Posts tagged portable benefits
A giant barrier to being self-employed is falling, state by state
April 13, 2026 // As more states pass permanent reforms, millions of independent contractors could gain access to benefits they’ve never enjoyed. But states aren’t the only ones that can act. Congress could also amend federal law so that companies may offer benefits without facing liability. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-California) have introduced bills to that effect in their respective chambers. They deserve the support of the full Congress and the White House in giving millions more workers long-term financial security along with the flexibility that self-employment provides. The portable benefits revolution can’t sweep the nation fast enough.
Commentary: The Labor Department Just Freed Contractors—Again. Congress Still Needs To Act.
April 6, 2026 // Fortunately, at the state level, more durable change is happening. Rather than trying to reclassify workers as employees, numerous states have begun experimenting with what's known as a portable benefits model. Under this framework, independent contractors in the gig economy are given access to SEP IRA–style accounts in which both they and gig companies can contribute. The funds from these accounts follow the contractors from job to job, rather than being tied to a single company, and they can be used for benefits like health insurance, retirement funds, or paid time off.
States Lead the Way on Portable Benefits and Flexible Work
March 24, 2026 // The momentum behind portable benefits reflects the strength of a growing network of organizations and leaders committed to modernizing workforce policy. Americans for Prosperity has worked in conjunction with a diverse range of state and national organizations including the Mercatus Center, Libertas Institute, Institute for the American Worker, Independent Women, R Street Institute, and more from state to state. With research, data, examples of those who would benefit, and a dose of optimism, the educational outreach to highlight how beneficial these reforms are to American families has created a surge of interest among state lawmakers who increasingly understand this golden opportunity to help their residents thrive in today’s economy including shifts due to the rise of AI and other technology.
The Rise of Portable Benefits
March 19, 2026 // States like Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming have already enacted voluntary portable benefits frameworks. Others—including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia—have launched pilot programs. And a growing number of states—from Connecticut to Kansas to Hawaii—are actively considering legislation.
NJBIZ Exclusive: NJ voters support gig workers as independent contractors
March 12, 2026 // 75% of New Jersey voters back rideshare, delivery drivers keeping independent contractor status 72% support portable benefits, allowing workers to earn health, dental, vision, retirement benefits while staying independent Support spans Democrats (76%), Independents (71%), Republicans (69%); 84% of app-based workers in favor Poll shows broad understanding of gig economy; preference for flexible, hybrid work models
Vernuccio, Institute For The American Worker on The William Wallis for America Show
March 10, 2026 // Vernuccio, Institute For The American Worker on The William Wallis for America Show Vinny Vernuccio is the President of The Institute For The American Worker. In this interview at The Pelican Institutes Solutions Summit he talks about legislative ideas he is working on in DC to help the average American Worker.
Commentary: Freelancers want to be free
February 26, 2026 // The latest evidence for this comes courtesy of a Politico poll on the subject. The survey found that 88 percent of app-based workers wanted to remain as independent contractors – that is, freelancers – rather than be treated as traditional employees. The workers themselves aren’t buying the argument that they’re being exploited. The general public feels largely the same, if not quite so strongly. The same poll found that 76 percent thought that app-based workers should continue to be treated as independent contractors “if their employers are required to provide them with access to portable benefits.”
WATCH: I4AW’s Jonathan Wolfson Testifies Again: Portable Benefits Bill Considered in Kansas House of Representatives
February 11, 2026 // Visiting Fellow Jonathan Wolfson testified before the Kansas House of Representatives to offer expert analysis on HB 2602, a state bill that would allow businesses that hire independent workers to pay for benefits like retirement accounts or insurance without risking being punished by the government for "misclassifying" the freelancer as an independent worker instead of an employee.
Maine Considers Setting Minimum Rate of Pay for Rideshare Drivers on Platforms Like Uber and Lyft
January 21, 2026 // At the close of their testimony, the group suggests that lawmakers consider implementing a “portable benefits” program wherein drivers can accrue benefits across multiple platforms without “sacrificing their independent contractor status.” “We share the goal of ensuring that rideshare drivers can earn a fair living,” Chamber of Progress said. “But the evidence is clear: in city after city, minimum pay mandates have backfired by raising prices for riders, compressing earnings for experienced drivers, and degrading service for everyone.”
Testimony: Jonathan Wolfson: NH House of Representatives Committee, House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
January 20, 2026 // And what this bill really does at says if a worker and the business that they're working with want to enter into an agreement where a portion of that pay, whether that is the pay, the base pay they agree on or some sort of supplemental pay, wants to go into some sort of account. Maybe that business offers health savings accounts to their employees and they say to that independent worker, would you like us to put some of the dollars that we would otherwise pay you into that health savings account which allow you to have some tax benefits for the dollars going in there instead of going to you directly? This allows them to do that without taking the risk that in the status quo they have. And that risk is that by simply paying those dollars into a benefited account, that business is at risk that that person could be considered misclassified under New Hampshire law. whether that is workers compensation, unemployment insurance, state labor law, or state tax law.