Key Dates in AARP History

1967: Fighting Age-Based Discrimination

With strong backing from AARP, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) is signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Dec. 15. It bans age-based discrimination against people age 40 to 65, including discrimination in hiring, wages, promotions and layoffs. This is an era in America when many help-wanted ads say there’s no need to apply if you’re age 55 or older.

Health & Wellness

AARP® Dental Insurance Plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company

Dental insurance plans for members and their families

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SMITH COLLECTION/GADO/ GETTY IMAGES

1973: Promoting the Study of Aging

The Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center opens at the University of Southern California, becoming the first school for gerontology a few years later in the form of Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at USC (Davis was a cofounder of AARP). Its ongoing mission: “to promote healthy aging for diverse individuals, communities and societies through leadership and innovation in research, education and practice.” 

AARP

1979: A Push for Driver Safety

AARP kicks off a new 55 Alive program to help older drivers stay independent, safe and confident while on the road. Now called Driver Safety, it’s the nation’s largest classroom/online driver-safety and driving-refresher program designed especially for drivers age 50 and older across the country.  

AARP

1982: Joining Forces

The National Retired Teacher's Association (NRTA), the organization Dr. Andrus founded in 1947 to address the needs of educators in retirement, merges with AARP on a national level. It becomes a division of AARP.

AARP

1984: Expanding its Reach

The membership age for AARP drops from 55 to 50. You can join at any age, however, whether you’re retired or not. AARP's core mission today: to empower people to choose how they live as they age.

JEFF ELKINS, AARP

2003: The Flagship Publication Evolves

Modern Maturity, AARP’s bimonthly magazine since 1958, is renamed AARP The Magazine. Today it’s the most-read magazine in the country, with more than 38 million readers, still championing our founder’s firm belief that being older is not a disability; it's an opportunity.