Full Version: Is AARP being vilified as the new ACLU?
Just some background info:
The AARP is chartered as an insurance company. In their last annual report (available on their web site) they show revenue of $300 million from insurance sales vs $211 million from membership dues.
They seem to take positions which promote their business interests. By assuming a larger role as an advocacy organization over the past decade they have managed to increase their membership base.
However, the members don't get to decide policy, and as can be seen in the past year the policy is as likely to offend liberals as conservatives at any given moment in time.
I question the suitability of their taking any positions. If I have a point of view I want represented I should join a group which explicitly advocates that. A group which "looks out for the interests of old people" seems to setting one demographic group against others. At least political parties have to try to appeal to a wide range of people.
The AARP is chartered as an insurance company. In their last annual report (available on their web site) they show revenue of $300 million from insurance sales vs $211 million from membership dues.
They seem to take positions which promote their business interests. By assuming a larger role as an advocacy organization over the past decade they have managed to increase their membership base.
However, the members don't get to decide policy, and as can be seen in the past year the policy is as likely to offend liberals as conservatives at any given moment in time.
I question the suitability of their taking any positions. If I have a point of view I want represented I should join a group which explicitly advocates that. A group which "looks out for the interests of old people" seems to setting one demographic group against others. At least political parties have to try to appeal to a wide range of people.
QUOTE(robertdfeinman @ Mar 3 2005, 08:50 AM)
Just some background info:
The AARP is chartered as an insurance company. In their last annual report (available on their web site) they show revenue of $300 million from insurance sales vs $211 million from membership dues.
They seem to take positions which promote their business interests. By assuming a larger role as an advocacy organization over the past decade they have managed to increase their membership base.
The AARP is chartered as an insurance company. In their last annual report (available on their web site) they show revenue of $300 million from insurance sales vs $211 million from membership dues.
They seem to take positions which promote their business interests. By assuming a larger role as an advocacy organization over the past decade they have managed to increase their membership base.
The AARP also sells mutual funds and other investments through scudder. I note that their own marketing materials don't seem to think that the stock market is such a gamble.
QUOTE(aarp brochure)
While Social Security needs to be strengthened, private accounts that take money out of the program are not the answer and will hurt all generations. There are places in retirement planning for risk, but Social Security isn’t one of them.
.....
As the only investment program specifically for investors 50 and over, the AARP Investment Program's information, services, and investment products are designed to help you prepare for whatever may be on the horizon.
.....
As the only investment program specifically for investors 50 and over, the AARP Investment Program's information, services, and investment products are designed to help you prepare for whatever may be on the horizon.
"There are places in retirement planning for risk" and it appears that the best place for aarp members is ... The AARP! Nope, no conflict of interest there.
QUOTE(carlitoswhey @ Mar 5 2005, 04:43 PM)
QUOTE(aarp brochure)
While Social Security needs to be strengthened, private accounts that take money out of the program are not the answer and will hurt all generations. There are places in retirement planning for risk, but Social Security isn’t one of them.
.....
As the only investment program specifically for investors 50 and over, the AARP Investment Program's information, services, and investment products are designed to help you prepare for whatever may be on the horizon.
.....
As the only investment program specifically for investors 50 and over, the AARP Investment Program's information, services, and investment products are designed to help you prepare for whatever may be on the horizon.
"There are places in retirement planning for risk" and it appears that the best place for aarp members is ... The AARP! Nope, no conflict of interest there.
Carlito I know that even you don't believe your own spin there. It is a little something called a balanced portfolio. You see you have investments which aren't risky (like government securities) and you have those which are like stocks. As you get older you reduce the risky components and increase the stable (and low yield components).
I really don't see what this has to do with their position on social security because it is completely unrelated to it. For the last time, social security is not a retirement plan.
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