Thanks for the article on AARP. It changed my view on them from a pure lobbying group, serving selfish interests, to one that has a powerful mission to help the lowest ladder of people who need help with housing,Income , and isolation.
I recently retired after 43 years in the retirement industry. I’m going to review their website to see if I can volunteer to help Jo Ann Jenkins with her mission.
4
I have a serious suggestion for AARP.
In the magazines, stop putting articles that talk about the exploitation of the elderly and how to protect yourself next to ads for quack cures, useless gadgets, and other expensive garbage. You may like the income, but most seniors don't have money to waste. And they trust you.
21
61 is old?! Please! They are a good organization, but must they incessantly bombard one’s mailbox with solicitations to join, when one reaches 50?! And I thought, only teenagers were obnoxious!
10
Thanks for your service. Just the same, I'll join when AARP stops aligning with the insurance industry.
9
They don’t align with the insurance industry, like the Knights of Columbus they were formed to sell insurance.
6
Thank you, Ms. Jenkins, for caring, and making a fine difference not only for AARP members with your endeavors as chief executive of the above organization, but for remembering those of us who will never be able to retire.
Here's to you and Mon Louis Island, wishing you many more splendid, if challenging dawns on your life travels.
4
I am not retired, but I joined AARP because I was impressed with them fighting for insurance and Social Security, which I expect to need someday. And I'm kind of a planner--I want to see what's coming and start working on them early.
Their focus on science-based health (like recommending vaccines), and actively combatting scammers with education and outreach, among other things has been really impressive to me.
My local has also had some really great events for free--lots of film openings, a sunset cruise--which I now realize is part of this effort to combat isolation, and now I'm even more impressed.
Go Jo!
8
As a former state board rep and a national volunteer, I have found AARP very disappointing relative to the needs of the LGBTQ senior populations.
The agency doesn't mind taking our dues but, there is no notable (proportional) support to our unique needs as constituents.
I noted a dramatic difference after Ms. Jenkens was hired.
Very sad and disappointed indeed!
2
What about older people who don't want to live and work longer? Does AARP support laws for assisted death with dignity?
What exactly does AARP do to support ongoing funds for Social Security and Medicare? What do they do to help seniors register to vote and get to polling places?
I joined AARP at age 50 but later quit because I never saw any real benefit to it. They allegedly have such a large group of Boomers eligible for membership but I don't see them using their voting power...
The only people I know who are members are only in it for the Medicare supplement...
14
While AARP may be popular with some people for discounts, a newsletter, some perks and other things, it has been a total, dismal failure when it came to doing anything about age discrimination in the private sector.
Age discrimination in private industry is today's discrimination against unions, blacks, women etc. back in the day. It is complete, total, accepted, institutionalized and ugly.
Seniors burn while AARP fiddles. I never joined it because of that and I would recommend others burn their membership cards until the AARP does something re this issue.
25
Ageism is one of the biggest issues for people who can't afford to retire. AARP should have sweeping campaigns encouraging hiring of individuals who are Ms. Jenkins' age and older.
24
Yes, older (>40) are largely social outcasts in a workplace with far less protection, rights, remedies and benefits than undocumented newcomers. Seems fair to me.
15
@A -Agreed . AARP should stand for AA for ripping off (working retired) People.
4
You might have mentioned that AARP has long been one of the leading opponents of single payer health care, and that AARP derives most of its income from its affiliation with one of the country's biggest private health insurance compaines, UnitedHealthcare.
I just wrote my Medicare Suppment and drug plan checks to AARP last night.
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@Norman
Exactly, which is one reason I never joined. My more affluent retirees always pushed me to join but every time I looked around on their site or read their newsletters, it was clear to me that AARP were for retirees who retired "well" and had money to spend. AARP has never done a thing for me or anyone I know who's in my financial situation, regardless of their incessant claims of advocacy for older people.
16
Enjoyed her pension? Why do so many feel you need to retire? If you love what you do you never have to go to "work".
I'm 65 and I happen to possess some unusually strong skills in my field of endeavour. 6 months ago I signed on to a 10-year agreement to accomplish more.
I LOVE what I do and I put in an approximate 60 to 70 hour week. Will my health hold up? Who knows. But I do know this... I get the opportunity to get up 5 days a week and build a business even further. All my so-called "hero's" are still doing their thing in their chosen fields and they're in their 70's and even 80's.
I understand there may be a need to lay back if you have health issues. Other than that my recommendation is to find something you love to do, and you too will never have to go to work! Don't go through life waiting for retirement day to arrive. How sad is that?
12
@Billy Walker
"To each his own". Many are doing what they love, and it isn't work. You seem to think work is the be all and end all of fulfillment. There are those who would find that sad also.
7