I think AARP has morphed over the past 5-10 years from a membership organization with benefits to an insurance sales front that manages to con people into paying to get on their prospect list. Its lobbying the U.S. government about prescription drug benefits was a clear case of putting its economic self-interest ahead of the best interests of most older people. AARP still has a few benefits, but not enough to get me to renew my membership after dropping it five years or so ago. (Hotel government rates are usually better than AARP rates, so I don't look at that part of the picture much these days - but I wasn't a government employee when I dropped my membership.)

YMMV, of course. If it works for you, go for it. If it doesn't, you'll know within a year or so, so not much harm done.