraud Prevention Resources

Financial security is a major concern for older adults, and AARP provides extensive information about protecting money and understanding financial options. The organization publishes guides about retirement income sources, including Social Security, pensions, annuities, and investments. These guides explain how each income source works and considerations for managing multiple income streams in retirement.

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AARP places particular emphasis on fraud prevention and financial exploitation, which is a serious problem affecting older adults. The Federal Trade Commission reported over 92,000 fraud complaints from people age 60 and older in 2022, with losses exceeding $1 billion. AARP's fraud prevention resources explain common scams targeting older adults, including romance scams, grandparent scams, tech support scams, and investment fraud.

The organization provides specific information about recognizing scams and taking protective steps. AARP explains how scammers obtain personal information, how to verify the legitimacy of callers and emails claiming to be from government agencies or banks, and steps to take if someone becomes a victim of fraud. The organization emphasizes that legitimate government agencies like the Social Security Administration and IRS do not initiate contact by phone or email to demand payment.

AARP's financial resources include information about long-term care costs and planning. The organization provides data on the average costs of different care settings: in 2023, the average annual cost for assisted living was approximately $54,000, while nursing home care could exceed $100,000 annually. AARP's guides explain options for paying these costs, including long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and personal savings strategies.

The organization also provides information about reverse mortgages, which allow homeowners 62 and older to convert home equity into cash. AARP's materials explain how reverse mortgages work, costs associated with them, and considerations before pursuing this option. The organization emphasizes the importance of understanding all options before making decisions.

Additionally, AARP publishes information about Social Security and how benefits are calculated. The organization explains how work history affects benefits, how claiming age affects payment amounts, and how benefits are taxed. This information helps people understand different claiming strategies before they contact Social Security.

Practical Takeaway: Review AARP's fraud prevention information regularly and share it with family members. When making financial decisions, use AARP's educational materials to understand your options, then