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Nancie Clare I’m Too Young to Join AARP, I Swear
Nancie Clare I’m Too Young to Join AARP, I Swear| I’m Too Young to Join AARP, I Swear |
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I can understand why the American Association of Retired Persons is the biggest lobbying organization in the US – they are relentless in their efforts to lasso every citizen (and I’ll bet non-citizens get solicitations too) over the age of 50 into joining. Yep, the barrage starts in the twilight of your 40s. You’ve just reconciled yourself to entering middle-age, for heaven’s sake, when that blasted envelope inviting you to join your fellow geezers-in-training lands in the mailbox. As a matter of fact, the arrival of that envelope was as shocking to me as the actual event of turning the half-century mark. And the entireties to join just keep on coming. There’s only one problem: I don’t want to join. For one, I’m not retired. And considering the state of my retirement savings, I will never be able to retire. Second, the AARP is for my parents – who are retired – you know, as in old people. I’m not old. I refuse to believe I’m old. Although in my heart of hearts, I know I’m getting old fast. And lastly, AARP can’t do anything for me. Yes, AARP offers great Medicare supplement insurance, but I’m more than a decade away from being old enough to qualify for the federal government's health insurance plan. If AARP wants to attract younger geezers-in-training like me, they should figure out how they can sell group health insurance to all of us who have been downsized and can’t qualify for individual health insurance policies at any price because they have a history of hay fever. (Think I’m kidding? I was turned down for an individual health insurance policy because I suffer from seasonal allergies.) As far as I can tell the only thing AARP can do for me right now is remind me I’m getting older – I can do that myself. See you when I’m 65! Comments (9)
Waaaay too young
written by Heather, July 23, 2008
Hey that's ok, I'm 36 and I just got my invitation. I mean, do they let you join that young?
AARP is too old school for current conditions
written by carol, August 03, 2008
I agree about the insurance issues. Those in the 40s and 50s are caught in a bind, in that the majority [most of them] cannot retire. To me it's a joke to be getting solicitations from a retirement organization when I'm getting ready to go back and work on a Ph.D [at 47] and anticipate probably working into my 70s [I can't even retire on SS with full benefits until age 67 anyhow].
I think the AARP is an old school organization that was created under the conditions of post WW II, when the WWII and post WW II generations anticipated retiring at 50 or 55 with company pensions and such. Now people get downsized or companies simply do not offer pensions. It's really silly and pandering of the AARP to consider they are doing middle year Americans a favor to get a small discount on car insurance or 'senior' coffee, when they don't even go near pensions, insurance or downsizing issues. I don't think it's doing middle year Americans any favor to force them to claim this 'senior' status when they really are not ready, especially in an age conscious society like the US.
I'm sorry I joined
written by Linda, August 13, 2008
I read their magazine in a waiting room and when I got my next flyer in the mail to join at 54 years of age, I joined. Am I sorry. I always received junk mail, but that is teeny tiny in comparison to the junk mail I get from them. insurance, health, travel, electronics, and its all in their envelopes. what junk mail. I'm so sorry I joined. They just seem to be a catalyst for salesman.
Never gonna join
written by Nancy, April 29, 2009
I am going to do everything in my power to stay healthy and fit and keep working until the day I die. I like to work. If I succeed, and don't retire, I don't join. I hope never to join AARP. I just sent them back their stupid birthday card - "Return to Sender - I am NOT retired."
Nancy
Relentless Pursuit
written by Karen, March 23, 2010
AARP have been relentless in their pursuit of me. I have been receiving junk mail from them since my mid-thirties! I just turned 45 and first, I DON'T look 45! Everyone think I am 30...I will NEVER be able to retire any time soon, since my company got rid our retirement plan! I will NEVER join until I think it's beneficial to me.
I'm only 47
written by Kathy, July 31, 2010
What a joke...I just recelved my first mailer from AARP. I am thankful for the information posted here!
Baby Boomer Demographics
written by Rumana Akter, August 09, 2010
To understand baby boomer demographics, one must look at the changes brought about in the 1960s when the first wave of boomers came of age.
Baby Boomer Demographics http://babyboomerdemographics.com/
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Nancie Clare
Nancie Clare is an editor/writer/web content producer (and card-carrying baby boomer) with more than 25 years experience writing about issues that impact everyday life. Nancie is a former managing editor of WomensWallStreet.com as well as a Daily Cents contributor and is currently consulting with a yet-to-be-launched social networking/content site for — you guessed it — baby boomers.
Honest, after the first shock, it's not so bad.