Reducing the number of Bulletin's and AARP Magazine Printing.

[kg29289202]

Am I the only one disappointed that AARP has decided to reduce the printing of both the Bulletin and the Magazine?  I enjoy reading printed info and it is one the only benefits I appreciate belonging to AARP.  There are masses of information showing how too much social media and online time is bad for our health and actually isolates us--which seems to be contrary to this new move by AARP forcing us to spend more time online.  I hope that if enough of us complain AARP might reconsider.  

[jcPDXer]

I am also disappointed in the move to reducing frequency of printed publications. Reading on a tablet, phone, or computer causes eye strain for me, especially after working in a job that requires me to look at a computer daily. Reading a printed publication is more eye friendly. Forcing readers to use the AARP Now app may require upgrading your device if it is not new enough to have a compatible operating system which I discovered when unsuccessfully installing the app on my older iPad. I cannot justify the cost of a new iPad at around &700+ just to install AARP Now. Giving readers the choice of print and digital editions is great, just don’t forget that many members look forward to the printed editions because they may not have other options.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello jc31218297, I understand your frustration in the reduced printings of AARP the Magazine and the AARP Bulletin. Although we are reducing the Publications to 6 editions for the Magazine and 6 editions for the Bulletin each year, they will be mailed out in alternating months.  I do understand as well downloading the app may not be the best option for some of our members, you can still however check out many articles on the AARP website as well if your current device does not support the most current version of the AARP Now app. I am here to help if you have any other questions!  - Amanda C. 

[AliceR575417]

Are you sure this doesn't have anything to do with the company that has taken over printing these issues since around the middle of 2023? Quad Graphics? LSC Communications, formerly known as RR Donnelly & Sons printed these issues until then. The CEO of AARP thought they were charging to much money. They literally bent over backwards to accommodate any issues or complaints he had. They allowed for very late last minute changes. Whatever he wanted added to issues they found a way to do it, regardless of how time consuming or how many people it took to get done what he wanted. The CEO kept threatening to go to Quad Graphics because they were cheaper. When the contract with LSC Communications was up for negotiating, he went to Quad Graphics. They said they could do everything LSC was doing. When it came time to start running the issues, Quad told them what they would amd would not do. By that time it was to late to go back to LSC. They had started closing printing plants and they closed the plants that specifically had the capabilities to run their bulletin and magazine. There wasn't any other companies to handle the volume of prints AARP put out. RR Donnelley printed AARP for many many years. Then the company split into 3 different companies with the printing side being renamed LSC Communications. 

[kcfield]

 KG, it isn't just the written materials that are being reduced. I was a contributing writer to the online "Experience Counts" newsletter which started less than a couple years ago. It was publishing twice a month. The last November issue was the very last. Contributing writers weren't informed, I only learned about it from the issue itself and there was no explanation as to why. Experience counts had previously merged with the Veterans Newsletter, so I believe that is defunct as well. I do wish there was better communication about these things to readers and contributors alike. When I contacted the executive editor, she apologized but didn't offer any reasons as to why the newsletter was ceasing publication.

[hamlyn]

No, you are not the only one disappointed in the PROPOSAL to reduce the issues of the Bulletin from 10 to 6 per year. Let's hope this ill considered decision can be reversed. AARP purports to promote health & wellness in seniors. Increasing screen time is doing just the opposite. I too value reading the print versions of the Magazine and Bulletin and is a primary reason for my membership. Decreasing the number of issues AARP will decrease my quality of life and well being. This backward move deeply saddens me. 

By all means increase digital content for those who wish to access it. I read with interest how there was more info in digital form. Interested yes, but I have not found the desire to spend more time looking at a screen.

Whilst I can appreciate that AARP is a large organization, trying to find a way to communicate my concerns is also a concern. There does not seem to be a way to contact anyone in a position of power or whoever made this decision. Feels like a big corporation with little interest in those being served. How many others will make the effort to discover how to protest? AARP is not serving all of its members.

[WebWiseWoman]

Hi, kg! Would you provide where you learned this information "...that AARP has decided to reduce the printing of both the Bulletin and the Magazine?", please?

I haven't found that info anywhere on AARP.org site; rather most of us have opted out for many reasons, not least of which is resources (paper, ink, transportation impacts on our ecology).

I'm pretty sure anyone who wants to receive the printed versions should be able to, but if not, I would support your complaint. 

I also think these printings bring massive advertising money to AARP, so not sure why they'd give that up...

I personally enjoy the online versions I download to my tablet then can read at my leisure, not while online: "AARP The Magazine" - digital version  

Thanks for the information, kg!

[kg29289202]

The announcement was made in the most recent print bulletin.  From what I understand they will go to an every other issue to print.  Yeah, I'm sure it is for "cost saving" (isn't every reduction in benefits that?) but I will still miss the print version.  Sure sometimes online is easier for some rather than others but like I mentioned, there is more and more research proving that spending so much time online isn't good for our brains in many ways.  This just seems contrary to the messages AARP continues to put out.

[WebWiseWoman]

Hi, kg! Thanks again for the information, but could you please provide the issue date of the print bulletin? My neighbor checked his and we couldn't find that info; just want to be clear so we can challenge this responsibly, with facts.

Thank you!

[JZ55408]

 It was on Page 4 of the July/August 2024 issue of AARP Bulletin. Cannot miss it!