Many conservative-leaning aternatives to AARP exist

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend any conservative membership organizations for older adults that offer discounts too? AARP is way too liberal for my liking. — Discount Seeking Conservative

Dear Conservative,

There are actually quite a few senior advocacy organizations out there promoting themselves as conservative alternatives to AARP, and many of them offer membership benefits too. Here’s what you should know.

Anti-AARP

While AARP, with a membership of around 38 million, is by far the biggest and most powerful advocacy group for people age 50 and older, there are millions of older Americans who don’t like or agree with their stance on various issues. Many believe AARP leans too far to the left despite its stated nonpartisan nature.

For seniors who disagree with AARP, there are other conservative-leaning groups you can join that may better represent your views. And many of them offer their members discounts on things like travel, insurance, health care and more. Here are several to check into.

>> 60 Plus: American Association of Senior Citizens (60plus.org): Established in 1992, this nonprofit group was founded to lobby for issues it holds dear, namely free enterprise, fewer taxes and less government. Its main priority is to end the federal estate tax and preserve Social Security. Membership fees run $12, $24 or $48 per year, or $299 for a lifetime membership. It also offers a bevy of discounts on travel and entertainment, cable, Internet and satellite services, dental, vision and hearing packages, roadside assistance and more.

>> American Seniors Association (AmericanSeniors.org): Founded in 2005 for people age 50 and older, this conservative organization is built on five foundations, which includes rebuilding national values, Social Security reform, Medicare reform, tax code reform and control of government overspending. Fees to join run $15 for one year, $25 for two or $35 for three years. Members receive access to a variety of benefits on travel, home and auto insurance, security services, health and wellness (medical, dental, vision and hearing) and more.

>> Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC.us): With more than 1 million members, this organization was started in 2007 for people 50 and older. Its mission is to help seniors fight high taxes, reduce excessive government involvement in our day-to-day lives and preserve American values. It also offers a host of benefits on home, health and auto insurance, travel, vision and dental care, prescription drugs, retail savings, roadside assistance and more. Membership fees run $16 per year, or less if you join for multiple years.

>> The Seniors Coalition (Senior.org): Founded in 1990, this conservative public advocacy group claims to have around 4 million supporters. Its key issues are to protect Social Security benefits, stop Social Security payments to illegal aliens from Mexico, eliminate the death tax and reform the Social Security COLA system. TSC offers very few membership benefits. Annual fees run $10 for one person or $13 per couple and you can join at any age.

Some other senior membership organizations to consider that offer discounts include the nonprofit American Senior Benefits Association (ASBAonline.org), and the conservative-leaning National Association of Conservative Seniors (NAOCS.us) and the Christian Seniors Association (CSAbenefits.site-ym.com).

Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC-TV’s “Today” program and author of “The Savvy Senior.” Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070; or visit savvysenior.org.