Membership

As a newer member, I find AARP to be pretty great, and I'll continue to be a member. But I have a criticism of some of the deceptive and manipulative marketing tactics used by either AARP or AARP-sanctioned partners. These are: 1) Marketing mail that use cards that appear at first like a gift card of value, but really are just print outs of the "savings" you could get if you buy the insurance, etc. 2) Fake polls.   An example is answering poll questions like, "Do you support Social Security?".   These are blatantly just to get clicks, and are not good faith gathering of information. Using these tactics on a population of people with increased susceptiblity of deception isn't a good look.  I'd prefer AARP have a set of standards for marketing that prevented the low-brow tactics. Again, overall great, just offering criticism if it helps.   

The name you have on the temporary membership card you sent me recently is wrong.  It is impossible to reach AARP by phone.  Howdo I get it fixed?

 I live in a small town and rarely travel. I believe I have used my membership once or twice in all the years I have had it. Apparently, membership is only valuable if you live in a large metropolitan area. Yes, I know there are online benefits, such as quizzes, games, and videos. I am talking about those within the community. Am I missing membership benefits? I am seriously thinking of cancelling my membership even though it is only $20/year.

Recently, I received a membership renewal letter in the mail. It was requesting $17 for “Mexico/Canada membership”. Unfortunately - asking for a check or money order.  Since it would be much easier to do this transaction online - I logged in and started the process. But the fee being requested online is $32!  Why such a huge difference?  I attempted to enable Private Messenger in the forum (using the instructions from other posts) - but My Settings has no such tab…

I've been a AARP member for many years.   I always hear and see advertisements about a free gift.   I've never, ever received a free gift ever upon auto renewal or my initial enrollment .  How come?  I should have received about  5 gifts by now.....no?

I've been a member since 2016, so obviously I have been renewed several times since then.  How do I find out what my current renewal method is and has been for 10 years?

You  know it really doesn't seem right that when a person joins they Get a gift, but it doesn't Matter if it's for 1 year or 5. I  would think The gift should be according to How many years. Either  Something different for the amount of years Or a gift every year.

I received a thank you e-mail for enrolling in automatic renewal. I did not enroll in auto renewal and in my account it's still asking me if I want to enroll. I am totally confused. I tried to cancel, but don't get to where it shows in the demo, so it seems like the e-mail is a mistake. UGH

Membership tote, you advertised a nice looking 3 container tote for the vehicle, instead I received a cheap one container carry tote that won't stand up in a vehicle.

  Can someone tell me how to remove and or delete my profile and account from this ridiculous site?!?  When I go to my account the screen freezes up. There is nothing on this site for me but aggravation!!!

Hi,I’m trying to update my spouse’s email on the Members in this household tab on our account details page. There is not an option to remove/add/edit anyone in that box.  Can you help please?  Thanks, Jim C

No place where AARP management will listen to ideas & complaints. Do they know everything or believe their members & readers are too dumb to tell AARP what they want? 

If I renew for the 5 year membership (@ $55). does it start when my current membership expires (Feb 2026), or will it start now (thereby losing 6 months membership)?

AARP sends mass mailings to "valued members" to renew.  Over the years, I've received many of these posted YEARS before my membership is actually due for renewal.  AARP is well aware of this and chooses not to correct this clearly deceptive and predatory practice.  It will be interesting to see if AARP takes down this post.

I just joined AARP and went to Profile Detailes where it says - add a second person.  It said I am unable to add a person with the same name.  Yes, it is my wife with the same last name.  I added my wife on my application but it did not show it in my profile details.  Can someone in AARP add this to my profile details.  I want my wife to get her own card. Thanks.

Hello all.  I’ve got a question as to who may post in the Community Boards,  Current members ? Or does this also include the general public?  Thank you.   

I am writing to request the deletion of my account on the AARP platform. I have carefully considered this decision and would appreciate your assistance in permanently removing all my personal information and associated data from your systems. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Please cancel my membership immediately.

hi, yesterday I redeemed the 16K in points to obtain the $5 Home Depot card,  my account balance was reduced but I have yet to receive the gift card.  Usually it takes seconds or just a few mins to receive but still nothing.  Wondering if anyone else has been experiencing this lag as well?   Yes, I have been checking my "spam" folder as well.  Nothing   

No matter what I try to do, I am getting messages that "it cannot be done".I am connecting via Surfshark VPN.  This is a common issue when trying to prevent tracking online. I try to edit my name, "cannot be done". I try to edit anything in my profile, "cannot be done". If this keeps continuing I'd rather end my membership than put up with things like this.I'm this >< much closer to just canceling it all.

My husband, Fred, has a membership.I thought we were both on the same membership, but I get emails daily asking me to join. I don't mind joining, but wondered if we were both on his.

FROM THE ARTICLE. Top AARP Benefits for August 2025.8 AARP member benefits to help you savor the end of summer and get ready for fall. By AARP. Published July 31, 2025. While your summer might not be endless, your AARP member benefits keep coming! Make the most of summer’s final days and get ready for the busy fall season with these 8 surprising member benefits for August 2025. 1. AARP Navigator: Medicare Initial Enrollment.The Medicare Open Enrollment period for 2026 is just around the corner, starting on October 15th. AARP is the go-to place for Medicare resources for everyone, including how to enroll and evaluate all the different options. If you're enrolling for the first time, it's important to learn what you qualify for, how to compare plans and how to make an informed choice. AARP Navigator: Medicare Initial Enrollment is an exclusive benefit for AARP members that provides step-by-step guidance to help you confidently enroll in the plan that fits your needs.&

 I constantly am receiver mailers for such things a automatic membership renewal, and memberships.  Since I am already a member and had signed up long ago for automatic renewal, why are my membership dollars going out to pay for these expensive mailers? This is not very efficient and I would love to see that operational costs are  being reduced.  I would be surprised if I am the only person throughout the country that get this kind of mail. Are you in the process of comparing your membership data with your marketing data? This  seems to be about as efficient as DOGE. Sincerely,Phil Westmoreland

 I just received a notification from UnitedHealthcare stating that they are pursuing an 18% INCREASE in rates for the Medicare Supplement Plan G for 2026.  Since I signed up, they have in consecutive years asked for (and received) increases of 5%, 7%, and 9%.  And now they're looking for 18%?  And for what, stock buybacks? Since AARP apparently shills for this company, I have been forced to rethink your usefulness as an organization.  If I don't see you people ACTIVELY lobbying on our behalf in this matter, I will seriously entertain dropping my membership.  In addition, on some of the few social media sites in which I participate, I will actively encourage others to do the same.  DO YOUR JOB!

I switched my membership to all digital on June 2 and I am still getting the magazine and bulletin mailed to me. How long does it take to stop getting those mailed? I did get a confirmation email on June 2 saying I would stop getting mailed publications.