Title: AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
Headings: AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
AARP: Money First, Seniors Second
Russel Hanson is the pen name of a writer in Washington, D.C.

Content: The AARP America Doesn't Know" to address the reality that AARP has violated their 501 (c) (4) tax-exempt status. As to why it took this long for people to wake up to this fact, who knows? But as least some have seen the light. The report points out that AARP makes its money primarily from insurance industry royalties, which accounted for nearly 46% of their revenue in 2009, whereas membership dues accounted for a measly 17%. It is highly unlikely that AARP would be such a political behemoth (and bully) if not for these royalties. What many AARP members don't know is that their money is often being spent on lobbying and political contributions, primarily on Democratic causes. AARP claims that they do "not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates." Of course, because that would be illegal. But its employees do make such contributions. According to Open Secrets, from 2007-2008, AARP employees contributed to twenty federal candidates, 16 of whom were Democrats.