A:
Paid Up For Life Membership - PUFL
Each summer, when
American Legion Posts receive their membership cards for the coming
year, there will be an increasing number of Legionnaires whose dues are
already paid for the coming year and for every year thereafter as long
as they live. They are Legionnaires who've voluntarily chosen to become
Paid-Up-For-Life members under the National plan.
Most Buy At Dues-Paying Time
The average
Legionnaire is most apt to decide to become a Paid-Up-For-Life member at
the time when dues are usually paid for the coming year. Post
Commanders, Adjutants, and membership workers are asked to make sure
their members know that with one payment they can take care of dues for
all future years.
PUFL is Not A Discount Membership
The National
Constitution & By-Laws of The American Legion is very clear that "there
shall be no form or class of membership except an active membership, and
dues shall be paid annually or for life." Everyone must pay their fair
share to support the organization. The National Paid-Up-For-Life plan
was established for convenience only, giving members an alternative to
paying dues on an annual basis.
Post Receives Dues Portion Annually
That part of the
total dues now being retained by the Post will be returned every year
for all Paid-Up-For-Life members. Many Posts are purchasing
Paid-Up-For-Life memberships for their long-time members, and in
calculating the cost to remit, they may leave out their share of the
dues...this will reduce the amount to submit with the application.
Must Be In Good Standing
The member must be
in good standing to become a Paid-Up-For-Life member...to be in good
standing, the he/she must have a valid membership card for the current
year. The Post Adjutant will certify that member's good standing before
forwarding the application.
Application Process
The applications
for Paid-Up-For-Life membership have to be completed and submitted to
the Post Adjutant or Finance Officer for verification/certification. The
member fills out the application and turns it over to the Post along
with the appropriate payment, just the same as in paying annual dues.
The Post will review and endorse the application, sends it on to the
Department Headquarters, and from there to National for final
processing.
The PUFL application form can be downloaded in PDF format, or obtained
from your Post, Department Headquarters or National Headquarters.
Membership Card
Each
Paid-Up-For-Life member receives a permanent plastic card, as well as an
annual paper membership card, directly from National, to verify
continuing membership in The American Legion. The annual card will be
mailed in June or July of each year. Upon request, a replacement card
can be provided at no charge to the member.
Cost
The cost of a
Paid-Up-For-Life membership is based on two factors - the member's age
at the time of application and the current annual dues of the Post. The
total dues of the Post include the Department and National per capita
plus dues retained by the Post. Click here to check the Paid-Up-For-Life
Membership Rate Chart.
Kansas and Nebraska do not participate in the National plan. They
operate their own plan for their respective members. For more
information about these other plans, the members and Posts can contact
their Department Headquarters.
For more information on the Paid-up-for-Life Membership Plan:
See your Post Adjutant or Finance Officer or contact National at
ia@legion.org |
