• Senior citizens have alternatives to AARP.Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  AARP, a nonprofit organization that aims to help people's quality of life who are 50 years of age and older, is often the go-to organization for senior citizens. Part of what AARP does is advocate for social change on issues that promote the welfare of senior citizens, according to the AARP website. AARP has taken a stand to support President Barack Obama's health reform plan, for example, according to a letter sent to the White House and signed by Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP. Some AARP members do not feel that AARP speaks for them on this issue, however, and on other issues, such as raising taxes. Dissatisfied members might want to look for AARP substitutes.
  
  

American Seniors Association (ASA)

• The American Seniors Association promotes the phrase, "the conservative alternative to the AARP," on its website. The ASA offers help with Medicare, insurance, prescription discounts, travel services, auto club and information on where to find facts on current social issues that may affect senior citizens. The ASA does not agree with any organization that claims to speak on behalf of its members, but may not. ASA believes in giving its members information and providing tools to allow its members to speak for themselves. The ASA says that it is a Constitutionalist organization, meaning that it strives to uphold the principles of the Constitution of the United States. This organization does that by supporting causes that limit the role of the federal government in people's lives and advocates for Social Security reform, Medicare reform and tax reform by way of the Fair Tax, all federal programs. There are no age requirements to join.
  
  

Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC)

• The Association of Mature American Citizens is a conservative organization representing people with a particular set of beliefs; by joining AMAC, you will be joining a group that fights high taxes and believes in God, according to their website. AMAC sponsors tax-payer Tea Parties, as of 2010, in New York and Florida. The Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots organization with a goal of educating the public about and promoting fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government. AMAC provides members with hotel and motel discounts across the country. As of 2010, this group offers members local discounts in New York and Florida, with a goal to expand these benefits nationally. You need to be 50 years of age or older to join AMAC.
  
  

Comparisons

• AARP has been around since 1958. ASA started in 2005, and AMAC began in 2006. AARP has 40 million members, according to "CBS News." ASA and AMAC are smaller organizations that hope to grow. AARP is well established. It offers benefits to seniors, as of 2010, such as discounts, insurance products, travel benefits, health products, financial services and member publications. While ASA and AMAC offer some benefits to their members as listed above, as of 2010, AARP offers more benefits than do ASA and AMAC. The draw for AARP substitutes, as of 2010, is more of a philosophical one.
  
  As of 2010, AARP costs $16 for a one-year membership. Membership in the ASA and membership in AMAC is $15 a year each. All three offer a free membership for your spouse.