Pension Policy International (19.08.2025) Senator Bill Cassidy (R- IL) uncovered the Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act to prevent gig worker misclassification. Under this legislation, companies will be able to voluntarily offer portable benefits without employing gig workers and having to pay for unemployment insurance, overtime pay, and workers’ compensation. For some time, there has been a disagreement between labor advocates and large companies like Uber or Lyft over portable benefits. Gig workers have been advocating for worker protections, while larger companies have fought back, deeming them independent contractors. Though larger corporations have mostly won, portable benefits are increasingly seen as a way for independent contractors and gig workers to progress. So far, there have been some modest voluntary programs from larger companies who are testing out the portable benefit scene. For example, DoorDash launched a pilot program in which 4% of workers’ pre-tip wages are placed in a savings account for them, amounting to less than $400 in over a year.