## Overview The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to serving the needs and interests of Americans aged 50 and older, whether they are working or retired[4]. With over 38 million members, AARP is the largest organization of its kind in the United States[4]. Its mission is to enhance quality of life by promoting independence, dignity, and purpose for older adults, while also addressing their financial security, health, and engagement in society[3]. ## History AARP was founded in 1958 by Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, a retired educator and principal who had previously established the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) in 1947[1][2]. Andrus was moved to action after discovering retired teachers living in poverty, unable to afford adequate housing or health insurance—a common plight before Medicare’s introduction in 1965[2]. Unable to secure private insurance for older adults, Andrus partnered with insurance broker Leonard Davis to create the first group health insurance plan for people over 65, which became the cornerstone of AARP’s offerings[1][2]. The organization quickly expanded beyond educators to serve all retirees, offering not only insurance but also advocacy, community programs, and educational initiatives[1][3]. ## Key Achievements AARP’s early innovations included the first group health insurance plan for seniors, a pioneering mail-order pharmacy service, and the launch of *Modern Maturity* (now *AARP The Magazine*), which remains the highest-circulation magazine in the U.S.[3][5]. The organization has consistently advocated for policy changes benefiting older Americans, such as the creation of Medicare and Social Security reforms[2]. AARP also developed community-based programs in areas like crime prevention, defensive driving, adult education, and consumer affairs[4]. Its Institute of Lifetime Learning promotes the idea that education should be a