Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alliance for Retired Americans?
The Alliance for Retired Americans is a nationwide organization, founded in May 2001, with three million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics and institutions that shape our lives.

What is the mission of the Alliance?
Our mission is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens, so they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security. With the help of our members, the Alliance aims to influence government through action on retiree legislative and political issues at the federal, state and local levels.

How is the Alliance different from AARP?
We are an organization of retirees who are committed to activism and want to influence the policies of government that affect all older Americans. We are not in competition with AARP. We believe the Alliance can be singularly effective on behalf of retired workers by focusing on the issues that most affect them.

Is the Alliance an arm of organized labor and the Democratic Party?
We're proud to be allied with the AFL-CIO and other partners. We think the Alliance has much to offer by helping retirees stay connected to their unions and helping to educate all of our members about the issues they care about. We support elected officials, regardless of party affiliation, who support our agenda and the issues we care about.

Can I become a member of the Alliance if I am not with a union?
Yes, we welcome members from outside the labor movement who share our concerns. The dues of retirees of participating unions are paid by their unions; other members pay an annual membership fee of $10.00.

Why should I become a member of the Alliance?
You should become a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans if you want a voice in the decisions that affect you and your family. Working together and voting together is the best way for working families to have a voice in government. Unions support the Alliance because they want to ensure that their members remain active and stay informed in their retirement years.

What issues is the Alliance working on?
In addition to fighting for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare that is universal, comprehensive, affordable and voluntary, the Alliance is also fighting any new tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of programs that help seniors. We are also opposed to any form of privatizing Social Security and Medicare.