Should we opt for AARP?

**bakerbarbara** · July-16-10, 04:31 AM

Love AARP for the benefits or hate it for the politics, it's always in the news. Whats the bottom-line? Does it help economically to join AARP? Looking forward to hear what you all think about this organization. Thanks!

**douglasm** · July-16-10, 06:07 AM

I generally agree with the AARP's positions so my opinion may be coloured a little bit, but even if I didn't, the motel discounts more than cover the cost of the membership for us alone. My only real issue with the organization is that they're trying to sell me something every time I open my mailbox.

**Bobl** · July-16-10, 09:04 AM

Once an advocate for retired people, AARP has become a sales vehicle for insurance companies. That said, some of the discounts offered to members are useful, as the previous poster said.

**Jman** · July-16-10, 10:37 AM

I had been a member for 20 years. I called them once about auto insurance. After 20 min on the phone I asked " so you want to charge me $280. more than I am paying right now for auto insurance that has less coverage. Is that correct?" Their answer, "yes". The only savings I ever realized with the membership was the 10% discount on hotel rooms. Most hotels offer the same 10% as a senior rate. I would wager that the executives at AARP make more than abundant salaries.. As you can probably guess, I let my membership expire.

**Ray1936** · July-16-10, 11:46 AM

Wife belongs; I don't. I have to agree with some thoughts above that the sales pitches just drive me away from them.

**jiminnm** · July-16-10, 05:27 PM

I generally disagree with the AARP's positions on most issues, and have told them so many times. I am a member, though, and have two houses and two cars insured with the Hartford through them. The costs are significantly lower than other insurers I looked at. In fact, our cars were insured with Hartford before joining AARP, and we got the exact same coverage for $200-250 less a year than we had been paying.
If it wasn't for that, I'd drop the membership.

**douglasm** · July-16-10, 05:58 PM

Agreed on the insurance. My motorcycle [[a touring rig) insurance is about half of what I could get it for locally. Agree or disagree....and if you disagree with them, it might be worth it to join to tell them you DO disagree...., the discounts are worth the membership.

**Corn.Bot** · July-16-10, 06:13 PM

We only use AARP for the car insurance. When I turned 50, I called the Hartford for an apples-to-apples comparison with the insurance I was using. I was bummed when their numbers came back a tad higher, so I did not call back. They called me, though, and when I explained why I was not going to switch to their insurance, the guy said, "you gave us your quote from hmm-hmm insurance. That was for six months, correct?" "Yes," I replied. He said, "well, Mrs. Corn.Bot, the figure we quoted you is for one year."

We've been with the Hartford ever since. Random comparison quotes in the years since have not beat their price, even if I add in the cost of membership. I don't have to like AARP to appreciate the break.

gdogslim · July-17-10, 12:06 PM

Yes, opt out of AARP. they are a leftist organization that
stabs seniors in the back by backing the socialist health care proposal.
Go to AMAC and give them your business, they won't give it to the democrats.
http://www.amac.us/amac-was-founded-...ive-to-aarp-2/

**Meddle** · July-17-10, 12:45 PM

I look at the amount of money they spend on advertising and wonder about their money management skills.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-17-10, 01:11 PM

The AARP was bought and sold by the Bush Adminstration. They put their puppet in charge to maneuver AARP's support for the mostly right-wing, pork laden, 250 billion dollars, Medicare Plan.

**bakerbarbara** · July-19-10, 07:18 AM

so we don’t like the politics but love the discounts?

**Corn.Bot** · July-19-10, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by bakerbarbara

so we don’t like the politics but love the discounts?

LOL, that's about it, isn't it?

Sort of like shopping at Walmart. Love getting a case of diet Coke at such a cheap price, but a little embarrassed to admit where I bought it.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-19-10, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by bakerbarbara

so we don’t like the politics but love the discounts?

Yup,yup and yup.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-19-10, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Corn.Bot

LOL, that's about it, isn't it?

Sort of like shopping at Walmart. Love getting a case of diet Coke at such a cheap price, but a little embarrassed to admit where I bought it.

Yup, yup and yup.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-21-10, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

The AARP was bought and sold by the Bush Adminstration. They put their puppet in charge to maneuver AARP's support for the mostly right-wing, pork laden, 250 billion dollars, Medicare Plan.

I think the guy's name was Novelli. Handpicked by the Bush Administration. He brought home the bacon. You can be sure he landed in a political think tank or CEO's office somewhere like Halliburton, Blackwater [[new name?), a bank or oil company.

**jiminnm** · July-21-10, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

I think the guy's name was Novelli. Handpicked by the Bush Administration. He brought home the bacon. You can be sure he landed in a political think tank or CEO's office somewhere like Halliburton, Blackwater [[new name?), a bank or oil company.

Yeah, that Bill Novelli is a raging right winger. Previously ran Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, former EVP of CARE, former Peace Corps and VISTA executive, etc. He showed his conservative stripes when the AARP fought the Bush administration and was likely the most repsonsible for defeating the plan to privatize part of social security.

Oh, he left AARP for a position at Georgetown Univ.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-22-10, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by jiminnm

Yeah, that Bill Novelli is a raging right winger. Previously ran Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, former EVP of CARE, former Peace Corps and VISTA executive, etc. He showed his conservative stripes when the AARP fought the Bush administration and was likely the most repsonsible for defeating the plan to privatize part of social security.

Oh, he left AARP for a position at Georgetown Univ.

Hey jiminnm, do you think there's a possibility I have the wrong guy? Or maybe, I'm just wrong about this guy? Nahhhh. Do you wanna fight?

**gazhekwe** · July-22-10, 08:27 AM

Usually AAA and regular senior discounts are equal to AARP's, so I see no reason to belong. Once you become eligible for Medicare, if you need to buy other insurance to cover the difference, AARP's offering may be a reasonable option. If you already have a good plan with your employer or pension plan, then you don't need AARP's plan.

I hated how they helped get that horrid Donut Hole plan rammed through. Anything to help big Pharma, that's AARP.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-23-10, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by 1KielsonDrive

Hey jiminnm, do you think there's a possibility I have the wrong guy? Or maybe, I'm just wrong about this guy? Nahhhh. Do you wanna fight?

Hey jim, that was a self-deprecating joke.

**hester_foster** · July-28-10, 04:29 AM

I don’t care what they support or don’t, the fact remains AARP has made a lot of things affordable for retired people. I use their home, RV and car insurance and get a really good rate, almost $300 less than what I was paying earlier. Yes, AARP is good for senior benefits.

**Papasito** · July-28-10, 09:47 AM

hester_foster

, AARP has done some great things for Seniors, but they have aligned themselves politically with just one party, and that in itself is perilous. They should pro Senior citizen, and not just another political lobbyist group. We've got enough of those already.

**1KielsonDrive** · July-31-10, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Papasito

hester_foster

, AARP has done some great things for Seniors, but they have aligned themselves politically with just one party, and that in itself is perilous. They should pro Senior citizen, and not just another political lobbyist group. We've got enough of those already.

I'm with you on this one. It doesn't matter which party, they shouldn't align themselves with one or the other, just advocate for seniors. Notwithstanding other comments I've made, I may check into their insurance and other services. I can be taught new tricks.