What Affiliated Workers Association does

Affiliated Workers Association (AWA) is a Texas-based non-profit membership association founded in 2001 that serves over 15,000 small business owners, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, entrepreneurs, and gig workers across the United States. The organization operates as a membership platform rather than a technology product, offering a portfolio of 13+ subscription tiers that bundle group-negotiated insurance products (health, dental, vision, life, disability, accident, critical illness) with consumer and business discounts, telemedicine access, patient advocacy, and small business resources. Members pay recurring monthly dues (ranging from $29.95 for the AWA Advantage discount tier up to $1,299 for top-tier AWA TrueHealth family coverage) via automatic payment plans. AWA generates revenue through membership dues and carrier relationships, with insurance products underwritten by A-rated carriers including Amalgamated Life, United Concordia, Unified Life, Guarantee Trust Life, ManhattanLife, and Fidelity Security Life.

AWA's go-to-market is built around inside sales: licensed third-party call center agents contracting with Premier Health Solutions, LLC (its core third-party administrator) conduct the bulk of enrollment via telephone-based sales with recorded verification scripts, supplemented by website direct enrollment and customer service phone support. The association distributes nationally across all 50 states and leverages content marketing (newsletters, webinars, blog), organic social (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), and advocacy partnerships (Small Business Majority, SBE Council) for top-of-funnel acquisition. Member-facing technology is minimal—there is no mobile app, no disclosed API or SDK surface, and no proprietary AI/ML capability.

Operationally, AWA is a lean organization of 1-10 employees that relies heavily on Premier Health Solutions for administration, billing, collections, and premium remittance, and on a network of carrier partners for product fulfillment. Strategic focus is on expanding the membership tier portfolio (recent additions include AWA HealthGuard and AWA EliteHealth), deepening carrier relationships, and extending into adjacent adjacencies such as travel insurance (TME Travel) and community advocacy (LiftFund disaster relief). The structure is a member-owned non-profit, with Neil Peterson serving as Board President and no venture capital, private equity, or institutional ownership disclosed.

Name

Affiliated Workers Association

Legal name

Affiliated Workers Association

Website

https://affiliatedworkersassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Affiliated Workers Association is a Texas-based non-profit founded in 2001 that serves over 15,000 small business owners, entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and gig workers nationwide with subscription membership tiers bundling group-rate insurance (health, dental, vision, life, disability) and consumer and business discounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Membership-based insurance and benefits association

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Group Health Insurance (2–50/100) (FSAIAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flexible Benefits Administration (FSA/HSA/HRA) (HLAEALAK), Business Overhead Expense (BOE) Disability Insurance (FSAIAIAJ)

Keywords

• Small business insurance
• Membership benefits association
• Supplemental health insurance
• Group buying discounts
• Affinity benefits programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Plano

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AWA generates revenue through recurring monthly membership dues from its over 15,000 members. Members pay monthly fees that vary by membership level and plan selection, with options ranging from basic to premium tiers. Each member agrees to automatic payment plans where monthly dues are charged to their credit card, debit card, or bank account.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AWA is a non-profit membership association that sells monthly membership subscriptions bundling a portfolio of supplemental insurance products (limited benefit/fixed indemnity health, dental, vision, term life, AD&D, critical illness, disability income) with consumer and small business discount programs. Membership leverages group buying power to negotiate rates and discounts otherwise unavailable to individual small business owners, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and gig workers.

Product overview

Affiliated Workers Association (AWA) is a non-profit membership association serving over 15,000 small business owners, entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and gig workers since 2001. The organization operates as a platform offering a portfolio of membership tiers rather than a single product. AWA's offering combines group buying power to negotiate discounts on insurance and services. The membership plans include health insurance products (AWA TrueHealth, AWA AdvancedHealth, AWA EliteHealth, AWA HealthGuard) providing accident and sickness limited benefit, fixed indemnity, and hospital confinement coverage; dental insurance (AWA Dental Plus, AWA Dental); vision insurance (AWA OpticAssure); life and disability insurance (AWA Life Plus Triad, AWA Life Plus ADD, AWA BasicGuard, AWA Basic Assist); and comprehensive discount programs (AWA Advantage, AWA SecureElite). Members also gain access to supplementary benefits including telemedicine (Teladoc), patient advocacy (Alight, Point Health), legal services, pet insurance, and business discounts through partnerships with carriers including Amalgamated Life, United Concordia, Unified Life, Guarantee Trust Life, and Fidelity Security Life Insurance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AWA TrueHealth: Membership including association discounts and Accident and Sickness Limited Benefit insurance through Unified Life Insurance Company.
• AWA Dental
• AWA OpticAssure
• AWA AdvancedHealth
• AWA Basic Assist
• AWA BasicGuard
• AWA Advantage
• AWA Life Plus Triad
• AWA SecureElite
• AWA Life Plus ADD
• AWA Dental Plus
• AWA EliteHealth

Products and services

• AWA Advantage Comprehensive membership offering consumer discounts, health care programs, and business solutions including auto buying (TrueCar), travel assistance, roadside assistance, pet care savings, telemedicine (Teladoc), prescription discounts, dental and vision discounts, gym network, business web services, UPS shipping, payroll processing, and office supplies. Targeted at small business owners seeking non-insurance benefits.
• AWA Basic Assist Membership providing disability income insurance underwritten by Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company, offering supplementary income if an accident prevents working. Includes Kindly Human peer support and Acentra Health 24/7 counseling. 90-day elimination period.
• AWA OpticAssure Vision program providing annual eye exam reimbursement up to $40, $200 frame allowance, covered eyeglass lenses, and contact lens allowance $100. Rates by member tier: Member $36, Member+Spouse $46, Member+Child(ren) $48, Member+Family $58.
• AWA TrueHealth Multi-level plan (Value through Level 4) with rates ranging from $249 to $1,299 per month. Includes accident and sickness limited benefit insurance through Unified Life Insurance Company, hospital confinement benefits, surgery benefits, diagnostic benefits, emergency room benefits, doctor office visit benefits, and prescription discounts, along with consumer and business discounts.
• AWA Life Plus ADD Membership offering term life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance benefits. Term Life ($10,000) + AD&D ($100,000) at $79/month; Term Life ($15,000) + AD&D ($150,000) at $89/month. Includes AirMed emergency transport and FreeWill will preparation.
• AWA Life Plus Triad Multi-tier plan combining Term Life, Critical Illness, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance. Rates by age: 18-24 from $53.50; 60-64 up to $251.50. Level 1 and Level 2 options available. Underwritten by Amalgamated Life Insurance Company.
• AWA Dental Plus Fully insured dental plan with a three-year graduated benefits scale covering exams, cleanings, orthodontics, and advanced dental procedures underwritten by United Concordia.
• AWA Dental Fixed indemnity dental plans paying benefits based on a Table of Dental Procedures, providing predictable coverage for routine and major dental work.
• AWA AdvancedHealth Membership offering fixed indemnity insurance combined with discounts and exclusive offers on consumer, business, and healthcare products and services.
• AWA BasicGuard Group term life insurance membership with accident-only benefits during a 6-month waiting period, transitioning to full benefits thereafter.
• AWA SecureElite Membership providing critical illness and group accident insurance with cash benefits that can be used discretionarily for medical costs, childcare, transportation, and household expenses.
• AWA HealthGuard Membership including accident and sickness limited benefit insurance with consumer, business, and healthcare discounts. The HealthGuard Max variant includes term life insurance.
• AWA EliteHealth Membership providing group fixed indemnity limited medical insurance benefits through Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company, plus Business AdvantEdge discounts.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• LiftFundminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 August 2025AWA donated $50,000 to LiftFund's Hill Country Disaster Relief Program to support small businesses impacted by Texas floods. LiftFund is a nonprofit community lender that provides grants and 0%-interest rate loans to small business owners in disaster-affected areas.
• Premier Health Solutions, LLC (PHS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPremier Health Solutions serves as AWA's administrator and valued business partner, providing comprehensive benefits administration, management services, and third-party administrator (TPA) services to agents, associations, and carriers nationwide. PHS's licensed call center agents sell various insurance and non-insurance products to AWA members. PHS also handles billing, collections, and premium remittance on behalf of AWA and carrier partners.
• Small Business MajoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall Business Majority is a small business advocacy organization that supports entrepreneurs across the country. With over 85,000 small businesses and 1,500 business and community organizations in their network, they champion opportunities for a more successful entrepreneurial environment. AWA partners with them to provide advocacy opportunities so members can have a voice on issues impacting their business success.
• ManhattanLife Insurance CompanymajorTechnology or IntegrationAWA partnered with ManhattanLife to create membership levels providing fixed indemnity benefits for hospital and accident coverage. ManhattanLife has a strong reputation for reliability and service in insurance benefits, allowing AWA to offer flexible membership levels tailored to diverse member needs.
• GetAdvocacy and AlightmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWA partners with patient advocacy organizations including GetAdvocacy and Alight to help members navigate the complex world of health insurance. These partners assist members in finding affordable and convenient healthcare providers before appointments and can analyze medical bills to ensure members receive the best possible rates.
• Amalgamated Life Insurance CompanymajorOthersAmalgamated Life underwrites group term life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and critical illness insurance for AWA members. The company has maintained a consistent A.M. Best 'A' Rating (Excellent) for over 40 years and is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Guarantee Trust Life Insurance CompanymajorOthersGuarantee Trust Life Insurance Company underwrites disability income insurance and term life insurance benefits for AWA members. With 83 years of experience and an A.M. Best 'A-' (Excellent) rating, GTL is licensed to conduct business in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
• Unified Life Insurance CompanymajorOthersUnified Life Insurance Company provides accident and sickness limited benefit insurance to AWA TrueHealth members. The company has over 30 years of experience in life, health, and annuity insurance with a B++ financial outlook rating from AM Best.
• United ConcordiamajorOthersUnited Concordia is an A-rated insurance carrier that underwrites fully insured dental benefits for AWA members. They provide a solid national network of dental service providers.
• TeladoccoreTechnology or IntegrationTeladoc provides AWA members with access to board-certified, U.S.-based doctors 24 hours a day through phone or video consultation. Members can speak to a doctor in less than 30 minutes with an average callback time of less than 10 minutes.
• AirMedcoreTechnology or IntegrationAirMed provides AWA members with medical air transport benefits without deductibles, claim forms, or out-of-pocket costs. Members have seamless access to the highest level of acute care provided by the leading air medical company in North America, both at home and abroad.
• TME TravelminorOthersAWA announced a new affiliate partnership with TME Travel to help members protect their travel investments with comprehensive travel insurance coverage for unexpected events.
• Small Business Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBE Council works with Capitol Hill to introduce legislation to further the success of small business owners. AWA supports their efforts through advocacy partnerships pursuing public policy solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Stride Health: Stride is a digital health insurance broker focused on self-employed workers, freelancers, and small business owners. It competes with AWA for the same customer base via a more modern, self-serve online experience rather than phone enrollment.
• Policygenius: Policygenius is an online insurance marketplace that helps consumers compare and purchase life, health, disability, and other coverage. It overlaps with AWA's life, disability, and supplemental health offerings and is a digital channel competitor for the same self-employed buyer.
• Catch: Catch provides benefits, payroll, and insurance tools for self-employed individuals and small businesses. It represents a digital-first, technology-enabled alternative to AWA's association-plus-call-center distribution model for the same target segment.
• Vitable Health: Vitable provides affordable primary care and supplemental health benefits to small businesses, gig workers, and 1099 employees. It is an emerging participant in the same underserved segment AWA targets, with a technology-led delivery model.

Direct peers

• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE): NASE is a long-standing membership association for self-employed individuals that aggregates members to deliver health, dental, life, and business benefits at group rates. It is the closest direct peer to AWA in mission, structure, and target customer.
• National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): NFIB is a large, established small business membership association that bundles advocacy, benefits access, and member services. While primarily advocacy-led, its benefits and insurance partnerships compete for the same small business owner constituency as AWA.
• Small Business Majority: AWA's advocacy partner and one of the largest U.S. small business advocacy networks with 85,000+ businesses. It shares AWA's entrepreneur-focused mission and overlapping audience, and competes for mindshare as the primary resource hub for small business owners.

Broad incumbents

• AARP: AARP is the largest U.S. membership association, with a portfolio of discounted insurance products (health, life, auto) negotiated on behalf of its members. It illustrates the scaled version of AWA's group-buying model applied to a different demographic.
• AAA (American Automobile Association): AAA is a mature, scaled membership organization that bundles insurance (auto, home, life), travel, and roadside services on a recurring dues model. It demonstrates the strategic archetype AWA is pursuing in the small business segment — membership dues funding a portfolio of insurance and lifestyle benefits.
• Sam's Club: Sam's Club is a membership-warehouse business that bundles consumer discounts and member services (including insurance and pharmacy) into a recurring dues model. It serves as a broad incumbent example of the membership-based benefits economy AWA operates in.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/affiliatedworkersassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/affiliated-workers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/awa_smallbiz
• Xx.com/AWAtweets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Affiliated Workers Association