Portable Benefits: Unlocking Opportunities for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Author: Jessica Milli

September 15, 2023

In this brief, we examine the concept of portable benefits systems and consider the ways these systems can support entrepreneurship. We review the small-scale federal, state, and local portable benefits policies and programs that currently exist, and we discuss research and thinking on these established programs, the possibilities for larger programs in the future, and the changes that will be necessary to support these broader programs. We conclude with a discussion of the questions that policymakers and program designers will need to consider when exploring the development of new portable benefits systems, emphasizing the need for active engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the design and implementation process in order to ensure that programs meet the needs of all workers.