Many individuals turn to gig work as a supplement or source of full income; others rely solely on it as their main source. These individuals typically perform various tasks as demanded via app-based technology that facilitates direct transactions between consumers and providers.
Organizations seeking short-term workers may benefit from this strategy, while employees face unique challenges.
1. Financial Challenges
Many individuals rely on gig economy work as an additional income stream outside their full-time employment; others use gig work as their sole source of revenue.
Gig workers, also known as independent contractors and freelancers, are hired for short-term contracted jobs that can easily be managed using mobile technology platforms such as apps. These apps enable consumers and providers to connect quickly based on real-time demand.
Young Americans in particular often view gig work as a departure from more traditional employer-employee relationships, as it offers flexibility over one large project at a time and allows them to switch jobs more often than older generations. Unfortunately, gig work typically doesn’t come with benefits like retirement plans or health insurance and this makes maintaining financial security difficult if shifting between projects often.
2. Taxes
The rise of the Gig Economy is being propelled by advances in technology that are revolutionizing how we work. But with its benefits come certain risks – increased tax complexity and noncompliance by workers who fail to save enough or pay their taxes in full.
Gig workers must also consider the costs associated with health insurance and retirement savings plans as they don’t receive benefits from companies they do not work full time for – making planning for long-term financial security more complex than usual.
As gig workers are small business owners, they must track expenses and pay taxes quarterly – often creating stress for newcomers to the workforce. Counties can assist their residents by streamlining application processes and advertising them so as to make getting permits and licenses as simple as possible for gig workers.
3. Insurance
People work in the gig economy for many different reasons. Some do it to pursue passions not suitable for full-time employment; others appreciate its flexibility and autonomy – such as choosing projects or setting schedules themselves – however its erratic income streams make planning ahead difficult; also without job security benefits like health insurance or paid time off it can be challenging to develop long-term professional networks which could eventually lead to permanent employment opportunities.
Many gig economy jobs involve low-skilled tasks, like driving or food delivery services. Although such gigs can act as a bridge to more stable employment opportunities, Dr Healy cautions that they could also lock workers into an insecure cycle that negatively affects their health and wellbeing, along with accessing services like healthcare or childcare.
4. Retirement
Gone are the days when retiring at 65 meant settling back and relaxing on a golf course or cruise ship; more retirees are turning to gig economy jobs to supplement their Social Security benefits and add extra income streams.
Gig work can be found almost everywhere these days – from ride-share driving and food and package delivery, to tech jobs like software development or coding which provide valuable skills that seniors can take with them into full-time retirement.
Every worker can open an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which offers tax-advantaged savings. At AEI, financial professionals should educate gig workers on these and other savings vehicles available, especially for those still working or recently retired.
