What the AARP website offers

The AARP website (aarp.org) is a free resource for people 50 and older. It contains articles, guides, and tools about health, money, caregiving, work, and daily life. You do not need to be an AARP member to read most of the content — membership is separate from the website itself.

The site is organized by topic, so you can search for information about a specific condition, financial question, or life change. Articles are written for people new to a subject, and many include step-by-step explanations of how things work. You can also find state-specific information about programs and resources in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP.org is free to use and does not require membership; most articles and guides are open to anyone.
  • The site covers health conditions, Medicare, Social Security, caregiving, housing, work, and money management with plain-language explanations.
  • You can search by topic or browse by category, and many articles include checklists and questions to ask your doctor.
  • State-specific pages show programs and resources available where you live, which vary by location.
  • The site also offers interactive tools like calculators for retirement planning and benefits estimators.

How to find information by topic

The AARP homepage has a search box at the top where you can type a condition, program name, or question. For example, you could search "Medicare Part D" or "arthritis" or "caregiver support." The search returns articles ranked by relevance, with the most recent and most-read results first.

If you prefer to browse instead of search, the main navigation menu organizes content into sections: Health, Money, Work & Careers, and Caregiving. Within each section, you can narrow further — for example, the Health section includes subsections for specific conditions, medications, and wellness topics. Each subsection lists articles from newest to oldest.

Finding resources in your state

AARP maintains state-by-state pages that list programs, agencies, and local resources. To find yours, look for the "States" link in the footer of any AARP page, or search "AARP [your state name]." The state page shows resources for Medicare counseling, housing information, caregiver support, and other services available where you live.

Because programs and may be able to access rules vary by state, the information on your state page is more accurate than general national information. If an article mentions a program you are interested in, check your state page to see whether it operates in your area and how to reach it.

Using AARP's health and medical guides

AARP publishes detailed guides on common health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and dementia. These guides explain what the condition is, what symptoms to watch for, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatment options exist. They are written for people newly diagnosed or for family members supporting someone who is.

Many health guides include a section called "Questions to Ask Your Doctor" — a list of specific things to discuss at your next appointment. Some also include checklists for tracking symptoms or managing medications. These tools are meant to help you prepare for conversations with your healthcare provider, not to replace them.

Money and benefits information

The Money section covers Social Security, Medicare, pensions, retirement savings, and financial planning. AARP also publishes guides about programs that may help pay for healthcare, housing, or utilities if your income is low. These guides explain how each program works, what it costs, and how to reach the organization that runs it.

The site includes calculators for estimating your Social Security benefit, comparing Medicare plans, and planning retirement spending. These tools use the information you enter to show estimates — they do not submit anything to the government or sign you up for anything. You can use them to explore "what if" scenarios before you make decisions.

Caregiving resources and support

If you are caring for a parent, spouse, or other family member, the Caregiving section has guides on managing specific health conditions, handling finances for someone else, and finding respite care. AARP also publishes information about family leave laws, workplace accommodations for caregivers, and how to talk to your employer about your situation.

The site includes a caregiver assessment tool that asks questions about your current situation and suggests resources based on your answers. You can also find local caregiver support groups and counseling services through the state pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to use AARP.org?

No. Most articles and guides on AARP.org are free and do not require membership. Some premium content is available only to AARP members, but the majority of health, money, and caregiving information is open to everyone.

Is the information on AARP.org current?

AARP updates articles when laws or programs change, and the publication date is shown at the top of each article. However, rules for government programs like Medicare and Social Security change frequently. Always check the official government website (Medicare.gov, SSA.gov) for the most current information about benefits and important date.

Can I print articles or save them to read later?

Yes. Most AARP articles have a print button near the top. You can also save articles to your browser's reading list or bookmark them. Some browsers allow you to save pages as PDFs so you can read them offline.

What if I cannot find what I am looking for?

Try searching a different way — use simpler words, or search for a related topic. For example, if searching "arthritis pain" returns too many results, try just "arthritis." You can also contact AARP directly through their website for help finding specific information.

Does AARP.org have information in languages other than English?

Some articles are available in Spanish. Look for a language selector on the page, or search "AARP Spanish" to find translated content. Not all articles are translated, so availability varies by topic.