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Frequently Asked Questions

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How can AARP Funds help me save for retirement?
The AARP Conservative, Moderate, and Aggressive Funds are designed to take the guesswork out of investing. By putting everything you may need in one fund, and rebalancing it for you on a regular basis, we've tried to design a simpler, easier, and less costly way for you to invest.
If an investment is sold for rebalancing purposes, it may be subject to taxes. Rebalancing in the AARP funds will mean changing the mix of the underlying portfolios to return to a fund's target asset mix. This will usually mean that securities will be bought and sold in the underlying portfolios.
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What other investment goals can AARP Funds help me reach?
In addition to investing for retirement, AARP Funds can help you reach a wide range of mid- to long-term goals, including investing for a child or grandchild's education.
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Why does AARP Financial offer five funds?
Our research has shown that having too many mutual fund choices can be overwhelming, making it difficult to manage risk, ensure proper diversification and be confident that all of your investments are working toward a common goal. Owning one diversified mutual fund that includes stocks and bonds is a smart choice for investors. The AARP Funds — Conservative, Moderate and Aggressive — are designed to be a complete portfolio in one fund. The AARP Money Market Fund and AARP Income Fund offer additional benefits to investors.
An investment in the AARP Money Market Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at a $1.00 share price, it is possible to lose money by investing in the AARP Money Market Fund.
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Do I have to be a member of AARP to invest in one of the AARP Funds?
No, you do not have to be a member of AARP. Anyone who is a U.S. resident with a social security number can generally invest in AARP Funds.
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Who manages the Funds?
AARP Financial Incorporated is the investment adviser for the funds and the underlying portfolios that the funds invest in, providing oversight of the subadviser and ensuring that the funds and portfolios are managed according to their stated objectives. SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (SSgA FM) is the investment sub-adviser for the funds and the underlying portfolios. SSgA FM has general responsibility for investing the assets of the funds, handling day-to-day investment decisions for the funds. You can also read the prospectus and statement of additional information for additional information about the funds' managers.
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What are the advantages of investing in the Funds?
Each fund is designed to be a complete investment program providing medium- to long-term investors with all the investments they may need. The funds are designed with our five time-tested principles in mind: low costs, indexing, diversification, rebalancing and simple choices.
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What are index funds?
Index funds are often low-cost mutual funds that seek to mirror the performance of the broader markets they represent. An index fund holds all (or a representative sample) of the stocks or bonds that are included in a particular index. The purpose of the fund is to mimic the performance of that index before the deduction of fees and expenses. Learn more about index funds.
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Why is diversification important?
Diversification means spreading your investments among different asset classes, such as stocks and bonds. It also means having exposure to a large number of different companies so that your investment success isn't dependent on a single company or sector of the market. Learn more about diversification.

Diversification reduces risk but does not eliminate it.
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What is rebalancing?
Rebalancing helps you maintain your target asset allocation among stocks and bonds. Rebalancing means that when one asset class exceeds its target, you sell a portion of that asset class and buy more of the asset class that has fallen below its target. Learn more about rebalancing.

^ The sale of an investment for the purpose of rebalancing may be subject to taxes.

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Do I have any control over rebalancing in the Fund?
AARP Funds are regularly rebalanced to help them maintain their diversification and control risk in the portfolios. When you invest in AARP Funds, we handle the rebalancing for you.
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What are the risks of investing in the Funds?
All investments involve some risk, including the AARP Funds. There is no guarantee of the funds' performance. You should expect that the value of your investment in a fund may go up or down, because the values of all investments do that. You might lose money if you invest in the funds, or make less money than you expect or hope. Learn more about the funds' risks.
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How can I learn more about the Funds?
You can read more about the funds in the Fund Facts section of this website, as well as download a prospectus to your home computer for easy viewing. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. You can also request information online, over the phone or by mail. Contact us.
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How can I buy a Fund?
You can buy a fund online, over the phone, by mail or by electronic transfer. See How to Buy for more details.
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The mutual funds described in this site are sold only to U.S. residents.

An Investment in the Funds involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the AARP Funds carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Funds. To get a prospectus containing this and other information, click here (PDF) or call 1-866-218-6142. Read it carefully before you invest.

While AARP has licensed the use of its name to AARP Funds and endorses the services provided by AARP Financial Inc., AARP does not offer financial products or services itself and cannot recommend that you or any specific individual should purchase any particular product or service. AARP Financial Inc. is an investment adviser and a subsidiary of AARP.

The Financial Advisors are registered representatives of ALPS Distributors, Inc., a registered broker-dealer, and as investment adviser representatives of AARP Financial Inc., an investment adviser. AARP Financial Inc. offers investment advisory services and is not affiliated with ALPS Distributors, Inc.

AARP Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

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