AARP

AARP, formally known as the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit membership organization of persons 50 and older that is dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of older adults. Along with providing information and products/services to its more than 30 million members, AARP is a powerful force in advocating for social change in the political arena.

AARP has considerable political influence partly because of the large number of voters the organization represents. Furthermore, older adults tend to vote more actively than other age groups. Along with representing a large voting constituency, AARP also spends millions of dollars on lobbying. In fact, AARP is often considered to be the most powerful congressional lobby in the United States. For example, Politicalmoneyline (http://www.fecinfo.com/) reported that AARP accounted for the highest lobbying expenditures made by any one group or organization in 2003; they spent over $20 million supporting the proposed prescription drug plan that year. When in 1997 Fortune magazine compiled a ranking of the 25 lobbying groups with the most political influence in Washington, D.C., AARP was ranked No. 1. AARP's efforts to influence public policy are not limited to lobbying legislators. AARP makes a concerted effort and spends large amounts to reach its membership and the general public to garner support or opposition regarding pending legislation. For example, in regard to privatizing social security, AARP held dozens of forums on the issue, sent mailings to its members, and spent millions of dollars on advertising opposing private social security accounts.

AARP's magazine (the largest circulation magazine in the United States), newspaper-styled Bulletin, and Web site provide channels AARP uses, in part, to motivate their vast membership on particular issues. AARP's Web site has an issues and elections section in which they explain where AARP stands on issues, encourage grassroots networking, provide briefs on political candidates, and present directives to members to either support or oppose pending legislation. For example, in 2006, AARP's Web site urged members to “stop TABOR” (the taxpayer bill of rights) and “get involved, fight back against TABOR.”

Determination of AARP's public policy is accomplished by a special advisory group of 25 volunteers, the National Policy Council. This group considers members' views on issues obtained through calls and letters, surveys, and town meetings. The National Policy Council then makes recommendations to AARP's Board of Directors, who in turn establish AARP's stance on issues such as social security, health care, retirement, and Medicare.

Even though AARP is officially nonpartisan, it is generally regarded to be moderate to left-leaning. Traditionally, AARP's support has tended to align more closely with Democratic policies. However, AARP stood beside the Republican administration in helping to pass a prescription drug bill in 2003. Perhaps in order to maintain a nonpartisan association, AARP does not have a political action committee (PAC), endorse political candidates, or contribute money to political parties or candidates' campaigns.