So what is the difference between NARFE and AARP as far as their lobbying efforts and benefits for being a member? Typically, I'm not a joiner as it seems like any association with any organization seems to get you on their marketing lists & more unwanted junk mail.
Never learned much about NARFE. I'll have to do some reading up.
Could be beneficial.
AARP, for me personally, offered no benefits beyond being bombarded with junk mailings and e-mails, and spending my dues to support the wrong (for me personally again) political agendas.
95% of the time I get the same travel discounts by simply asking for the federal government rates and presenting My LEO (Retired) credentials.
Actually, AARP is not just for old folks. The "RP" used to mean retired professionals but they changed it to mean real possibilities. You can become a member as long as you are at least 18 years old. The only difference is that if you are under 50, you don't qualify for their medical and dental discounts. I became a member several years ago mainly for the discounts. You get 10% off at Outback and Carrabas, Dunkin Donuts gives you a free donut if you order a coffee, Consumer Cellular gives you 10% off your monthly bill, etc. My wife has a card as well through my membership but she thinks AARP is for old folks and is embarrassed to show the card since she's only 40.
I'm not quite to the age for Medicare yet. And I'll be looking for the best rates when the time comes. Luckily, my wife is a health insurance expert. My problems with AARP stemmed from being bombarded with junk on all the other so-called benefits they offer. And the fact I disagree with many of their political views. Views they support with money from member's dues. But, they have a large following, so I suppose some people find value in membership. Everybody is different. Do what works best for you.
"I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT PEOPLE LIKE ME AS A MEMBER".- Groucho Marx
James48843,
You made me laugh! You can't be as bad as that!
EVERY retired Fed should be a member of NARFE. NARFE is the only organization looking out for the earned benefits that brought us to the public sector to work. We used to be nearly 500,000 strong. Due to death and other reasons, membership has been declining. NARFE IS NOT A UNION. That is a big confusion for many Feds.
There has been a big move away from "joining" any organization by the millennials. They are motivated by different issues than the baby boomer generations. In my town, the Elks lodge has voted to close, the Eagles lodge struggles finding leadership persons. Even the NARFE chapter struggles to bring in new members.
My NARFE dues are $34.08 per year plus $9.00 chapter dues equals $43.08. That is $3.59 per month from my annuity. That is a small price to pay to protect the benefits I earned while working; that were promised to me by my "employer" the Government. I PAY INCOME TAXES. So do you. You may have heard that we are tax cheaters and don't pay our fair share. There are some cheaters out there, but they are causing great grief for the rest of us. I guess my point is NARFE is helping retirees and their spouses BUT we are losing our strength every time we lose a member. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO NARFE and at a minimal cost. How much will you let Congress take away from you before you say ENOUGH?
csh
No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.
Spot on IMHO. Funny, I was mailing a few things for my father-in-law on Saturday, and one of the pieces of mail he handed me was for NARFE. A co-worker who retired a few years back stopped by our office to say hello, and told us how important NARFE is.
Hey, lobbying is as American as apple pie, granted to us in the constitution. I'm all for protecting our benefits. Saw too many cases over the years where contractors swooped in, grabbed the cash, split and left us having to play cleanup. Don't call them beltway bandits for nothin'.
Highly support 2MoreYRS on this. Have been a member since I retired in 2007. Excellent organization that seeks to look out for federal retirees best interests. We need them and they need us.
FS
FogSailing
Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.
Stopping by to add a few updates about NARFE. During the 2016 National Convention, it was voted to go to one member, one vote; and optional chapter membership. National Conventions will now be National Conferences with guest speakers*, training on advocacy at the local level.
*Mike Massimino
Mara Liasson
Tammy Flanagan
Conference website is: FEDcon18 - Event Summary | Online Registration by Cvent.
No God, No Peace. Know God, Know Peace.
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