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6 min read 6 stepsMay 6, 2026Verified May 2026

How to Get the Most from Your AARP Membership

AARP membership costs about $16 a year and unlocks discounts, free tax help, fraud alerts, and much more.

At a Glance

Join AARP online or by phone

~40s

Go to aarp.org in your web browser. In the top right area of the page, look for a "Join AARP" or "Become a Member" button. Click it. You will see membership options — usually a one-year plan for around $16, or multi-year plans at a discount per year. Fill in your name, address, email, and payment information. After completing your purchase, you will receive a confirmation email and a welcome letter by mail with your membership card. Alternatively, call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) to join by phone if you prefer talking to a person.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Watch for AARP membership offers in the mail. They sometimes include a reduced first-year rate. If you already received a mailer, use the code inside rather than joining at the standard price.

Create your AARP online account

~33s

Once you are a member, go to aarp.org and click "Sign In" at the top right. If this is your first time, click "Create Account." Enter the email address you used when you joined and create a password. You will receive a verification email — click the link inside it to confirm your account. After signing in, you will see your member benefits, discounts, and account details. Bookmark aarp.org so you can return to it easily.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Use the same email address for your AARP account that you check regularly. AARP sends scam alerts, tax deadline reminders, and benefit updates to that address.

Download the AARP Now app

~27s

The AARP Now app puts your membership card, discounts, and news in one place on your phone. On iPhone: open the App Store, search for "AARP Now," and tap "Get" to install it. On Android: open the Google Play Store, search for "AARP Now," and tap "Install." After installing, open the app and sign in with your AARP account email and password. Your digital membership card appears on the main screen. You can show it on your phone instead of carrying the physical card.

Find and use member discounts

~39s

On the AARP website or in the app, look for the "Discounts" or "Member Benefits" section. Discounts are organized by category: Travel (hotels, airlines, car rentals), Dining (restaurants including IHOP, Outback Steakhouse, and many others), Entertainment (movie tickets, theme parks), Health (dental, vision, hearing aids, gym memberships), and Financial Services. For most discounts, you show your AARP membership card — physical or on your phone — at the time of purchase. Some discounts require a promo code that you copy from the AARP site. Hotel discounts through AARP are often 10% or more at chains like Hilton, Marriott, and Best Western.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Before booking a hotel or buying restaurant gift cards, check aarp.org/discounts first. The savings add up fast, especially on travel.

Sign up for AARP Tax-Aide (February–April)

~41s

AARP Tax-Aide is available from early February through April 15 each year. To find a free tax preparation site near you, go to aarp.org/taxaide and click "Get Free Tax Preparation Help." Enter your zip code to see locations, days, and hours. Many sites require an appointment — call the number listed for the location or book through the website. Bring your government-issued ID, Social Security card or ITIN, all tax documents received in the mail (W-2s, 1099s, Medicare statements), and last year's tax return if you have it.

Warning

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will never ask for your bank account number upfront or ask you to pay anything for their service. If anyone claiming to be from AARP Tax-Aide asks for payment, that is a scam — call 1-888-AARP-NOW to report it.

Use the AARP Fraud Watch Network

~38s

If you think you have encountered a scam — a suspicious phone call, a strange email, an unexpected text asking for personal information — call the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360. It is free and staffed by trained counselors. You do not have to be an AARP member to call. On the AARP website, go to aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork to read current scam alerts and sign up for free email scam warnings. The "Scam Tracking Map" on that page shows scams that have been reported near your zip code.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: The AARP Fraud Watch helpline also helps family members who are worried a loved one may have been targeted. You can call on behalf of someone else.

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AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Americans 50 and older. You do not have to be retired to join. Membership is open to anyone 50 or older, and family members of any age can join at a reduced rate.

Membership costs about $16 per year (prices may change — check aarp.org for the current rate). For most members, that cost is recovered quickly through discounts on everyday expenses.

What AARP membership actually gives you

The main reasons people join AARP are: (1) discounts on hotels, restaurants, and car rentals; (2) discounts on prescription drugs; (3) free tax preparation help through AARP Tax-Aide; (4) access to the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline; and (5) health and Medicare guidance. There is also an active online community, games, and a magazine delivered to your home.

AARP is not an insurance company

AARP does not sell insurance directly. It partners with companies like UnitedHealthcare and other providers to offer AARP-endorsed health, dental, vision, life, and auto insurance plans. You choose whether to sign up for any of these. They are separate from basic AARP membership.

Prescription drug discounts

The AARP Prescription Discounts program (powered by OptumRx) provides a free discount card that can lower the cost of many medications. This works even if you have Medicare Part D. You can compare prices and sometimes save on drugs your insurance does not fully cover. Show the card at participating pharmacies. Download the card at aarp.org/rxdiscounts.

AARP Tax-Aide — free in-person tax help

Every year from February through mid-April, AARP Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation for people with low-to-moderate income, with special focus on those 50 and older. IRS-certified volunteers prepare your return at no charge. To find a location, go to aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669).

AARP Fraud Watch Network

AARP operates a free Fraud Watch helpline at 1-877-908-3360. You can call to report a scam, get advice on a suspicious situation, or ask whether something sounds legitimate. The AARP website also posts current scam alerts at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

Sources:

AARP official website (aarp.org), AARP Fraud Watch Network (aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork), AARP Tax-Aide (aarp.org/taxaide).

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Official Resources

USA.gov — Government Services SSA — Social Security Benefits.gov IRS Free File

Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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