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Reduced Membership Options

The IEEE realizes that economic circumstances may impact some members' ability to pay the full amount of IEEE membership dues.

For this reason, there are special circumstance categories that have been established. Special circumstance discounts are not available to Student members or to members in developing nations who take the electronic membership option. Only one category may be claimed in any year. 

Minimum Income

Applicants who certify that their prior year’s income did not exceed US$14,900, or equivalent, are granted a 50% reduction in IEEE membership dues, regional assessments, and dues for IEEE Societies and their optional publications. Please submit written certification with application and payment.

Retired

A retired member, not gainfully employed and not qualifying for Life Member status, on attaining the age of 62 years, may apply for a 50% reduction in dues and assessments. An individual who qualifies for the IEEE Retired Member category may continue any and all Society memberships held for not less than the five prior years. Optional publication fees equal those established for Student members.

Unemployed

A 50% reduction in membership dues, Society dues, other subscriptions and assessments are available to a member or applicant who informs the IEEE Operations Center office that he/she: (1) has become involuntarily unemployed and is seeking reemployment, or (2) has become voluntarily unemployed for reasons of raising children. A statement of continued unemployment shall be provided with each annual dues payment. In the case of voluntary unemployment, the provisions of this bylaw shall not exceed four years. The reduced payments may not be made in installments.

Permanently Disabled

IEEE membership dues and assessments, if any, shall be waived for those members who become permanently disabled. “Permanent disability” shall mean a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that (1) renders the individual incapable of performing any substantial gainful employment, (2) can be expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration or result in death, and (3) is evidenced by a certification to this effect by a doctor of medicine approved by the executive director. The executive director shall determine the date on which the permanent disability shall have occurred if such determination is necessary.

Developing Nations

IEEE offers an electronic membership option with reduced dues to new and renewing higher grade members who reside in countries where the per capita gross national income (GNI) does not exceed US$15,000 (per World Bank guidelines, using a three-year average).

Join as an IEEE Photonics Affiliate Member

IEEE Photonics Affiliate Members are a vital part of the IEEE Photonics Society community, but pay a reduced membership. Affiliate Members receive all the benefits of an IEEE Photonics Society Membership, but don’t pay the added dues of a basic IEEE membership. Affiliate members are eligible for Society awards, grants, conference discounts, etc.; however, not IEEE elevations, such as Senior Member or Fellow, and IEEE’s supplemental insurance programs. This is a great option for young professionals as they transition from students into their professional careers or for those who are only interested in the Society benefits. The current cost of an IEEE Photonics Affiliate Membership is $95.50 USD. 

To become an IEEE Photonics Affiliate Member, click here. Note that is is listed as “Non-IEEE Member” option on the form.