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AARP - Thoughts?

radcen

radcen

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AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
 
radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

My thoughts on the AARP is that I wish they would stop sending me so many damn invitations to join.
 
You only need to be 50. I carry a card but, don't care for their Leftist slant.

Can't say I've gotten any more than a few dollars off a hotel room for my effort.
 
I am not a member, I'm only 45.

I enrolled my mother (78-years-old) a couple months ago because of the half dozen companies I took non-life insurance (car/home) quotes from theirs were by far the best value (reputable underwriter + reasonably priced).

Even after paying the yearly membership in order to access the group policy rates we still saved saved nearly $1000 over her previous policies (which had not been competitively negotiated for several years) and several hundred dollars over the next lowest priced competitor.

She has also since used the membership discounts AARP affords at various restaurants, to purchase Kindle eBooks, and for assorted other shopping.

Joining has paid for itself several times over and she hasn't even been a member for a year.

Fortunately she's in great position in terms of healthcare insurance otherwise I would expect that we'd see a benefit there as well.

I've heard bad stories about insurance rates being excellent (as we've seen) the first year (that's how they hook you) and then increasing dramatically year after year thereafter.

If that's the case then I'll just going shopping again for a new carrier when the time comes.

Fortunately I can advocate for her and have the patients and negotiation skills to get her the best deal,

Seniors who are hard of hearing, averse to technology, non-confrontational, suffering from physical pain, and/or any of the many other things that cause their quality of life to degrade more generally, must really have it tough trying to fend for themselves.
 
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Not quite there yet myself in age, but the vote on the AARP might have been completed after ACA. I think they are a group that represents you well so long as you lean Democrat, perhaps not so much if you lean Republican.

Unfortunately a very good argument could be made that the AARP eventually became nothing more than an organization that helps and advocates for the interest of seniors so long as that ends up Democrat Party. Their support of ACA, in some cases well before even Insurance Companies were appeased, verified that.

The only other thing we can look at is sites like opensecrets.org, who suggests that while the AARP gives to the campaigns of both Republicans and Democrats the numbers become suspect. There is only a slight lean to Democrats for 2014 and 2012 (post them being outed by right leaning media on this subject,) but prior to that it was a major lean to Democrats for 2010, 2008 and 2006. Numbers before that end up messy for the political reasons at the time. Overall lobbying numbers for the AARP have fallen dramatically since the 2008 election season ($35.1 million in 2008, all of $5.6 million for 2015) but they are still in the mix as an advocacy group primarily for Democrat leans.

In services and help they offer seniors they are a good organization, but there are others perhaps not as well known that have also not jumped too far into the political arena where eventually you pick one side or the other.
 
radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

Everybody needs a lobby.
 
I get better deals being prior service and with a 60% disability- wounds, puts me in the priority one group for healthcare.

I stopped being so interested when AARP started pedaling their own insurance rather than rating and reviewing the marketplace. can't say someone is an honest advocate if they try and sell me their house brand rather than help me wade through all the plans out there....

Justa thought.... :peace
 
Regardless of your politics, AARP fights for senior citizens.

The senior citizen conservatives are the type who were raging "get your government hands off my medicare" while not renouncing Medicare benefits and gladly accepting the benefits provided by Medicare Part D. AARP supported the PPACA because of the benefits provided to them under Medicare.
 
radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

AARP is closely tied with the insurance industry lobbyists and supports liberal politicians. Neither of which I wish to support. Any place that would issue a "senior citizens" discount to someone 50 years old (or younger) with an AARP card yet would not do so for someone older (like my girlfriend, 62 and myself, 61) lacking that card will no longer receive my business: Denny's, Dunkin Donuts the Outback Steak House are examples of such discriminatory businesses.

Directory of AARP Discounts and Benefits to Save Seniors Thousands of Dollars
 
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radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

I can, but my Darling and I haven't joined yet. We probably will, not because they're "worthy", but because they're useful.
 
radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

I'be hated the aarp since I was in my 20s when they killed a medicare reform way back when. I suspected it would eventually cost me a pile when I was old enough as it would shift a huge burden onto my generation. I'be been waiting to give them a big fu when I was old enough to join.

On a lighter note I get a good chuckle telling my older, albeit by only nine months, wife the aarp sent her another membership eligibility letter.
 
Why would anyone do business with an outfit that's so seriously in bed with the very entities they claim they can protect you from? I get significant discounts everywhere because I promise not to die while there. It's amazing what the threat of doing nothing will get ya.
 
for those who again dislike the politics of AARP as i did

there is an alternative

amac.org

almost the same discounts on lots of places

i have been a member for five years....they keep adding new stuff

much newer than AARP....so still growing

just an alternative
 
AARP is an organization that represents seniors. To do that in in today's US that means they have to lobby, and yes become political. Do they lean Dem? Maybe, but if you are a senior and want representation in our bought and paid for government and they are doing that for you, then WhoTF cares how they lean?

If more Middle Class people(and seniors) voted for their own financial interests and their own wallets instead of worrying about politics and if gays can marry or not maybe the MC would be in a better position to fight for their rights instead of being constantly run over by the Corps. and the politicians.

Remember nowadays most Dem politicians are more SS and Medicare friendly then the current GOP.
 
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soot said:
I am not a member, I'm only 45.

I enrolled my mother (78-years-old) a couple months ago because of the half dozen companies I took non-life insurance (car/home) quotes from theirs were by far the best value (reputable underwriter + reasonably priced).

Even after paying the yearly membership in order to access the group policy rates we still saved saved nearly $1000 over her previous policies (which had not been competitively negotiated for several years) and several hundred dollars over the next lowest priced competitor.

She has also since used the membership discounts AARP affords at various restaurants, to purchase Kindle eBooks, and for assorted other shopping.

Joining has paid for itself several times over and she hasn't even been a member for a year.

Fortunately she's in great position in terms of healthcare insurance otherwise I would expect that we'd see a benefit there as well.

I've heard bad stories about insurance rates being excellent (as we've seen) the first year (that's how they hook you) and then increasing dramatically year after year thereafter.

If that's the case then I'll just going shopping again for a new carrier when the time comes.

Fortunately I can advocate for her and have the patients and negotiation skills to get her the best deal,

Seniors who are hard of hearing, averse to technology, non-confrontational, suffering from physical pain, and/or any of the many other things that cause their quality of life to degrade more generally, must really have it tough trying to fend for themselves.
Click to expand...

What's the ins. co, if you don't mind saying? Hartford?

How did you all get $ off of Kindle ebooks? I've not seen a reference anywhere about AARP having any discounts on Kindle books.
 
OrphanSlug said:
Not quite there yet myself in age, but the vote on the AARP might have been completed after ACA. I think they are a group that represents you well so long as you lean Democrat, perhaps not so much if you lean Republican.

Unfortunately a very good argument could be made that the AARP eventually became nothing more than an organization that helps and advocates for the interest of seniors so long as that ends up Democrat Party. Their support of ACA, in some cases well before even Insurance Companies were appeased, verified that.

The only other thing we can look at is sites like opensecrets.org, who suggests that while the AARP gives to the campaigns of both Republicans and Democrats the numbers become suspect. There is only a slight lean to Democrats for 2014 and 2012 (post them being outed by right leaning media on this subject,) but prior to that it was a major lean to Democrats for 2010, 2008 and 2006. Numbers before that end up messy for the political reasons at the time. Overall lobbying numbers for the AARP have fallen dramatically since the 2008 election season ($35.1 million in 2008, all of $5.6 million for 2015) but they are still in the mix as an advocacy group primarily for Democrat leans.

In services and help they offer seniors they are a good organization, but there are others perhaps not as well known that have also not jumped too far into the political arena where eventually you pick one side or the other.
Click to expand...

That's not true. (On its site right now is a contest to enter to win a fishing trip with Hank Williams Jr., hardly a bastion of liberal politics.)

It took the position on the ACA because of what it viewed as the benefits to Medicare contained in it. It takes whatever position it thinks is best for both seniors AND ins. cos. (remember that AARP is the largest purveyor of ins. in the country).

Before the ACA thing that got Republicans angry, it took a position on something that got Democrats angry (something the Republicans were pushing, that the AARP supported strongly). Again, it was something that the AARP viewed as helpful to seniors.

Example: It would probably oppose anything to privatize Social Security, regardless of who proposes it, since it views privatizing as being harmful to seniors. But it would probably support a partial move to reform.

AARP supports no political party. It supports its members, who are seniors, and itself, as a purveyor of insurance (auto and life and homeowners - don't know if it helps sell health ins.). It so happens that it's more often the case that the Dem. Party supports Social Security and Medicare, while Republicans work to do away with them (privatize them).
 
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ttwtt78640 said:
AARP is closely tied with the insurance industry lobbyists and supports liberal politicians. Neither of which I wish to support. Any place that would issue a "senior citizens" discount to someone 50 years old (or younger) with an AARP card yet would not do so for someone older (like my girlfriend, 62 and myself, 61) lacking that card will no longer receive my business: Denny's, Dunkin Donuts the Outback Steak House are examples of such discriminatory businesses.

Directory of AARP Discounts and Benefits to Save Seniors Thousands of Dollars
Click to expand...

AARP is not tied to "liberal politicians." It IS tied to the insurance industry, since the AARP is part of the insurance industry. Duh.

You have to be 50, I think, to be a member. Not younger.

Members would get a discount somewhere because the AARP arranged a deal with that business. If YOU arrange a deal with that business, they will give your senior gf the discount, too.

The AARP works on behalf of its members, who are seniors. It takes positions in politics based on whether it benefits or harms seniors, regardless of what political party proposes a bill. AARP has supported Republican and Democratic Party bills, both. And both just as strongly.

It lost members a while back when it supported a primarily Republican bill, although an unethical Democrat was also a co-sponsor (The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Reform...part D). Democrats dropped their memberships in droves. It also lost members when it supported the Democratic Party proposed ACA. Republicans dropped their memberships in droves, as well.
 
radcen said:
AARP: Are you old enough to be a member? If so, are you a member? If not, why not? If so, why? What about AARP, do you feel, makes it a worthy or unworthy organization?
Click to expand...

I finally joined after being badgered with mailings for years. I get a newsletter periodically. I got a 10% discount on a hotel bill once. I won a $5 Target card by redeeming rewards for doing contests on the AARP website. Other than that, not that advantageous. But I don't travel much. I eat out but forget to check to see if I get an AARP discount there.

What's irritating are the endless emails they send. I unsubscribed to one after another, then unsubscribed to all emails...and I still got them! I had to call to ask her to get me off whatever list they're using.

They also start sending emails and mailings reminding you to renew. These started just a few of months after I joined, when there was 8 months to go to renew time!

Now that the emails have stopped, I will consider keeping the membership, to see if it's more advantageous for me over time. If you travel or eat out a lot, the discounts may be worth it.

I haven't checked into the insurance that another poster here said he had done, so I need to do that. Maybe I'll save $ on my homeowner's and car ins.

It's been fine. I think it has benefited me. But often seniors can get discounts whether they are members of AARP or not.
 
JumpinJack said:
AARP is not tied to "liberal politicians." It IS tied to the insurance industry, since the AARP is part of the insurance industry. Duh.

You have to be 50, I think, to be a member. Not younger.

Members would get a discount somewhere because the AARP arranged a deal with that business. If YOU arrange a deal with that business, they will give your senior gf the discount, too.

The AARP works on behalf of its members, who are seniors. It takes positions in politics based on whether it benefits or harms seniors, regardless of what political party proposes a bill. AARP has supported Republican and Democratic Party bills, both. And both just as strongly.

It lost members a while back when it supported a primarily Republican bill, although an unethical Democrat was also a co-sponsor (The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Reform...part D). Democrats dropped their memberships in droves. It also lost members when it supported the Democratic Party proposed ACA. Republicans dropped their memberships in droves, as well.
Click to expand...

Only one spouse needs to be at least 50 for both to be AARP members.

Here is a link on AARP's "mission" and its political positions/contributions:

Articles: AARP: Money First, Seniors Second

Support for PPACA which cut Medicare funding and allows usong only two actuarial risk factors for raising "priavte" individual medical care insurance premiums: old age for up to a 300% increase and tobacco use for up to a 50% increase. How exactly does that nonsense benefit seniors?
 
JumpinJack said:
That's not true. (On its site right now is a contest to enter to win a fishing trip with Hank Williams Jr., hardly a bastion of liberal politics.)

It took the position on the ACA because of what it viewed as the benefits to Medicare contained in it. It takes whatever position it thinks is best for both seniors AND ins. cos. (remember that AARP is the largest purveyor of ins. in the country).

Before the ACA thing that got Republicans angry, it took a position on something that got Democrats angry (something the Republicans were pushing, that the AARP supported strongly). Again, it was something that the AARP viewed as helpful to seniors.

Example: It would probably oppose anything to privatize Social Security, regardless of who proposes it, since it views privatizing as being harmful to seniors. But it would probably support a partial move to reform.

AARP supports no political party. It supports its members, who are seniors, and itself, as a purveyor of insurance (auto and life and homeowners - don't know if it helps sell health ins.). It so happens that it's more often the case that the Dem. Party supports Social Security and Medicare, while Republicans work to do away with them (privatize them).
Click to expand...

I can only illustrate this by showing where the money goes (and has been going.)

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000023726&cycle=2010
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000023726&cycle=2010

And that is just what is reported...
 
JumpinJack said:
That's not true. (On its site right now is a contest to enter to win a fishing trip with Hank Williams Jr., hardly a bastion of liberal politics.)

It took the position on the ACA because of what it viewed as the benefits to Medicare contained in it. It takes whatever position it thinks is best for both seniors AND ins. cos. (remember that AARP is the largest purveyor of ins. in the country).

Before the ACA thing that got Republicans angry, it took a position on something that got Democrats angry (something the Republicans were pushing, that the AARP supported strongly). Again, it was something that the AARP viewed as helpful to seniors.

Example: It would probably oppose anything to privatize Social Security, regardless of who proposes it, since it views privatizing as being harmful to seniors. But it would probably support a partial move to reform.

AARP supports no political party. It supports its members, who are seniors, and itself, as a purveyor of insurance (auto and life and homeowners - don't know if it helps sell health ins.). It so happens that it's more often the case that the Dem. Party supports Social Security and Medicare, while Republicans work to do away with them (privatize them).
Click to expand...
Are you saying that AARP is kind of like the ACLU? Suffers a horrible and undeserved stigma that someone successfully attached to them years ago, but they actually (for the most part) do good work?

Honest question. I'm not intimately familiar with AARP, hence my making this thread.
 
JumpinJack said:
I finally joined after being badgered with mailings for years. I get a newsletter periodically. I got a 10% discount on a hotel bill once. I won a $5 Target card by redeeming rewards for doing contests on the AARP website. Other than that, not that advantageous. But I don't travel much. I eat out but forget to check to see if I get an AARP discount there.

What's irritating are the endless emails they send. I unsubscribed to one after another, then unsubscribed to all emails...and I still got them! I had to call to ask her to get me off whatever list they're using.

They also start sending emails and mailings reminding you to renew. These started just a few of months after I joined, when there was 8 months to go to renew time!

Now that the emails have stopped, I will consider keeping the membership, to see if it's more advantageous for me over time. If you travel or eat out a lot, the discounts may be worth it.

I haven't checked into the insurance that another poster here said he had done, so I need to do that. Maybe I'll save $ on my homeowner's and car ins.

It's been fine. I think it has benefited me. But often seniors can get discounts whether they are members of AARP or not.
Click to expand...
Great info. Thanks. :)
 
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