Celebrating AARP's 65th Anniversary

This Saturday, July 1, will mark AARP’s 65th anniversary. On this date in 1958, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus filed the Certificate of Incorporation for the American Association of Retired Persons (now AARP) as a voluntary, nongovernmental, nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Much of what we do has been shaped by the people who came before us—particularly our visionary founder.

We challenge the notion that chronological age is a determinant of your life stage and will showcase the role AARP has played in improving the quality of life for all as they age in America and throughout the world.

AARP was founded on the simple premise that no one should have to live in a chicken coop. The discovery of a former teacher living in poverty inspired our founder to devote the rest of her years to empowering all people to age with independence, dignity and purpose.

Turning 65 is considered a major life milestone and a time of transition. Not only was it once considered standard retirement age (though as we know, for a growing number of people, that’s no longer the case), but it’s also the time to think seriously about Medicare, Social Security and how you want to live as you age. 

As AARP reaches 65 years, we view this milestone not as a time to “retire” and rest on our laurels, but to look ahead and build on our accomplishments. Thanks to the foundation laid by Dr. Andrus, AARP remains up to the task and looks forward to empowering future generations to choose how they live as they age.