AARP

AARP
Name	AARP
Founded	0 1958
Founder	Ethel Percy Andrus, Leonard Davis
Location	Washington, D.C., United States
Key people	Jo Ann Jenkins (CEO)
Focus	Advocacy, services for older adults
Revenue	$1.8 billion (2022)

AARP. Founded in 1958 by retired educator Ethel Percy Andrus and insurance executive Leonard Davis, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans aged 50 and older. It is one of the most influential advocacy groups in the United States, with a membership exceeding 38 million, and provides a wide array of benefits, financial services, and resources. The organization operates with a mission to enhance the quality of life for older adults through advocacy, community service, and information.

History

The organization was established as the American Association of Retired Persons following the earlier founding of the National Retired Teachers Association by Ethel Percy Andrus in 1947. Andrus, a former high school principal in Los Angeles, created the NRTA to help retired educators secure affordable health insurance, a need she discovered after visiting a former teacher living in poverty. The success of this model led Andrus and her associate, Leonard Davis—who later founded the Colonial Penn Group—to expand the mission to all older Americans. The organization dropped "Retired Persons" from its name in 1999 to reflect a broader focus on aging, not just retirement, and has since been known simply by its initials. Its headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., strategically positioning it at the center of national policy debates concerning Social Security, Medicare, and other critical issues.

Membership and benefits

Membership is open to anyone age 50 or older, with annual dues providing access to a suite of exclusive discounts and services. Core benefits include member discounts on hotel stays, car rental services from companies like Hertz and Avis, and subscription offers for publications such as AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin. Members also gain access to educational resources through AARP Driver Safety courses, local chapter events, and volunteer opportunities like the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program. Additional perks often include reduced rates on vision care, hearing aids, and entertainment options, with many benefits extended to a member's spouse or partner regardless of their age.

Advocacy and lobbying

The organization maintains one of the most powerful lobbying operations in the United States Congress, focusing on issues critical to older Americans. Its advocacy priorities have historically centered on protecting and strengthening Social Security, preserving Medicare and Medicaid, supporting the Affordable Care Act, and promoting policies related to long-term care, prescription drug pricing, and age discrimination. The AARP Foundation litigates on issues like consumer protection and elder rights, while its political arm, AARP Votes, engages in voter education. The organization's influence was notably demonstrated during the debate over the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and subsequent reforms.

Financial services and products

Through a subsidiary, AARP Services, Inc., the organization endorses a range of financial products and insurance plans provided by third-party companies. These offerings include Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, often provided in partnership with UnitedHealth Group, as well as auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and life insurance products. Members can also access services like investment guidance through AARP Financial, credit card programs, and fraud prevention resources. Revenue from these licensing agreements provides a significant portion of the organization's overall income, which funds its advocacy and charitable programs.

Publications and media

AARP produces a wide array of publications and digital content aimed at its demographic. Its flagship publication, AARP The Magazine, is one of the highest-circulation periodicals in the United States, alongside the news-oriented AARP Bulletin. The organization also operates AARP.org, a comprehensive website featuring articles on health, personal finance, entertainment, and caregiving. Other media ventures include AARP Studios, which produces television programming and documentaries, and the AARP Podcast, covering topics from retirement planning to healthy living. These platforms serve to inform members and the public on issues relevant to aging.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced criticism over its business practices, particularly the substantial revenue it earns from licensing its name to insurance and financial service providers like UnitedHealth Group. Critics, including former board member John Rother, have argued this creates potential conflicts of interest, especially when lobbying on health care and insurance legislation. AARP's political stances have also drawn ire from both the Republican and Democratic parties at times, with some conservatives accusing it of favoring liberal policies and some progressives criticizing its support for certain reforms to Social Security. Its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(4) organization and the compensation of its executives have been subjects of scrutiny by media outlets like The Wall Street Journal and congressional committees.

Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Advocacy groups in the United States Category:Organizations established in 1958