Q: Why is there an increase in membership fees?
A: Maintaining TOPS Club, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, requires significant resources. Despite our nonprofit status, over the years, TOPS Club, Inc. has seen annual expenses often exceeding revenue. While we’ve taken measures to help offset these costs (increasing memberships by only $13 over the past 17 years), it is essential that we continue to strengthen our financial foundation to ensure long-term sustainability. This new adjustment will allow us to keep delivering the tools, resources and support our members rely on.
TOPS Club, Inc. was founded in 1948 by Esther S. Manz, with the belief that weight loss and health could be best achieved through mutual support and encouragement. She started TOPS with a simple yet powerful mission: To bring people together to “Take Off Pounds Sensibly.” From those first meetings around a kitchen table, TOPS has grown into a supportive, science-backed community that helps members reach and maintain healthy weights.
By ensuring affordable access to quality weight-loss support, we’re honoring our founder’s mission and setting the foundation to help more members reach their goals in the years ahead. At TOPS, every member counts, and this update helps us ensure that we’re here to encourage, inspire and uplift for years to come.
Q: What is the new membership cost?
A: TOPS Club, Inc. offers a new membership plan that rewards loyalty with a reduced annual fee over time. For new members, the initial year is Newcomer, and the fee is $70. At the first annual renewal, as a Trailblazer, the rate lowers to $60, and by the second renewal, or Legacy renewal—and for every year thereafter—it’s $48. If you renew or join online, there is no additional $1.50 processing fee, which applies only when using the L-003 or L-003R form by mail. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
Newcomer ($70 USD): Welcome to the TOPS community! As a Newcomer, you're beginning a rewarding journey with a supportive group that’s here to help you every step of the way. You’ll find encouragement, resources and motivation to guide you as you work toward achieving your health and wellness goals.
Trailblazer ($60 USD): You've made it to your first renewal—congratulations! As a Trailblazer, you're not just continuing your journey but truly blazing your trail toward lasting health and wellness. With each step, you'll gain confidence, build healthy habits and join a community that celebrates your progress and helps you stay on track for the long term.
Legacy ($48 USD): Congratulations on your ongoing commitment! As a Legacy member, you’re not only continuing your personal journey toward better health, you’re becoming an essential part of something bigger—a community dedicated to long-term success and support. Your perseverance inspires others, and together, we create a powerful network focused on achieving sustainable wellness and lifelong goals.
This new rate structure enables us to keep providing high-quality support, resources and tools for your weight-loss journey. Even with these updates, we remain dedicated to making TOPS an affordable, welcoming community for everyone pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
Q: How are CAD fees handled for members in Canada?
A: TOPS is a U.S.-based organization, and works in U.S. dollars (USD). If you’re a Canadian member, you’ll need to convert the USD amount to CAD before sending your payment. Please be aware that writing USD on a CAD check does not work. Use the exchange rate in effect on the day you write your check. If you’re paying online, the currency conversion will be handled automatically during the transaction.
Q: What happened to Plus and Deluxe Memberships? Are there different tiers for each renewal?
A: While we previously had membership packages such as Plus and Deluxe, TOPS Club is switching to a year-based system with add–on bundles available to members seeking additional merchandise. While every member has access to exclusive resources including the My Day One Guide, TOPS News, the 28-Day Meal Plan and additional online tools, members can choose these add-on bundle options for additional resources. Here is an outline of what you get with each bundle:
Getting Started Bundle: Jumpstart your TOPS journey with the essentials for tracking progress and balanced meal planning. This bundle includes the International Pound Bankbook with a protective cover to record weight milestones, plus exchange cards and a holder to support your healthy eating goals. You'll also receive a bonus TOPS wristlet, a constant reminder to you and others to Take Off Pounds Sensibly with confidence!
Progress Planner Bundle: Take your journey toward better health to the next level with tools for tracking, reflection and organization. This bundle includes all the essentials—the International Pound Bankbook, cover, exchange cards with a holder and a TOPS wristlet—plus two unique journals. Use My Real Progress Journal to track meals, activity and daily goals, and bring the TOPS Journey Journal to each meeting to record notes and reflections. With these powerful tools, you'll stay inspired and on course toward your goals!
Meal Planning Master Bundle: Take charge of your health and wellness with the ultimate toolkit for meal planning and portion control. This bundle includes the International Pound Bankbook with cover, plus a TOPS wristlet to keep you motivated and remind you to Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Master meal planning with Food Exchange Cards and a convenient holder for on-the-go tracking. To make meal prep even easier, you’ll also receive stackable measuring cups, a handy Steam-In Container and a cutting board set—one for fruits and veggies and another for meat and poultry—each featuring visual cues to help with portion control. With these tools, you'll be equipped to stay on track and create balanced, portioned meals with ease.
Q: When will the new membership rates take effect?
A: January 1, 2025.
Q: Who decided to make this price change?
A: Our Board of Directors made the decision to adjust the membership fees. They carefully considered how to maintain the quality support and resources TOPS members rely on, while ensuring that we can continue our mission for years to come.
Q: If I already paid for my upcoming membership fee, will I keep that rate?
A: If your membership renewal is due before January 1, 2025, you will pay the previous rate for one more year. Renewals due on or after January 1, 2025 will reflect the updated rates.
Q: Are there any discounts or financial assistance available for members looking for ways to save?
A: Yes, TOPS Club, Inc. has partnered with Grouper to offer financial assistance for eligible members in the U.S.! Through Grouper, members with specific Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans can qualify for payments that help cover membership costs. Learn more about eligibility and benefits here.
Half-priced memberships (based on the year you are renewing) are available for teen members as well as eligible people in the same physical household of an active, full-price member, and for those who are blind/visually impaired. Half-priced members do not receive individual copies of TOPS News. To take advantage of this special, please call us at (414) 482-4620.
In addition, when renewing your membership through tops.org, you can choose a third-party program to pay in installments, making it easier to manage your budget and stay on track with your goals.
And remember, if you renew online through tops.org, you’ll save $1.50 on the processing fee that applies only to mail-in joins or renewals.
Q: What if I quit TOPS Club and decide to rejoin? Will I need to resubscribe at the Newcomer rate?
A: Your renewal rate depends on how long you were an active member and the length of your inactive period:
- If you were a one-year member before becoming inactive, you’re eligible to return at the Trailblazer rate ($60) within 10 years of being inactive.
- If you were a two-year member before becoming inactive, you can come back at the Legacy rate if your inactive period is within 10 years.
- If you were a member for three+ years before becoming inactive, you can renew at the Legacy rate ($48) as long as you’ve been inactive for 10 years or less.
- If you’ve been inactive for over 10 years, you’ll renew at the Newcomer rate ($70)—regardless of your prior membership duration.
Thank you for being a valued member of TOPS Club! Please remember, the membership price change will not go into effect until January 1, 2025. If you have additional questions that were not answered here, contact local field staff or helpdesk@tops.org for further assistance. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work to keep TOPS a supportive and affordable organization. Let’s continue to Take Off Pounds Sensibly!