AARP: Is it just me...

[SVD]

So a few months back, my grandpa renewed his AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) membership over the phone. The lady he talked to told him that he can sign members of his household up too. Grandpa runs my name by her. she says something to the effect of "Sure, your grandson can be a member." He signs me up.

I just got the membership card yesterday, a membership and a card that I didn't ask for.

I'm 24, living with him. Now is it just me or does that seem to cheapen AARP in some fashion and/or mark my grandfather as a little weird?

 

[Amaris]

Like most large membership networks, AARP has expanded it's base to allow for new options to people under the age of 60. It's their effort to remain relevant and current.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

You know how Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to just KFC a while back to avoid the association with fried food in the name? The American Association of Retired People did the same thing a little over a decade ago by changing their name to just AARP to avoid the connotation that they are solely dedicated to services for retired people.

While most of their services are dedicated to people over fifty, they do provide other services like offering financial advice and insurance to young people.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Actually, the normal eligibility age for AARP is 50, I think. They start sending you stuff by your mid 40's.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Actually, the normal eligibility age for AARP is 50, I think. They start sending you stuff by your mid 40's.

I'm not sure if that's in response to my post, because I did say membership is for those fifty and over, but like I said, they do offer life insurance for children and grandchildren of AARP members and financial planning advice for young people.

http://www.nylaarp.com/Life-Insurance/Young-Start

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11...young-people-planning-their-financial-future/

 

[PKTrekGirl]

^ Nope. I didn't post in response to you - we were posting at the same time, I think.

I wasn't really addressing anyone in particular...but perhaps J. Allen's comment about the age of 60 more than most. But really, just more a generalized comment.

 

[Amaris]

^ Nope. I didn't post in response to you - we were posting at the same time, I think.

I wasn't really addressing anyone in particular...but perhaps J. Allen's comment about the age of 60 more than most. But really, just more a generalized comment.

I thought it was 60. I checked the website and it is 50, but 60 is when all the "R" programs of "AARP" really kick in. They do send stuff at 40, you can enroll into some benefits at 50, too.

Anyhoo, yeah, they've expanded their program, which I think is great.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yeah, they just sent me an application, somehow sensing that I had just turned 50.

 

[Lunarflower]

Actually, the normal eligibility age for AARP is 50, I think. They start sending you stuff by your mid 40's.

They apparently didn't get the memo with me. I have gotten stuff from them for a few years now (I am also 24 like the OP). I also get things for hearing aids, reverse morgages (with a complientary lunch, I should take them up on it next time they send one), and other things like that.

 

[farmkid]

Yeah, they just sent me an application, somehow sensing that I had just turned 50.

The didn't even wait that long for me. I started getting stuff from AARP last year at the age of 36.

 

[mari]

I was getting applications from AARP in my early 20s. Finally got them to knock it off when I sent back the postcard with everything filled out - including birth date - except the credit card information.

 

[B.J.]

I just got the membership card yesterday, a membership and a card that I didn't ask for.

Well, at least you can take advantage of all those benefits and discounts I keep hearing about.

 

[RandyS]

Yeah, they just sent me an application, somehow sensing that I had just turned 50.

The didn't even wait that long for me. I started getting stuff from AARP last year at the age of 36.

I became a member at the age of 36, and that was five years ago.

Of course, I'm disabled, so that probably makes the difference.

 

[Vendikarr]

Yeah, they just sent me an application, somehow sensing that I had just turned 50.

My application arrived in my mailbox on my 50th birthday. They timed it just right.

 

[SVD]

I just got the membership card yesterday, a membership and a card that I didn't ask for.

Well, at least you can take advantage of all those benefits and discounts I keep hearing about.

I would be faaar to embarrassed to whip that card out.

I think it's going to live in a bowl with the two casino club cards I was talked into getting.

 

[Amaris]

I just got the membership card yesterday, a membership and a card that I didn't ask for.

Well, at least you can take advantage of all those benefits and discounts I keep hearing about.

I would be faaar to embarrassed to whip that card out.

I think it's going to live in a bowl with the two casino club cards I was talked into getting.

You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm hoping they send me one soon and I'm only 31. Every little bit helps!

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Exactly. I can't wait to see what the discounts are.

Yeah, they just sent me an application, somehow sensing that I had just turned 50.

My application arrived in my mailbox on my 50th birthday. They timed it just right.

I think my first one did, too (well, not exactly, since it was a Sunday), but I threw it away, not realizing then that I qualified.

 

[RobertVA]

When I receive a frequent series of applications/advertisements like that I get suspicious about what percentage of the organization's membership fees is spent funding all that direct mail solicitation instead of actually serving the members. I'm even more suspicious when the mailings already include things like return address stickers, membership cards or the little auto license plate key fobs (already bearing your plate number!) one organization used to mail out to prospective members.

I'm not particularly pleased that organization was even able to get that auto registration data. They were being sent out well berfore there were any public suggestion that nearly everyone would have any sort of terminal in their home or even their offices with access to computers at other sites. At that time even over the counter bill payments and insurance payments were accomplished with paper and pen for batch entry (often at some other site) on a terminal later. I never thought the license plate key chains were a good idea, as it would identify your car to anyone who found your key chain in the event you dropped them (home address would be nearly as bad - phone number might be safe).

In addition to AARP I frequently get offers from digital satellite providers, a couple of cable/fiber TV/Internet/phone providers (one of which is currently having a compensation dispute with a labor union) and a credit union's life insurance sales arm.

 

[STR]

I just got the membership card yesterday, a membership and a card that I didn't ask for.

Well, at least you can take advantage of all those benefits and discounts I keep hearing about.

I would be faaar to embarrassed to whip that card out.

Really? I'd just start telling people I was the Highlander.

 

[Brolan]

You know how Kentucky Fried Chicken changed their name to just KFC a while back to avoid the association with fried food in the name? ...

That's an urban legend. http://www.snopes.com/lost/kfc.asp