The good news is that more businesses than ever before are trying to appeal to the over 50 crowd. I never thought that being over 50 years old as being part of the senior generation. That is the age when AARP starts sending out their membership packets. I through them in the trash can for five years. Then one day someone in a video rental store said he thought I was entitled to a discount due to my age. Hmm, did I look that old? Oh well, they gave me a 25% discount on VHS rentals so why not accept this opportunity? That is when I joined AARP.
AARP does send out an entertaining magazine and newsletter so there is a benefit. AARP did work with President Bush on the drug plan for Medicare and that seems to have lowered the cost (at price to the government) so perhaps they do help seniors. I do obtain lower rates at hotels when I travel thanks to AARP and used the “AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia” to get a good deal on our trip to Toronto last June.
A little investigation showed that my Auto Club insurance is cheaper than insurance offered through AARP and the Auto Club’s life insurance is much cheaper too. That is the case in California. Now I found this article published by Bloomberg that confirms my worst concerns about the organization.
AARP is not a bad or dishonest group. They are just not as good as they want all the older Americans (Canadians too) to believe.
Coast Contact 