When you think of AARP, you probably imagine retirees enjoying early bird specials or clipping coupons for medications.
But lately, something unexpected is happening. Millennials and Gen Z are signing up for AARP memberships. Not as a joke, but as a smart money move. And yes, it’s trending on TikTok.
How AARP became a money-saving hack
Here’s a little-known fact: AARP membership is open to anyone 18 and older. That means you don’t have to wait until you’re eligible for senior discounts to reap the rewards.
At $15 a year (or $11.25 with automatic renewal), membership offers discounts on everything from travel and restaurants to cell phone plans and subscriptions like Walmart+ or Calm.
Tip: If you join AARP through Swagbucks, you earn a $6 cashback reward. (If you’re not a member, it takes about 30 seconds to sign up. You can cash out a free gift card with at least $5 in rewards.)
Thanks to TikTok creators like @CityCouponMom, @DealCheats, and @zacharyburrabe the secret is out. Younger people are sharing how AARP has helped them save on everything from rental cars to flights to eating out.
One viral video from @zacharyburrabe, who signed up at age 34, even generated 150,000 sign-ups. And let’s be honest—now that TikTok is alive and well again (thanks to certain political figures staging a comeback), trends and hacks are traveling fast and furious.
My AARP journey during the coupon craze
Years ago, I decided to join AARP. It was during my extreme couponing phase. At the time, I was working in digital marketing at Target, helping launch the now-beloved Target Circle (formerly Cartwheel) app. My life revolved around meticulously planning shopping trips and organizing spreadsheets to maximize savings.
Naturally competitive (and wont to chase a pound of prevention for an ounce of cure), I signed up for AARP to get an “edge.” And while I used some discounts for online shopping, I’ll admit I wasn’t an enthusiastic user. I was in my ironic hipster phase, so joining AARP felt like a funny experiment—but also slightly too real. Juggling my already elaborate coupon strategy left me with little energy to make the most of it.
Why do some people hesitate to join AARP?
Curious about how others under 50 felt about AARP, I asked around. I targeted my demographic: those in the age 35-44 bucket.
Many shared stories of laughing at the AARP mailings they received. Some used the idea of joining as a joke or even a playful jab at their aging partners.
But I wonder: Is there a touch of age-related vanity at play?
As 50 looms nearer now than it did in my 20s, the idea of aligning with a group associated with people sporting walkers, canes, and dentures feels a bit too much.
A 25-year-old presenting their AARP card?
Hilarious.
They’re clearly “not old” and insouciant to the vagaries of time and gravity.
But with greys at my temple, I fall into the age-ambiguous bucket. Young teen boys have told me, “Damn you look. For your age.”
I really don’t want to garnish that silver-tongued compliment with an old-person card.
And yet those benefits speak for themselves. Do I want to let vanity keep me from saving hundreds of dollars a year?
Why AARP is trending now
So why are younger generations embracing AARP in 2025? It may be a perfect storm of rising inflation, social media, and financial awareness.
Grocery bills, flights, and dining out all cost more than ever, and AARP offers an easy way to cut costs. Whether it’s $20 off Walmart+, $10 off an AT&T bill, or 35% off a rental car, the savings quickly add up.
And then there’s TikTok. The platform has transformed financial advice (#Fintok) into shareable entertainment, making AARP’s benefits suddenly seem approachable and even trendy. Combine that with a younger audience increasingly focused on financial independence, and you’ve got the makings of a viral moment.
Should I join AARP? Worth it?
For $15 a year, AARP can pay for itself after just one or two uses. I’m going to peel through the offers for my ZIP code (aggravatingly buried in the site). Some of the family outings could pay for the card after one use.
And more generally speaking, the membership is ideal for travelers, diners, and deal-seekers who want to stretch their budgets — aka not throw away free money that the AARP has negotiated on behalf of pulse-beating human beings aged 18 or older.
Beyond discounts, AARP’s advocacy for issues like Social Security and caregiving makes it an organization with broader relevance — benefitting my family now and me in a few years when my kids foist me off to Shady Pines.
Final thoughts
If you’ve ever dismissed AARP as something for retirees, think again. Younger people are discovering that saving money isn’t just a necessity—it’s empowering.
Whether you’re a TikTok aficionado, a financially savvy millennial, or someone who’s only considering this because your partner dared you, there’s no reason to shy away from that red-and-white card.
Maybe, like me, you’ll join during a budget-obsessed phase of your life. Or maybe you’re just ready to save a few bucks on your next trip. Either way, AARP is no longer just for your grandparents — it’s for anyone who values a good deal.
So under-fifty-somethings: Embrace the AARP vibe. Go forth and conquer those discounts. (And along the way, throw a little shade at boomer in your life too age-vain to join.)
Join AARP today and see how much you can save.
