1. AARP American Association of Retired Persons By George Veale & Abhinav

2. Classification Interest Group Sectional Group Membership = 50+ only Non Partisan Non Governmental Permanent

3. Aims “dedicated to enhancing quality of life for all as we age leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.” “a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams.” “To serve, not be served.”

4. Methods Multitude of Initiatives Lobbying at a state and national level - spent $23 million on lobbying in 2006. it also sells insurance, investment funds and other financial products AARP Magazine & AARP Bulletin – highest circulation in the US. AARP Foundation – Charity – security, protection, empowerment, job training, legal advice Radio & Television Groups

5. Successes Influenced the passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act - created Medicare Part D in 2003 Influenced the Congress by resisting radical changes to Social Security in 2005 Divided we fail campaign – address health care and long term financial security – National Federation of Independent Business joined in 07 Over 35 million members $1bn total revenue in 2006

6. Criticisms Unauthorised lobbying for its membership Lobbies against the best interest of its members. Commercial interest conflict with those of its members. In 2009, 60,000 members quit after AARP’s support for US health care reform. Above stated acts, against interest of members.

7. Further Reading http://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/AARPhttp://en.wikipedia.org /wiki/AARP http://www.aarp.org/a arp/About_AARP/http://www.aarp.org/a arp/About_AARP/ http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=AoMNDd Q1_h0http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=AoMNDd Q1_h0