By Lynn Cavanaugh
Source: BenefitsPro
Retirement proposals for workers without an employer-sponsored retirement plan were front and center at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee meeting last week. Senator Bill Cassidy, (R-LA), chair of the HELP Committee, delivered opening remarks on how to empower gig workers to access portable workplace benefits, like health care and retirement, in his legislation aimed at improving retirement security of freelance and gig workers called the Independent Retirement Fairness Act that he introduced last week in the Senate.
“The American workforce looks much different than it did 10, even 5 years ago …,” said Sen. Cassidy. “There are now more than 27 million Americans who work as independent contractors … None of them should have to choose between a flexible work schedule and having a 401(k) or health coverage. Congress must modernize labor laws to catch up to the 21st century economy and meet the needs of today’s workers.”