Are you a card-carrying AARP member? If so, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re taking advantage of the many perks of being a member of the club.
You probably know that your AARP membership benefits include discounts on an array of products from home and car insurance, to tour packages and home security systems. But you may not realize how many — and what a wide variety — are offered.
“The benefits I use religiously are the discounts,” says AARP member Carol Gee, a retired higher education instructor and administrator in Atlanta. For example, she recently booked a hotel for a trip with her husband to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. She was quoted a rate of $229 but saved $35 with her AARP card. “We were upgraded to a suite at that rate, which was really very nice,” she says.
AARP benefits extend far beyond travel discounts. Read on to make sure you aren’t missing out on these savings or any of the many other pluses of being a member.
AARP Membership Enables You To:
1. Find free financial advice.
As you move toward or into retirement, taking care of your money is essential. As an AARP member, you can print or order free financial publications with detailed advice on topics such as carrying mortgage debt into retirement, dealing with age discrimination, investing with IRAs, reinventing your career and when to claim Social Security.
2. Save on car insurance.
For 40 years, The Hartford has been providing exclusive car insurance coverage to AARP members through the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford. Get rewarded for being a safe, experienced driver with premium benefits and savings. For example, you can enjoy a discount for the next three years when you complete the AARP Smart DriverTMCourse. Just send The Hartford a copy of your certificate or update your policy online to receive a credit on your car insurance premium.
3. Cut the cost of home insurance.
Get the protection you need at a rate you deserve with the AARP® Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford. The program offers valuable coverage for your personal property and protection against personal liability. A range of options are available to meet your needs — whether you own a house or condo, or you’re a renter. You can save even more when you bundle your home and auto policies!
4. Get dental and vision insurance.
As you age, eye health and oral health are more important than ever. The AARP Vision Discounts provided by EyeMed offers AARP members a choice among three vision insurance plans. These include comprehensive eye exams with minimal copays and deep discounts on lenses and frames. AARP also offers dental insurance, administered by Delta Dental, that features large dentist networks, limits on out-of-pocket costs and guaranteed acceptance for AARP members.
5. Improve your hearing.
Hey, have you heard? It’s also important not to neglect your ears. The AARP® Hearing Care Program offers an in-person hearing test, custom fitting for hearing aids and a 20% discount on a large portfolio of digital hearing aids. You even get a free three-year supply of hearing aid batteries.
6. Pay less for prescriptions.
The AARP® Prescription Discounts offers savings to AARP members and their spouses and dependents on drugs not covered by your current prescription insurance or Medicare Part D. The savings average up to 61%.
7. Entertain yourself while waiting in line.
You don’t have to let apps and games drain your bank account a buck at a time. AARP offers free online games for members. Enjoy lots of classics from backgammon to daily jigsaw puzzles and mahjong to solitaire. Some games are available to anyone, while others are for AARP members only. The bonus? Online games can help keep your mind sharp.
