By Raising Its Voice, AARP Raises Questions ( GOP smear on the way)

[BR_Parkway]

Just as important is the question of whether a group that makes millions selling financial services to its members is quite as impartial a player in the debate over private accounts as it would appear. While wearing its policy hat, AARP, headed by CEO William D. Novelli, presents itself as a nonpartisan organization serving the interests of its over-50 members. And there's little doubt that most do not want to see any change to the current system for fear of benefits cuts.

But it is equally clear that AARP makes a substantial sum of money from its partners' sales of mutual funds and other investment products to members. That raises the appearance of a potential conflict of interest. Whatever version of reform passes -- whether Bush's accounts carved out from payroll taxes, or the "add-on" accounts that many liberals favor to encourage retirement savings -- the overhaul is likely to create new markets and opportunities for some suppliers of financial products and lead to diminished opportunities for others. AARP has a stake in that debate. Unlike financial firms, however, AARP has the flexibility to drop waning products and team up with other partners on any new alternatives that emerge.

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http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_11/b3924050_mz011.htm

[liberal N proud]

1. I would trust AARP to help seniors before bu$h or the media

Yes they do have the funds and such but I think in general they are the seniors voice.

[skids]

2. fascinating...

How does the AARP, in bed like any other large organization with the ilk of MBNA (who seek avenues for credit card offers, insurance, and investment accounts) deal with working against the interest of its "advertisers" who stand to benefit from the bureaucracy necessary to implement Bush's private sector diversion accounts.

Well, we saw they didn't deal with it quite so well last time around, but this time, there are propaganda attacks from the fringe right directly on the AARP, and the AARP is already out there taking a stand on SS. Plus there's a bit of a grass roots rabble coming from the membership.

So I guess the crux of the issue is this: are they going to find a way to appease their "advertisers"? Like, has the AARP bothered to take a stand against the bankruptcy bill yet, or is it being conveniently ignored?