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Founded in 1958 by Dr. Ethel Percy, the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has been dedicated to
addressing the needs and interests of older Americans. Percy
felt that older Americans could attain a sense of satisfaction
and fulfillment by remaining physically and intellectually active
in society, thus came about his idea to form the AARP. The
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization open to
anyone, working or retired, over the age of 50. Based in Wash-
ington, D.C., the AARP pursues its goals through service,
advocacy, and education. The AARP's ultimate goal is to help
older Americans achieve lives of independence, dignity, and
purpose. The AARP is spread nation wide through local chapters
and is run mainly by volunteer board members at the local and
national levels.
The 33 million members of the AARP can expect many
benefits as well as support from the AARP. The wide range of
services span anywhere from movie tickets to grants for re-
search. The AARP also has many publications in the form of
audio and publications. The most famous of these publications is
the bimonthly Modern Maturity which targets all readers inter-
ested in AARP issues.
The issues and goals the AARP advocates span a great deal
throughout the political, economic, and social arena. While
diverse in its areas of interest, the AARP mainly concentrates
on social issues. Being a nonpartisan organization, the AARP
does not nationally endorse or contribute any money to the
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campaigns of any candidate running for national positions
including presidency. Politics in the AARP is basically left to
the individual to decide whom he/she will support. The only
participation the AARP takes is through the AARP/VOTE program.
The goals of the AARP/VOTE program are to educate AARP members
and the general public about important economic,