Title: What Type of Interest Group is the AARP? | Sapling
Headings: What Type of Interest Group is the AARP?
What Type of Interest Group is the AARP?
History
Significance
Function
Considerations
Considerations

Content: A retired high school principal herself, Andrus believed that retirees could, and should, lead active lives as well as be able to afford basic insurance. In 1958, the association became the American Association of Retired Persons and opened membership up to residents of all 50 states. In 1999, the AARP expanded by offering membership benefits to people over 50, even if they are not yet retired. Advertisement
Significance
The AARP is considered a special interest group because of its advocacy on behalf of members on a number of important social and financial issues. It has lobbied the federal and state governments on issues such as Social Security reform and the extension of Medicare prescription coverage, commonly called Medicare Part D. THe AARP also lobbies on behalf of retired and older people world wide, building a coalition of associated non governmental organizations (NGOs) and is retained as a counselor to the United Nations' Economic and Social Council, GINA--a Geneva-based group concerned with aging issues--and other organizations in Europe and elsewhere. Advertisement
Function
The AARP is also a non-partisan advocacy group that offers information on political issues to its members. As a non-profit, non-partisan group, the AARP has never endorsed or contributed to the campaign of any elected official. It does, however, take sides in issues concerning Medicare, Social Security and other issues it advocates for. The AARP has been designated a 501 (c) (4) group by the IRS; this designation means that the AARP is considered a not-for-profit advocacy group that agitates for social welfare issues.