Who Told AARP About My Birthday?
I recently had a birthday. It was one of those milestone events. I am now middle-aged.
Before the celebrations even died down, I received a most unexpected invitation from AARP (ostensibly, the American Association of Retired Persons — but their website doesn't confirm that). Someone must of told them that I turned 50 and now they want me to join. Imagine that! Me, hobnobbing with retirees! This really irks me — on multiple levels.
Firstly, although I understand it is quite easy to buy and append personal information to a prospect's name, especially things like age and address, I object to it being done to me. I know, "everyone does it," but that doesn't make it right. The only people who should know it's my birthday are my family and everyone who reads this blog (which, incidentally, includes most of my family).
Secondly, having just entered the realm of middle-agedness, I am a long way from retiring. Even if I desired to retire at 65, which I don't, I have another fifteen years in front of me. But AARP wants to pull me into premature retirement. I have too many things to do to retire. The only reason I would ever retire is if I can't do anything else.
Lastly, by having 50 year-olds join, AARP expands their membership, thereby pretending to represent a larger group of retirees than they actually do. This also serves to give anecdotal evidence of an inflated retiree populace. It would be much like me starting an organization for teenagers and then redefining a teenager to be anyone between the ages of 10 and 25. How ludicrous!
Anyway, if you're the one who told AARP that I turned 50, please let them know I'm not interested — but they can check back when I turn 100.
Before the celebrations even died down, I received a most unexpected invitation from AARP (ostensibly, the American Association of Retired Persons — but their website doesn't confirm that). Someone must of told them that I turned 50 and now they want me to join. Imagine that! Me, hobnobbing with retirees! This really irks me — on multiple levels.
Firstly, although I understand it is quite easy to buy and append personal information to a prospect's name, especially things like age and address, I object to it being done to me. I know, "everyone does it," but that doesn't make it right. The only people who should know it's my birthday are my family and everyone who reads this blog (which, incidentally, includes most of my family).
Secondly, having just entered the realm of middle-agedness, I am a long way from retiring. Even if I desired to retire at 65, which I don't, I have another fifteen years in front of me. But AARP wants to pull me into premature retirement. I have too many things to do to retire. The only reason I would ever retire is if I can't do anything else.
Lastly, by having 50 year-olds join, AARP expands their membership, thereby pretending to represent a larger group of retirees than they actually do. This also serves to give anecdotal evidence of an inflated retiree populace. It would be much like me starting an organization for teenagers and then redefining a teenager to be anyone between the ages of 10 and 25. How ludicrous!
Anyway, if you're the one who told AARP that I turned 50, please let them know I'm not interested — but they can check back when I turn 100.
Posted by Peter DeHaan at 1/24/2008 7:24 PM 
Categories: Marketing, Rant, Humor
Tags: AARP Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
Categories: Marketing, Rant, Humor
Tags: AARP Peter DeHaan blog author Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan Musings Musings of Peter DeHaan
Sorry you were offended! Actually, more than half of AARP's members are under 65, which is why we are now *formerly* the American Association of Retired People. AARP is not solely about retirement or even preparing for retirement, it's about living well after 50.
Anyways, hope you'll reconsider before 100!
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From the American Association of Young People:
We regret that our sister organization tries to remain relevant by lowering their membership age.
The AARP did this under great protest from the AAYP. However, the AAMP (American Association of Middle-aged People) refused to take a side, hence the current impasse.
Personally, it is my hope that our 3 organizations can all benefit from knowing great people like you. In the future, Lord willing, we will merge to become the AAP (American Association of People).
The AAP. How apt.
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I totally agree with you, Peter! We started getting solicitations from them as soon as we turned 50 last month. If I can keep my husband from throwing them away, I will make my own extra special mailing back to them. I have to wonder if I can stop them as easily as other junk mail though. Most junk mail does not come from folks who have my birthdate. I would not be surprised if they have all our s.s. numbers as well. Maybe they get their database straight from the Social Security office?
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To read more posts about AARP, click on the AARP tag
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