
AARP
The American Association of Retired Persons, commonly known by its acronym AARP, is America's leading organization for people aged fifty and older, providing member benefits, marketing services, and lobbying on their behalf. AARP also has many other initiatives, including promoting driver safety (AARP Driver Safety), producing television programming that targets seniors, and engaging in sponsorships that support social causes, such as raising awareness of and fighting hunger in America. Within the foundation operates AARP Experience Corps., which encourages tutoring and mentoring of children, and AARP Institute, which holds its gift annuity funds. **AARP Financial Services** holds AARP real estate and is for-profit. The American Association of Retired Persons, commonly known by its acronym AARP, is America's leading organization for people aged fifty and older, providing member benefits, marketing services, and lobbying on their behalf.

What Is AARP?
The American Association of Retired Persons, commonly known by its acronym AARP, is America's leading organization for people aged fifty and older, providing member benefits, marketing services, and lobbying on their behalf.
Founded in 1958 by retired educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus as the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association with a membership of more than 38 million.



How AARP Works
AARP provides information, education, research, advocacy, and community services through a nationwide network of local chapters and experienced volunteers. It focuses its work on consumer issues, economic security, work, health, and independent living issues, and engages in legislative, judicial, and consumer advocacy in these areas.
AARP is considered a powerful lobbying group as well as a successful business, selling life and health insurance, investment products, and other financial and non-financial services. It is also an independent publisher, offering Modern Maturity magazine and the monthly AARP Bulletin. AARP produced $1.70 billion in revenue in 2019, which came from a variety of endeavors, including advertising revenue from its publications, and from royalties for licensing its name and logo.
However, membership fees represent the most significant source of revenue. It is registered as a 501(c)(4) non-profit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which means it is permitted to engage in lobbying. It also administers some 501(c)(3) public charity operations while some of its other operations are for-profit.
AARP Affiliates
There are several AARP-affiliated organizations, and they include the following:
AARP also has many other initiatives, including promoting driver safety (AARP Driver Safety), producing television programming that targets seniors, and engaging in sponsorships that support social causes, such as raising awareness of and fighting hunger in America.
AARP manages outreach programs that address housing issues and social isolation among seniors. AARP has also initiated and managed programs that advocate for the strengthening of Social Security and Medicare.
Criticism of the AARP
AARP is one of the strongest lobbying groups in America, and because of its efforts, it often receives attention for exerting its influence in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals. Its non-profit operations also receive millions of dollars per year in the form of federal grants. Some argue that its positions fall into the more liberal part of the political spectrum.
Related terms:
501(c)
501(c) is a designation under the United States Internal Revenue Code that confers tax-exempt status to nonprofit organizations. read more
501(c)(3) Organization
A 501(c)(3) organization is a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Learn the requirements, costs, and pros and cons of setting up a 501(c)(3). read more
American Bankers Association (ABA)
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is the largest banking trade association in the United States, and it represents banks of all sizes. read more
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers is a global organization representing the leading commercial insurance agencies and brokerage firms. read more
Investment Product & Examples
An investment product is a product offered to the public based on an underlying security or group of securities that is purchased with the expectation of earning a favorable return. read more
What Is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the U.S. federal agency that oversees the collection of taxes—primarily income taxes—and the enforcement of tax laws. read more
Medicare
Medicare is a U.S. government program providing healthcare insurance to individuals 65 and older or those under 65 who meet eligibility requirements. read more
National Retail Federation (NRF)
The National Retail Federation (NRF) is made up of members from all phases of the retail industry in the United States and abroad. read more
Nonprofit Organization (NPO)
A nonprofit has tax-exempt status for furthering religious, scientific, charitable, educational, literary, public safety, or cruelty-prevention causes. read more