April 24, 2015
Dear Cathy:
I just turned 50 years old but I don’t plan on
retiring until age 62. What exactly do the AARP do and is this a great organization to join? Aging Gracefully, Nebraska
Dear Aging Gracefully:
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization for people age 50 and over, dedicated to enhancing quality of life
for all as they age, which provides a wide range of benefits, special products,
and services for their members.
The AARP stands for the “American Association
for Retired Persons.” In 1999 the AARP
formally changed its official name to AARP. Officially, AARP no longer stands for
anything. It is a United States-based
non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel
Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from the state of California, and based
in Washington, D.C.
AARP Services Inc. offers an array of services
from Medicare supplemental health insurance, discounts on prescription drugs
and consumer goods, entertainment and travel packages, long-term health care
insurance and automobile, home and life insurance.
Yes the AARP is a good organization to join,
however, be aware that some of the services they offer especially their car
insurance. You can actually obtain it elsewhere at a cheaper price so conduct
your own research before using any of their services.
As you know Americans
age 50 and older face choices and pressures unlike those of any other age group
– choices few could have prepared for. We live in a country that steps over senior citizens on our streets so this country don’t care anything about senior citizens. Because
we are social creatures being a part of an organization or group is key to
aging gracefully.
AARP has two affiliated organizations: AARP
Services Inc. which is managed wholly for profit and the AARP Foundation, a
charity that operates on a non-profit basis.
The AARP claims approximately 38 million members making it one of the
largest membership organizations in the United States and it operates as a
non-profit advocate for its members and has one of the most powerful lobbying
groups in the United States.
The AARP Foundation’s goal is to win back
opportunity for those now in crisis, so that thousands of low-income Americans
50+ can regain their foothold and continue to serve as anchors for their
families and communities and ensure that their best life is still within reach. Key areas of focus are hunger, income,
housing and isolation. The Foundation’s vision is a country that is free of poverty
where no older person feels vulnerable.
You can learn more about aging gracefully by reading "Golden Years: How To Age Gracefully and Take Care of Seniors."
Aloha Cathy, I was happy to find your column. I lost my husband when he was 44 and I was 40. I stopped working (never worked again) when I cared for him, and I received SSDI. Back then, I was able to join AARP at 55, it was and is, one of the best things to help me keep going. It is great for others hopefully find out they can join as well. I am now 68, and they have been keeping me going on with all they do for us. I hope many older citizen can find out just how it can change your life. Just wanted to let you know it saved me. I depend on them. Aloha, Rev. Constance (Connie) Young
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