Organizations offer alternatives to AARP
Dear Savvy Senior: Can you recommend conservative membership organizations for older adults that offer discounts, too? AARP is too liberal for my liking. — Discount Seeking Conservative
Dear Conservative: AARP, with a membership of about 38 million, is by far the biggest and most powerful advocacy group for people age 50 and older, but millions of older Americans don’t like or agree with its stance on various issues. There are quite a few senior advocacy organizations promoting themselves as conservative alternatives to
AARP, and many offer membership benefits including discounts on travel, insurance, health care and more. Here’s some information.
American Association of Senior Citizens: Established in 1992, this nonprofit group was founded to lobby for issues it holds dear, namely free enterprise, fewer taxes and less government. Its priorities are to end the federal estate tax and preserve Social Security. Membership fees run $12, $24 or $48 per year, or $299 for a lifetime membership. They also offer discounts on travel and entertainment; cable, internet and satellite services; dental, vision and hearing packages; roadside assistance and more. 60plus.org
American Seniors Association: Founded in 2005 for people age 50 and older, this conservative organization is built on foundations including rebuilding national values, Social Security reform, Medicare reform, tax code reform and control of government spending. Fees to join run $15 for one year, $25 for two or $35 for three years, and members receive access to a variety of discounts; travel; home and auto insurance; security services; health and wellness (medical, dental, vision and hearing) and more. americanseniors.org
Association of Mature American Citizens: With more than 1 million members, this organization was started in 2007 for people 50 and older. Its mission is to help seniors fight high taxes, reduce excessive government involvement in our day-to-day lives, and preserve American values. It also offers discounts on home, health and auto insurance; travel; vision, dental care and prescription drugs; retail purchases; roadside assistance and more. The membership fee is $16 per year or less if you join for multiple years. amac.us
The Seniors Coalition: Founded in 1990, this conservative public advocacy group claims to have about 4 million supporters. Its key issues are to protect Social Security benefits, stop Social Security payments to illegal immigrants, eliminate the “death tax” and reform the Social Security COLA system. It offers few membership benefits. Annual fees are $10 for one person, or $13 per couple, and you can join at any age. senior.org
Send senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit savvysenior.org.