Yesterday, the ARRL announced that they are reducing the cost of a life membership for those age 70 or older. According to a news story posted yesterday,
The ARRL Board of Directors recently voted to create a special Life Membership opportunity for individuals who are at least 70 years old. Starting on June 1, the Life 70+ Membership will be available to individuals who have turned 70 and have a combined 25 years of paid annual ARRL membership.
The U.S. 70+ life membership will cost $750.
While it’s nice to see the ARRL moving in the right direction, like most ARRL “benefits” this one really isn’t. According to the Social Security Actuarial Life Table, if you’re 70 years old, you have a life expectancy of 14.39 years. The current membership dues are $50/year, so unless you have really good genes, this is a break-even deal at best. And, that assumes that you join right at age 70. If you’re already over 70, you’re actually paying more for a life membership than if you would simply pay yearly.
This program really is too little and too late (in life). I’m no financial genius, but even I can see that this a non-benefit.
So, thanks, but no thanks.
Jeff, KE9V says
Makes me glad I got on the Life Membership wagon a long time ago…
73, Jeff
Dan KB6NU says
Yep. It was a real benefit then.
Steve Bemis says
Dan – you took the mic right out of my arthritic grasp😊.
Steve
W8AYN.
Mike Weir says
To break even you would have to live to 85 years then it’s a freebie. That is base on 49.00 per year membership divided into 750.00 lifetime at 70 years of age. Mind you membership will go up so the time line may be shortened by a year or two. At 70 years old for some 750 is not just hanging around waiting to be spent.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Yohei N8YQX says
This is how IEEE handles their life membership. If ARRL really wants to offer older dedicated hams a real benefit, they should consider something similar. (As far as I know, this is the _only_ way for mere mortals to attain life status with IEEE)
1. Has attained the age of 65 years
2. Has been a member of IEEE for such a period that the sum of his/her age and his/her years of membership equals or exceeds 100 years
Jim Cook says
Buy 1 pay for 2 and second one is free.
Goody K3NG says
I find it puzzling that the League is putting effort like this into the tail end of their membership cycle. Creating a new benefit in the front end would yield more dividends in the long run. How about a free one year membership to new licensees with access to all electronic publications (no paper mailing)? There wouldn’t be much if any hard costs associated with this. It would also help with a chronic problem in amateur radio: newcomers not sticking around and staying active in the hobby. Giving these newcomers an injection of information the first year from QST, NCJ, and QEX could get a lot of these new licensees interested in facets of amateur radio beyond what they can often get stuck in, like 2 meter FM.
Don says
Dan,
I’d guess that I agree with about 90% of ARRL initiatives, but this one baffles me. I see absolutely no reason anyone would jump on this offer for the very math equation you present. Yes, I plan on living past 100, but…
If you read the articles on eHam.net, you’ll see one that I recently wrote advocating for a marketing plan to older folks since our hobby offers so much for “seasoned citizens” who have time, disposable income, and a desire for a fulfilling hobby. But this won’t help that cause.
I do agree with K3NG. The bargain ARRL membership for newcomers…regardless the age…might help more of them stick and become as enthralled with the hobby as you and I are.
Don N4KC
http://www.n4kc.com
http://www.donkeith.com
PAUL says
Since the ARRL is built upon its membership, why didn’t the ARRL poll or ask its members on what they think life membership should be based on. At least get some feedback and information from the membership. As well as looking at other organizations on how they implemented life membership.
Paul kw1L
Dave New, N8SBE says
That is, to put it in budget terms, a “revenue neutral” offer. Any board of directors could get behind that, because it doesn’t cost them a dime, they can invest the money for about an annual 8% ROI from the money paid up front, with zero risk. What’s not to love?