Why I Refuse to Join the AARP

The American Thinker has a post on organizations that endorsed policies that not only DIDN'T benefit its members, but directly HURT them.  On of those organizations is AARP.

Founded as a nonprofit advocate for retirees on issues affecting older Americans, AARP counts 40 million members. It is ten times the size of the National Rifle Association and not far behind the 68-million-member Catholic Church. Two-thirds of its $800-million annual budget comes from insurance sales, and another $240 million from membership dues, giving it a budget five times the size of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is arguably the most powerful lobbying group for seniors and Baby Boomers.

But AARP's endorsement of ObamaCare was clearly made at the expense of its members' best interests. Obama's health insurance program targets seniors for $313 billion in Medicare cuts over the next ten years. That gives AARP a profitable opportunity to sell Medigap insurance. With fewer seniors on Medicare Advantage, demand for Medicare fee-for-service insurance will expand, as will royalties to AARP, which already command 30% of the Medigap insurance market.  The organization's call for $500 billion in Medicare cuts was made because it recognized that it would lose money if it didn't stop the Medicare Advantage program. Further, ObamaCare not only cuts Medicare, but it also limits patient-doctor choice and rations health care. Yet AARP remains a supporter, putting its commercial interests over the needs of its membership. 

This group DOESN'T represent the seniors it purports to.  It does not represent their interests, which, in addition to getting benefits for their members, should also realize that almost all of their members have children and grandchildren - whom the members want to NOT be made bankrupt for the sake of Granny and Gramps.

The insurance that AARP sells is NOT the best deal for seniors - it is just the insurance that offers the organization the best payoff.  Moneywatch has an analysis of AARP's offerings, and they aren't impressed.

Ed Hinerman, an insurance analyst, agrees that AARP often pushes bad plans for their target group.

I know the card comes with a low yearly membership rate, and it brings enticing coupons and offers, but consider tearing it up next time, and throwing it in the place it has earned - the garbage.

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