Millions of workers in the U.S. rely on social policy to sustain them during challenging times—from unemployment to food insecurity, social safety net programs allow people to participate more fully in their lives and the economy despite financial uncertainty. As one of the foundational programs of the social safety net, Social Security ensures a basic level of financial support for people as they age. Shifting demographics combined with little policy change has pushed this program into crisis, with reserves predicted to be depleted as early as 2035 without intervention. Yet, Social Security presents a model of exactly the type of benefit workers need in the 21st century—portable across jobs and available to all workers. In order to offer actionable solutions and to illustrate the magnitude of the current crisis, the following proposal 1) mandates increased employer contributions to Social Security from medium and large employers, 2) requires companies relying heavily on independent contractors to contribute to Social Security on their behalf, and 3) allows and incentivizes additional contributions from small employers and self-employed workers.
Overview
Issue Areas
Related Resources
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Benefits Beyond Measure
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
“Just Make It Better.” What Gig Workers Have to Say About Gig Work
The Workers Lab
Issue Brief
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Issue Brief
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
The Potential of Guaranteed Income to Empower Workers and Improve Job Quality
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
The Complete Guide to Supporting Employee Mental Health
WorkLife Partnership
Does employee ownership improve performance
Rutgers University, et al.
Portable Benefits in Action
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Insights from Businesses
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
The Original Portable Benefit
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Promoting Equity and Inclusion and Connection to Good Fit Jobs for Young Adults
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Exploring Portable Worker Training
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
To Build Back Better, Job Quality Is the Key
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Race and Gender Wealth Equity and the Role of Employee Share Ownership
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Unpacking the Work of Work-Based Learning
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
From Ideal Worker To Ideal Workplace
ideas42 and Time's Up Foundation
Voices from the Field
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
An Equity Imperative
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Roadmap to Reimagine Restaurants
One Fair Wage, et al.
Policies to Support Workers During Coronavirus
National Partnership for Women and Families, et al.
Employee Ownership
ICA Group
Let’s Take Action
PolicyLink
Embracing Open-Book Management to Fuel Employee Engagement and Corporate Sustainability
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Analysis of Black Women’s Historical Labor Trends & Systemic Barriers to Economic Mobility
Women's Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Job Quality Learnings Report
National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Understanding Good Jobs
Urban Institute
How COVID-19 Affected the Quality of Work
Gallup
Advancing Frontline Workers of Color
FSG and PolicyLink
Awake to Woke to Work
Equity in the Center
The Catapult Papers Essay #3
Jewish Vocational Services
The Roadmap for Racial Equity
National Skills Coalition
Workers’ Rights for Workforce Development
University of Illinois Labor Education Program
Genesis at Work
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Not Just a Job
Gallup
Advancing Frontline Women in Retail
FSG
Exploring Employee Share Ownership as a Potential Investment Strategy in Opportunity Zones
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
The Practice of Improving Job Quality
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Reconnecting Work and Wealth
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
2019 Guidebook
Chicago Beyond
Making Work-Based Learning Work for Retail
JFF Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning
Partnering for Equity
The University of Texas at Austin – Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources
Stable Scheduling Study
Center for WorkLife Law
Investing in Workforce Program Innovation
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
The Competitive Advantage of Racial Equity
FSG and PolicyLink
Working at the Intersections
Building Movement Project
Philanthropy and the Future of Work
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Restore the Promise of Work
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Apprenticeship
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Connecting Young Adults To Employment
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Moving Beyond Job Creation
Pacific Community Ventures
Next Generation Employer-Engagement Strategies
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Apprenticeship
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, et al.
Your Rights at Work
AFL-CIO
Selling Your Business to Your Employees
Democracy at Work Institute, et al.
Sectoral Strategies for Low-Income Workers
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
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