AARP has been the go-to Senior Adult Association since the late 50s. It has been an advocate for and provided much education, help, and discounts for the over 50 bunch. I am glad that an organization has tried to stand up for the older generations.
So, just as a disclaimer, this is not a hit piece on the AARP. Some conservatives would like me to really rip AARP, but that’s not the purpose of this website. However, I can’t write this without mentioning the fact that the AARP organization has had many people in the over 50 categories who have increasingly disagreed with their positions on political issues, As result, quite a few other organizations have started trying to compete with AARP.
Since I believe in a free market and competition, I think that is a good thing. But, in numbers, at around 40 million, no other senior organization touches AARP. Their scope of discounts, advice, and policy advocacy in Washington is quite massive.
I thought we would take a look at just a few of the senior associations:
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AARP – Like we said, no one touches them in size and scope. Their reach is fairly profound. They have many discounts withvarious businesses. The rise of some of the other associations was due to the AARP’s support of the Affordable Care Act. They are reported to have lost about 300,000 members due to their advocacy for what is termed ObamaCare. However, with their massive numbers, now close to 40 million, that probably didn’t hurt them much. Other more conservative seniors have been upset with AARP on a number of social issues seemingly supported by AARP. Some of their writings and political advocacy seemed to be too progressive and left-leaning in nature for some in the over 50 camp. However, AARP still stands as a very strong Senior Association.
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AMAC – AMAC (Association of Mature American Citizens). AMAC was founded by Dan Weber, a family business owner in NewYork, who felt that the other 50 and over organizations were left-leaning and didn’t represent his views. So, AMAC is promoted as a conservative, non-partisan organization with the goal of representing viewpoints they believe are not represented by some other senior organizations. Although indications are that they only have about 1.1 million members compared to AARP’s 40 million, they have come on stronger than some of the other organizations in the last few years. They offer many discount programs as well, although seemingly not as in-depth as AARP.
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CAP (Christian Association of PrimeTimers) CAP was founded to fundamentally display Christian values in which they thought other organizations were not doing. It has been stated that they were to be the Christian alternative to AARP. They have retirement and savings plans, and discounts at Today’s Christian Living online Store, access to and/or discounts for home care service. They provide many other things that AARP and AMAC provide. They are overtly Christian in their stances and public policy advocacy. The numbers of members are unreported.
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CSA(Christian Seniors Association) – another organization that was originally founded in response to what it saw as troubling issues in social security. They expanded to cover issues concerning Christian and Conservative Concerns. Their membership numbers are unknown.
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NAOCS (National Association of Conservative Seniors). This is another organization founded to provide a better voice for seniors in America and uphold Conservative values. It strongly promotes the value of military service, small businesses, strong families and focuses on faith-based living. Like the other organizations, they offer a range of benefits to their members.
There are others, and most were started to combat the notion that AARP has moved too far to the left with their political advocacy in Washington.
These organizations will provide value in terms of discounts and other valuable perks of being a member. Most organizations are only $15-16 dollars per year so just a few of the discounts will easily let you recoup your investment in the organization.
I’m writing just to tell you to check out the organization you support, if any, and see if it is where you want to send your money. If it is, then choose yours and go for it. The discounts can really be helpful. Plus, some people join more than one organization to gain multiple discount offers.
Each of the above sections has links to the organization’s homepage so you can do your own research. For me, I have chosen AMAC as my group of choice for now, and we will see what will happen in the future. But, you choose what you feel best. Or, none at all!
Thanks,
Brian