AARP

AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons) is a U.S. nonprofit organization representing people age 50 years and older, with 39 million members. The national headquarters is in Washington, D.C. with local offices in each state. AARP provides information of interest to older people through publications such as the monthly AARP Bulletin and the bimonthly AARP The Magazine, advocates on public policy issues by doing extensive lobbying, and along with business partners sells auto, homeowners and life insurance, long-term health care insurance, and Medicare supplement insurance.

Membership dues account for about 25% of revenues and royalties from business partners about 40%.

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
AARP has ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). According to an August 2013 ALEC board document obtained by The Guardian, it terminated its ALEC membership on April 16, 2013.

Lobbying
AARP spent $23,160,000 for lobbying in 2006. $60,000 went to the lobbying firm Johnson, Madigan, Peck, Boland & Stewart, Inc. with the remainder being spent using in-house lobbyists.

Personnel
Key executives:
 * William D. Novelli, Chief Executive Officer, Former President The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Former Executive Vice President of CARE, Co-founder and Former President of Porter Novelli
 * Erik D. Olsen, President 2006 - 2008, Former CEO of Delta Dental Plan of California

Selected members of the Board of Directors:
 * Joanne Disch, Board Chair
 * W. Lee Hammond, Secretary/Treasurer
 * Bonnie M. Cramer, Vice Chair

Contact Details
601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 Phone: 202-434-2277 Fax: 202-434-6548 Web: http://www.aarp.org

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * Americans for Financial Reform
 * 60 Plus Association
 * USANext
 * Alliance for Retirement Prosperity
 * U.S. Social Security privatization
 * U.S. Social Security privatization spider diagram

External Articles

 * Barbara T. Dreyfuss, "The Seduction", The American Prospect, May 12, 2004.
 * "AARP Mobilizing to Hound 2008 Candidates", NewsMax.com/Associated Press, March 22, 2007.
 * Robert Pear, "AARP Says It Will Become Major Medicare Insurer While Remaining a Consumer Lobby", The New York Times, April 17, 2007.
 * Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "On Issues From Medicare to Medication, AARP's Money Will Be There", Washington Post, April 24, 2007.