What do you think about the AARP? Is it worth it? Do they have progressive agenda?

[Barry]

AARP noticed I just turned 60 and sent me a "special birthday" discount invite.

I've avoided them in the past. Just sounded too main stream to me. I haven't really looked into their discounts or their political agenda. I presume they would be protecting social security and medicare, which is good thing.

What do you guys think? Have you joined? Have you used their discounts? Do you feel good about their political agenda?

Barry

[gypsey]

---

I've been a member for 12 years and feel it is definitely worth the small ($16 per year) membership fee.
It's a very large and powerful organization and yes, it is mainstream which in this case is a good thing: protecting social security and Medicare, going to bat for elders who have legal/financial issues where they may be being cheated or just need an advocate to cut through red tape. The "benefits"--discounts on car rentals and the newsletter are nice, but the real value to me is as a voice in DC for senior entitlements we have earned--needed now more than ever. There is power in numbers--just one of the good things about being "mainstream."
Hope this helps...give it a try...

AARP noticed I just turned 60 and sent me a "special birthday" discount invite.

I've avoided them in the past. Just sounded too main stream to me. I haven't really looked into their discounts or their political agenda. I presume they would be protecting social security and medicare, which is good thing.

What do you guys think? Have you joined? Have you used their discounts? Do you feel good about their political agenda?

Barry

[Cascade]

I've been unwilling to join the AARP because a few years ago they lobbied against better prescription coverage under Medicare, presumably because it would have had a negative effect on their business income. Searching for some documentation of AARP's lobbying activities, I found a Washington Post article from four years ago

AARP lobbies against Medicare changes that could hurt its bottom line

This isn't the first time they've had a conflict of interest, because I've resisted joining them for more than a decade. They're clearly not in favor of single payer insurance. So they are a mixed bag - they support social security and generally support medicare, but don't want it to change in a way that would be detrimental to their financial interests.

AARP noticed I just turned 60 and sent me a "special birthday" discount invite.

I've avoided them in the past. Just sounded too main stream to me. I haven't really looked into their discounts or their political agenda. I presume they would be protecting social security and medicare, which is good thing.

What do you guys think? Have you joined? Have you used their discounts? Do you feel good about their political agenda?

Barry

[wisewomn]

A couple of years ago (or maybe it was during W's administration--time sure flies), AARP was caught trying behind the scenes to help privatize Social Security. There was a huge uproar when word got out, and AARP backed off. That said, AARP is very influential politically, which is why I belong to it, but it bears close watching. FWIW.

---

I've been a member for 12 years and feel it is definitely worth the small ($16 per year) membership fee.
It's a very large and powerful organization and yes, it is mainstream which in this case is a good thing: protecting social security and Medicare, going to bat for elders who have legal/financial issues where they may be being cheated or just need an advocate to cut through red tape. The "benefits"--discounts on car rentals and the newsletter are nice, but the real value to me is as a voice in DC for senior entitlements we have earned--needed now more than ever. There is power in numbers--just one of the good things about being "mainstream."
Hope this helps...give it a try...

[Karl Frederick]

I agree that they bear close watching. Membership serves me occasionally for travel and lodging discounts.
BTW I started getting their mailings when I turned 50!

A couple of years ago (or maybe it was during W's administration--time sure flies), AARP was caught trying behind the scenes to help privatize Social Security. There was a huge uproar when word got out, and AARP backed off. That said, AARP is very influential politically, which is why I belong to it, but it bears close watching. FWIW.

[Sara S]

AARP Foundation Draws Attention to Social Isolation with the Launch of Connect2Affect

New Platform Drives Awareness, Provides Information and Solutions for Over 8 Million Older Adults at Risk of Isolation or Loneliness

December 7, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC — AARP Foundation recently announced the launch of Connect2Affect, a response to the growing epidemic of isolation affecting more than 8 million older adults. The goal of Connect2Affect is to create a network that not only builds awareness about social isolation and its impact, but also identifies solutions.
Strong social connections are fundamental to physical and mental well-being. But recent research shows that the negative health consequences of chronic isolation and loneliness, while harmful at any age, are especially so for older adults. According to a study published last year in Perspectives on Psychological Science, the health effects of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. An earlier report found that subjective feelings of loneliness can increase the risk of death by anywhere from 26 percent to 45 percent.
“Social isolation is a complex problem, one that desperately needs our attention,” said AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson. “With Connect2Affect, we want to encourage new research, create a deeper understanding of loneliness and isolation, and identify innovative solutions to help adults age 50 and older build the social connections they need to thrive.”

Spearheaded by AARP Foundation, in collaboration with the Gerontological Society of America, Give an Hour, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and UnitedHealth Group, Connect2Affect features tools and resources to help evaluate isolation risk, reach out to others who may be feeling lonely and disconnected, and find practical ways to reconnect with the community. Content on the website, connect2affect.org, is drawn from leading voices such as the American Society on Aging, Boston College, Huffington Post and many more.
Connect2Affect’s online tool includes a fast, easy self-assessment test that asks yes or no questions relating to relationships, mobility and major life changes. The assessment, which will continue to evolve as new findings on social isolation emerge, can be taken at any age — giving users the opportunity to consider how they want to age and the types of relationships they want to have as they get older.

For more information about social isolation and the Connect2Affect platform, please visit connect2affect.org.