Yes.

No they started paying us so we could retire from our day jobs 

Yes, once you reach 500,000 pts, membership is free.  You can do it, too.  I was so thrilled when I made it.

Eventually, they will go down on the leaderboard as others pass them.

It's true

Glad to hear. I didn't even know that it was free after 500,000 points. Sounds like a worthy goal. I guess I better start Blogging more. Thanks for the post and information from you and all of the commenters. 

I believe that is the way it works for now but those with more points will push the others down the line. One day maybe there will be a requirement that there has to be activity every few months at least. 

Yes it is true once you reach 500K you are now participating for free. Your monthly fee goes down according to where you are in the point ranking too.

There are lots of people who are no longer posting and are way up there point wise. Eventually, as others start to rank up they will start to climb down again.

I have seen inactive accounts dissappear, so i dont think they stay on forever. But after 500,000 points, it is free as long as you stay active. 

Once you are at half a million points, your account is free. I don't know that the free account is tied in to any activity after reaching that half million mark.

Hi Dianne. After 500,000 points there is no fee. My account is grandfathered in so I do not pay. I have another account as I am licensed in two states. I pay $19 per month for that one.

If you do not continue to post then others pass you on the Leaderboard. It's like a version of the Hunger Games.

They may change the rules at any time. I think it's important to plan ahead in case they do.

That is so true Dianne Goode- after 500,000 points, your account is free for life!

And did you read my recent post..

50,000 Points in One Month! Are You Kidding?

Dianne, currently after you pass 500,000 points no membership fees required.

You certainly can't hold a place on the leaderboard without being active.  But once you earn points you keep them and once you are free, you stay free (well until they change the rules again)

Yes that is the way it is. But if you aren't active and posting, what good does being on the leader board do you? It does no good. The point is to blog for business. 

Dianne -- FREE AR membership is great. There are lots of "members" who no longer sign in or who are no longer active.  I bet there are some members who may no longer be active but are still "collecting" points because they invited one or more members.    

You can pass them.   Continue to blog, comment, sign in as your schedule and desire to do so continue.   I have often wondered how many truly "active" AR members exist.   

I have a feeling that once you make the leader board, you are there forever.  I've seen some that have not been heard from in years, that are still there.

Dianne Goode - You've asked a great question. How long does AR keep inactive members.  I can see that there is at least one AR member from my area that sadly passed away a few years ago, and is still showing as an active member. I think it's a great question for AR to figure out.  Perhaps they should have an email verification confirmation process and after 3 attempts to reach you if you don't click the button that says keep my membership, or if the email address comes back bad, you're noted as an inactive member, and you come off the point ladder until you re-activate your membership.   I hope someone on the AR staff will comment!

Dianne, I don't know the answer to the fees part of the question, I guess Debbie answered that. Yes, they stay on the leaderboard until you pass them.

Even if they have not posted in a while. 

But pass them you will!

I don't know the answer to that one.  You should email somebody on the staff