Should I join the National Association for the Self Employed?

November 17, 2008 11:06 AM

Should I join the National Association for the Self Employed (NASE)?

I got an offer to "join" the National Association for the Self-Employed. The premier level cost $480 a year. From the website, it is not entirely clear whether the benefits justify the expenses.

Does anyone have any experience with NASE and their services? Is it worth the money?

posted by GarageWine to work & money (8 comments total)

Experience from 10 years ago:
I found them to be a little right wing in their lobbying efforts. I can't remember what the issue at the time was, but I was disappointed enough to drop them. The insurance that they offer wasn't bad, but it wasn't included in the membership either.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:13 AM on November 17, 2008

You were extended an offer to pay $480 a year without a clear description of why you would want to do so?

I would say, um, no, you should not join the National Association for the Self Employed.
posted by Flunkie at 11:16 AM on November 17, 2008

I'm a member, originally because I needed health insurance and was way way too busy to shop around. They made it pretty easy to set up. It's a marginal insurance at best. They have lots of services that they can provide. If you don't have alot of time to run around and get some of their offerings a la carte then they might be useful. It's probably worth it to have a rep come out and run you through all the things they can provide. (Stuff like merchant services, various insurances, printing stuff, etc.)
posted by vito90 at 11:40 AM on November 17, 2008

Check out the Freelancer's Union. You might have better luck with them.
posted by sondrialiac at 11:41 AM on November 17, 2008

Sorry, just realized that you're not in NY area so that will probably not help you much.
posted by sondrialiac at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2008

When we were shopping around for health insurance a couple of years ago, I ran across NASE and thought about joining for the health benefit. I did some research and, as it turns out, NASE is extremely closely tied to MEGA Health Insurance. Pretty much, NASE acts simply as a conduit for MEGA products. You should stay far, far away from MEGA Health. Two words...balance billing.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:32 PM on November 17, 2008

I come in (phone, email) contact with a lot of Freelance Union members at work because we offer discounts to them on our service. People seem to be pretty happy with them. And you get to say you're a member of FU.
posted by mendel at 5:20 PM on November 17, 2008

Actually I joined them a few years ago for their health insurance. It was fine for me and I felt that their premiums were actually lower than going via COBRA or similar.
but I got a full time job with benefits four years ago so who knows what they're like now.
posted by chickaboo at 4:18 AM on November 18, 2008