The website of AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired People) states "AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age".
However, many people think AARP has significant conflicts of interests with its members. Read more and decide for yourself.
"How AARP Shills for UnitedHealthcare"
December 11, 2024
"AARP has just under 38 million members. But AARP is basically an insurance marketing scheme masquerading as an advocacy group for the elderly. For 27 years, UnitedHealth has been the co-branded choice of AARP. If you are looking for a supplemental policy to conventional Medicare, or a Medicare Advantage product, or a Medicare drug insurance policy, AARP will steer you to UnitedHealth. And only to UnitedHealth."
Full article: How AARP Shills for UnitedHealthcare
From: The American Prospect
"AARP Has Forgotten Whom It Represents"
July 5, 2023
"AARP is supposed to be a public advocate for older Americans, championing policies that improve their quality of life and stopping those that would adversely affect them. But instead, its actions and priorities increasingly seem more aligned with its corporate financial partners. There is no greater example of AARP’s lost purpose than its determined political lobbying to push the Inflation Reduction Act through Congress."
Full article: AARP Has Forgotten Whom It Represents
From: DC Journal
"OPINION: The AARP-UnitedHealth-Democrat combine"
June 13, 2023
"Today’s AARP, formerly called the American Association of Retired Persons, is not a seniors advocacy group. It is a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate that brings in money from the nation’s largest health insurer: UnitedHealth."
Full article: OPINION: The AARP-UnitedHealth-Democrat combine
From: IVP Press Online
"Opinion: Is AARP putting profits over the interests of its members?"
March 4, 2023
"According to a new report, what the group seems to be may not be what it is. 'How AARP Puts Profits over Patients and Principles,' issued by a conservative nonprofit called American Commitment, says that rather than being a genuine grassroots lobby organization, AARP’s ties to the health insurance industry have turned into something like a corporate influence operation working to sway the decisions of Capitol Hill lawmakers."
Full article: Opinion: Is AARP putting profits over the interests of its members?
From: Peter Roff via Las Vegas Review Journal
"Whom Does AARP Really Represent?"
February 23, 2023
"Though the group boasts 38 million senior citizens as its members, it’s not clear how many of its positions benefit America’s retirees. But AARP certainly serves as a useful lobbying arm for the health-insurance industry, particularly health conglomerate UnitedHealth."
Full article: Whom Does AARP Really Represent?
From: National Review
"Whom Does AARP Serve?"
August 4, 2022
"The seniors group for years has been selling AARP-branded Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, for which they get royalty payouts. According to public filings, AARP took in more than $1 billion from royalty payments in 2020, and past disclosures suggest at least 65% of that comes from its United Health relationship. These royalty amounts now significantly dwarf what AARP receives from membership dues."
Full article: Whom Does AARP Serve?
From: Wall Street Journal
"AARP’s Billion-Dollar Bounty"
June 6, 2022
"AARP’s 2020 financial statement, the latest available, reports just over $1 billion in royalties. That’s more than three times what it collected in member dues, just over $300 million, according to the report. Of the royalties, $752 million were from unnamed health products and services."
Full article: AARP’s Billion-Dollar Bounty
From: KFF Health News
"Behind The Veil: The AARP America Doesn’t Know"
January 2021
"The new arrangements with insurance companies create a tremendous number of potential conflicts for AARP, which is a powerhouse, perceived as the most important voice for older people. AARP will not be perceived as a truly independent advocate on Medicare if it's making hefty profits by selling insurance products that provide Medicare Coverage" Marilyn Moon, Former AARP Executive
Full article: Behind The Veil: The AARP America Doesn’t Know
From: House Ways and Means Committee
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