Posts tagged portable benefits
Tennessee Supports Independent Workers
April 7, 2025 // A portable benefits account is designed to empower contract and freelance workers by helping them save for key benefits such as health insurance, income replacement, retirement, and disability insurance. These accounts are owned by—or legally tied to—the worker and remain with them as they move between jobs, industries, or locations. This portability gives independent workers the flexibility and security they need to thrive. This year, Senator Bo Watson sponsored SB1377, accompanied by Representative Charlie Baum’s HB494, which allows any person or entity to contribute to a worker’s portable benefits account. The legislation includes three key protections
Backgrounder: Modern Worker Security Act
March 7, 2025 // Rep. Kiley’s legislation would ensure that the offer of portable benefits by companies would not be a factor in any calculation regarding the classification of a worker under “any federal law”—including the FLSA. The legislation defines portable benefits as a work-related benefit that stays with the worker regardless of whether they continue to perform work for that individual. Such work-related benefits can include “workers’ compensation, skills training, professional development, paid leave, disability coverage, health insurance coverage, retirement savings, income security, and short-term saving” or financial contributions toward such coverage—or a combination thereof.
Bills Introduced in Congress Work to Secure the Right to Work for Independent Professionals
February 27, 2025 // On February 13, California Congressman Kevin Kiley (R) introduced two bills in the House of Representatives that seek to codify and protect independent professionals and contractors. In this 119th Congress, Paul has partnered with two key right-to-work organizations to reintroduce “The National Right to Work Act”: The Institute for the American Worker, and the National Right to Work Foundation.
‘We Are Hopeful’ Q&A with Patrice Onwuka and Kim Kavin
January 24, 2025 // Congress should consider enshrining the Trump-era definition for independent contractors, and/or consider ways to get ahead of the opposition to flexible work. The Employee Rights Act was a federal bill that, among many pro-worker provisions, sought to protect independent contractors as a counter to a national ABC Test in the now-defunct Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Portable benefits also provide a pathway for companies to provide independent contractors with workplace benefits without triggering a reclassification.
Independent Contracting in 2025
January 8, 2025 // Independent contractors forgo workplace benefits that employees receive. Portable benefits are a way to give them access to benefits untethered from employment with one employer.
A Fresh Look at the Independent Workforce with New BLS Data
November 27, 2024 // New BLS data reveal the size and growth of the independent workforce, preferences for independent work over W-2 employment, and key demographic and industry trends
My Congressional Testimony: Flexible Benefits for a Flexible Workforce
April 17, 2024 // My testimony today focuses on legalizing independent contractors’ access to fringe benefits. My three key points are: 1. Independent contractors lives would be enhanced if they had access to benefits. 2. States are experimenting with various portable benefits models so that workers care not forced to choose between structured employment with benefits or flexible work without benefits. 3. Federal policy can provide a safe harbor for state and local experimentation with these portable benefits systems.
House Subcommittee Discusses Expanding ‘Portable Benefits’ for Gig Workers
April 15, 2024 // However, Kiley said the government should not force workers to be employees if they don’t want to be. Kiley said he was in favor of a safe harbor and would take other steps to seek out bipartisan support to help provide the growing number of gig workers with portable benefits.