With over 35 million members, AARP is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in the United States. Membership in AARP is open to any person age 50 or above. With 25 percent of the U.S. population in the 50+ category, nearly half of all people in this age bracket are AARP members. 44 percent of AARP members work part time or full time. For these reasons, AARP shortened its name in 1999 from the American Association of Retired Persons to just four letters: AARP. The median age of AARP members is 65, and slightly more than half of them are women. To help achieve its mission of addressing the needs and interests of persons 50 and older, AARP is organized into a central headquarters, located in Washington, D.C., allowing staff and volunteer leaders access to the federal government. National headquarters coordinates the activities of the field operations and state offices, and provides support to the chapters, which are separately incorporated groups that provide members with opportunities to come together to volunteer in their own communities. The Association`s state level presence creates and enhances volunteer and community service opportunities; identifies areas of AARP`s legislative concern and advocates for positive change; and supports volunteers and staff as they work toward accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Association and its members.