AARP
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is an interest group in the United States focusing on issues affecting those over the age of fifty. The organization, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., said it had more than 38 million members as of 2018. The magazine and bulletin it sends to its members are the two largest-circulation publications in the United States.
Some of the key events about AARP
- 1958Founded as the American Association of Retired Persons to promote independence, dignity, and purpose for older Americans
- 1963Launched its first group health insurance program for members
- 1978Faced criticism for opposing mandatory retirement age legislation
- 1984Established the AARP Foundation to provide charitable assistance to vulnerable older Americans
- 1985Introduced the "55 Alive" driver safety program to help older drivers remain safe on the roads
- 1994Created the Andrus Foundation to fund research on aging-related issues
- 1994Sued for age discrimination by former employees
- 1999Criticized for endorsing insurance products that were deemed overpriced
- 2001Launched the "Divided We Fail" campaign to address health care and financial security
- 2003Accused of misleading marketing practices for its pharmacy program
- 2006Faced backlash for supporting Medicare Part D despite member opposition
- 2007Introduced "Create the Good," an initiative to connect volunteers with community service opportunities
- 2009Criticized for supporting health care reform that some members opposed
- 2010Supported the passage of the Affordable Care Act to improve healthcare access for older Americans
- 2011Accused of inflating membership numbers for political influence
- 2012Launched the "Life Reimagined" program to help people navigate life transitions
- 2013Faced scrutiny for high executive salaries despite non-profit status
- 2017Criticized for opposing drug pricing reforms that could benefit seniors
- 2018Introduced "Disrupt Aging," a multiyear initiative to challenge outdated beliefs about aging
- 2020Accused of prioritizing insurance sales over member advocacy during pandemic
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.