6 Little-Known Perks of an AARP Membership

It's not all blue plate specials.

What do you picture when you think of an AARP membership? Chances are it involves silver-haired seniors, early-bird specials, and hotel discounts.

Well, there are a few things wrong with that picture. To start, you don't need to be a senior to qualify for an AARP membership. Any adult can join for just $16 a year.

Additionally, there's a whole lot more to an AARP membership than simply travel discounts -- though those can be extremely useful (especially when paired with a good travel rewards credit card). You can find a wide range of resources and deals that can easily make up that small annual fee -- and then some. Here are just a few of the lesser-known AARP perks.

1. Rewards

Those who have a little free time can join the AARP Rewards program. Here, you can take quizzes, watch finance videos, or play online games to earn rewards points. Then, turn those points into discounted gift cards, entries for exclusive sweepstakes, and other prizes.

2. Career tools

Your AARP membership comes with a wide range of career and job tools. For example, you can access the AARP JobBoard, which is designed specifically for workers aged 50-plus.

Need to spiff up your resume before you start your search? The AARP Resume Advisor can give your resume a free review so you put your best foot forward. You can also give your skills a boost through the AARP Skills Builder for Work.

If you'd rather work for yourself, AARP has resources for that, too. You can learn everything from how to write a business plan to how to find start-up funding.

3. Free online entertainment

If you're feeling a little bored and looking for something fun to do, AARP can help. To start, members can play a variety of free online games and puzzles. This includes a daily crossword, popular Atari games, and classics like solitaire.

When you're feeling social, head to the AARP Virtual Community Center with free online events and classes.

For those who like their entertainment a little less interactive, access AARP's library of digital content. Watch curated videos, enjoy a variety of podcasts, or read exclusive AARP entertainment articles.

Of course, there's also a variety of special discounts you can get with your membership for more savings on entertainment. Get deals on movie tickets through Regal or concert and show tickets through Ticketmaster. You can even access a host of discounts for other activities, including golf, bowling, and theme parks.

4. Vision and dental insurance

No matter how great your regular health insurance is, it may still be lacking when it comes to vision and dental coverage. With an AARP membership, you can access exclusive insurance plans, including:

• AARP® Dental Insurance Plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company
• AARP® MyVision Care provided through EyeMed

You can also qualify for discounts on eyewear and even exams through EyeMed, LensCrafters, and Target Optical.

5. Insurance discounts

Besides health-related insurance savings, you can also save on other types of insurance with your AARP membership. If you're looking for a life insurance plan, for example, AARP has a variety of AARP cobranded plans from New York Life.

And that's just the start. Members can explore exclusive plans on both homeowners insurance and renters insurance. Plus, find plans to cover all of your vehicles, from regular auto insurance to motorcycle, golf cart, and even boat insurance.

AARP hasn't forgotten your furry family members, either. Those who have pets can save on pet insurance through Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance, receiving up to 10% off pet insurance premiums for life.

6. The AARP Mastercards

You don't technically need an AARP membership to be eligible for one of the cards. However, the cards can be beneficial for those who want an AARP membership. Specifically, you can use your rewards to pay for your own membership or to gift a membership to a friend. Additionally, if you have one of these cards, 1% of your purchases will be donated to the AARP Foundation.

The AARP® Essential Rewards Mastercard® is the more interesting of two, as it earns bonus cash back on gas, drug store, and medical purchases. That latter category is very uncommon and could be useful to those who have regular medical appointments.

The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard® is a fairly standard no annual fee travel rewards card. Its bonus categories include airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, and restaurants.

With so many perks to an AARP membership, it's actually kind of amazing that it costs less than $20 a year. Between the discounts, tools, and resources, it's easy for most people to get their money's worth -- and then some -- from a membership.