RETHINKING RETIREMENT SECURITY FOR NON-TRADITIONAL WORKERS
Rethinking Retirement: A New Path for Non-Traditional Workers
In today’s evolving workforce, more than 72 million Americans—freelancers, artists, gig workers, and independent contractors—navigate careers without the safety net of traditional retirement systems. In Rethinking Retirement Security for Non-Traditional Workers, Miata Edoga, actor and financial educator, explores the retirement crisis facing this underserved population during the “Peak 65” era, when more Americans are turning 65 than ever before. The white paper uncovers the participation gaps in employer-sponsored plans and highlights how inconsistent income, limited financial infrastructure, and lack of tailored financial education leave many non-traditional workers vulnerable in retirement.
Just because someone doesn’t have a 401(k) doesn’t mean they haven’t planned. Just because they worked independently doesn’t mean they don’t deserve financial security.”
But there’s hope. Edoga emphasizes that building a secure financial future is possible—regardless of career path—through accessible tools, smarter planning, and expanded options like protected income products, pooled retirement plans, and automation. Drawing on her decades of work with creatives through her company Abundance Bound, she shares practical insights and calls for cultural change: retirement security should be inclusive, not exclusive. Whether you’re just starting out or catching up, this paper offers a powerful framework for making retirement work—for everyone.