Life Member

A Life Member is an individual who has made a lifetime commitment to ASCE and the civil engineering profession by remaining a member for the full length of their professional career.

DUES: currently exempt

Current Life Member Guidelines

You have reached the age of 65 years

AND have paid dues in any membership grade except Student Member for at least 35 years

AND have had 10 years of continuous membership immediately preceding the attainment of Life Member

Changes Coming in 2022

The rules to become a Life Member are scheduled to change beginning with the 2022 membership year.

Life Membership Guidelines in 2022 and Beyond

You have paid dues in any membership grade except Student Member for at least 40 years

AND you are retired

All members meeting the qualifications to become a new Life Member will be contacted via email or printed letter. Prospective Life Members will respond when they are retired and be moved into the Life Membership category.

DUES (2022 and beyond): Life Members will be required to pay 50% of standard Society dues rate.

Note: Life Members who reside outside the US will also qualify for the same World Bank classification-based discount as they would if a non-retired member.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2022 changes
1. Who will be impacted?
If approved, all changes will take effect for the 2022 membership year.

The dues change will impact future Life Members and all current Life Members excluding Distinguished Members, those who purchased a Lifetime Service Fee prior to 2018, and those who participate in the ASCE 10 or 20-year Level Term Life Insurance program.

Changes to the Life Member criteria will apply to anyone who seeking Life Member status as of 2022.

The new requirements are as follows:

Life Membership is a category of membership available to ASCE members who meet the following requirements:

at least 40 years of ASCE professional membership

are retired from practice
2. Why is ASCE charging Life Member dues?
ASCE recognizes the importance of providing programs and benefits to serve the changing needs of the profession, and as the number of Life Members grows, our programs need to be sustainable. We have also added a number of new benefits, such as ASCE Collaborate and Mentor Match, that connect and engage members at all career stages to learn from and support one another. We also recognize our special responsibility to develop the next generation of students and early career professionals. All members, regardless of dues rate, have access to the full suite of member benefits.
3. As an existing Life Member, I do not meet the new criteria. Will I be grandfathered as a Life Member in 2022?
The change in Life Membership will not affect members who qualify for Life Member status prior to 2022; however, you will need to pay Life Member dues in order to retain your membership. New 2022 Life Members will not be grandfathered based on the previous rules.
4. If I do not pay the 50% dues, will I lose my Life Membership with ASCE?
Life Member dues are required once in the year 2022 and beyond. Based on this requirement, Life Members who do not pay their dues will lose their membership.
5. I have been a Life Member for many years, am I now expected to pay dues?
Yes, Life Members are now required to pay dues (in 2022 and beyond).
6. As a Fellow and Life Member, will I need to pay dues?
Yes, dues for Life Members in the Fellow grade will now be 50% of $280 for a total of $140.
7. I previously paid the Lifetime Service Fee, do I need to pay dues?
No, members who previously paid the Lifetime Service Fee (pre-paid membership) will not need to pay dues. You will continue to receive Civil Engineering magazine.
8. What happens if I do not pay my dues for 2 years then decide to rejoin? Am I still a Life Member?
Yes, you will be able to rejoin as a Life Member.
9. Can I make a donation equal to my dues to maintain my membership? Can a voluntary contribution of a certain amount substitute for a Life Member payment?
Donations and contributions are not a substitute for paying your Life Member dues.
10. Can I pay in installments?
Yes, all ASCE membership dues can be paid using our monthly installment process. Please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 548-ASCE (2723) or +1 (703) 295-6300 (International) between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., E.T., Monday-Friday.
11. Do I have to apply for Life Membership?
There is no formal application process. To become a Life Member, you must meet the membership requirements. You will be contacted when you meet these requirements. You may respond to that communication or inform us of your retirement and request Life Membership.
12. What benefits and discounts do Life Members have access to?
Life Members have access to the entire suite of benefits available to professional members, including a subscription to Civil Engineering magazine. View member benefits
13. How can I pay my dues?
Life Members can pay their dues using all usual methods: the online renewal process, by returning their paper invoice with payment, or by calling our Customer Service Department at (800) 548-ASCE (2723) or +1 (703) 295-6300 (International) between 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., E.T., Monday-Friday.
14. Do you offer automatic renewal for these Life Member dues?
Yes, Life Members can pay dues using ASCE's auto-renewal process.
15. Does the new Life Member fee include shipping for the Civil Engineering magazine?
Yes, the new Life Member dues include a hard copy subscription to Civil Engineering magazine.

As has been the case in the past, Life Members who reside outside the US will need to pay an additional international shipping fee of $39 to receive the print magazine, a reduction of $50.
16. Can I become a Life Member if I am working part-time? If yes, what is the maximum number of hours I can work and still be a Life Member? How should I document it for ASCE?
Retirement from full-time practice will be a requirement for Life Membership in 2022 and beyond. No documentation will be needed.
17. I no longer have enough income to support paying dues. Can I appeal this decision? How do I do that?
While there is no appeal process for a formal Board decision, members may provide feedback or request a dues waiver by using this linked form.
18. I currently hold ASCE Life Insurance. Will I still need to pay dues as a Life Member?
Any Life Member who has purchased and maintains 10 or 20 year Level Term Life Insurance is exempt from additional dues payments. Please contact Terri Dove or Customer Service at member@asce.org for more information.

For all others, membership is a requirement of the ASCE Life Insurance program.
19. Are Distinguished Members going to have to pay any membership dues moving forward?
No.
20. I typically pay the annual $50 Life Member Service Fee to receive a printed copy of the Civil Engineering magazine. Is that still an option?
No. Life Member dues will eliminate the annual $50 Life Member Service Fee. A print copy of Civil Engineering magazine is a benefit of ASCE membership for all those residing within the US. There will still be a service fee for international members who wish to receive the print copy of Civil Engineering magazine (see also FAQ 15).
21. I am an international Life Member in a country that is eligible for reduced dues based on its world bank classification. Will my new Life Member dues include the international discount members in my country are eligible for?
Yes, Life Members living in countries eligible for a discount based on their World Bank Classification will receive the appropriate discount to their Life Member dues, in addition to the 50% discount they receive as a Life Member. Example: If the dues paying member lives in a country that qualifies for a discount of 50% off the standard Society dues, then a Life Member from the same country will pay 25% of standard Society dues.

Life Member

Current Life Member Guidelines

Changes Coming in 2022

Life Membership Guidelines in 2022 and Beyond

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2022 changes

1. Who will be impacted?

2. Why is ASCE charging Life Member dues?

3. As an existing Life Member, I do not meet the new criteria. Will I be grandfathered as a Life Member in 2022?

4. If I do not pay the 50% dues, will I lose my Life Membership with ASCE?

5. I have been a Life Member for many years, am I now expected to pay dues?

6. As a Fellow and Life Member, will I need to pay dues?

7. I previously paid the Lifetime Service Fee, do I need to pay dues?

8. What happens if I do not pay my dues for 2 years then decide to rejoin? Am I still a Life Member?

9. Can I make a donation equal to my dues to maintain my membership? Can a voluntary contribution of a certain amount substitute for a Life Member payment?

10. Can I pay in installments?

11. Do I have to apply for Life Membership?

12. What benefits and discounts do Life Members have access to?

13. How can I pay my dues?

14. Do you offer automatic renewal for these Life Member dues?

15. Does the new Life Member fee include shipping for the Civil Engineering magazine?

16. Can I become a Life Member if I am working part-time? If yes, what is the maximum number of hours I can work and still be a Life Member? How should I document it for ASCE?

17. I no longer have enough income to support paying dues. Can I appeal this decision? How do I do that?

18. I currently hold ASCE Life Insurance. Will I still need to pay dues as a Life Member?

19. Are Distinguished Members going to have to pay any membership dues moving forward?

20. I typically pay the annual $50 Life Member Service Fee to receive a printed copy of the Civil Engineering magazine. Is that still an option?

21. I am an international Life Member in a country that is eligible for reduced dues based on its world bank classification. Will my new Life Member dues include the international discount members in my country are eligible for?