Freelancers Union: Low cost insurance
November 17, 2007
Of the many benefits to working as a freelancer, low cost health, dental, disability and life insurance are not part of the benefits. Over 30 percent of the American workforce are freelancers — independent contractors who work without the security of employer supported benefits.
Traditionally, freelancers have been on their own to negotiate reasonable premiums with large insurance companies. As a result, many freelancers have not been able to afford to buy insurance. The dreaded fear of most freelancers is becoming ill or suffering disability.
According to the Freelancers Union,
“The social safety net that followed FDR’s New Deal consisted of employer-based benefits, most crucially health and disability insurance and savings for retirement. That system does not meet the needs of the freelance workforce. Freelancers Union aims to provide a new, flexible safety net, by linking benefits to the individual rather than to the employer.
In addition to providing a flexible safety net in the form of portable benefits, the Union tries increase the visibility of independent worker, bringing issues that concern freelancers to the attention of media and policy makers. From tax relief - independent workers bear a greater tax burden than traditional employees - to unemployment and worker’s compensation, Freelancers Union advocates for legal reform on these issues.”
Founded by Sara Horowitz in 1995, the Freelancers Union began providing consultants, independent contractors, temps, part time workers, contingent employees and the self-employed in the New York City area with the same access to benefits enjoyed by employees who work for a company. Known as the Portable Benefits Network (PBN), the Freelancers Union states that freelancers can obtain health insurance at less than half the price of average HMO premiums in the individual market, in addition to life and disability insurance. Since its beginning in 1995, the Freelancers Union has expanded to 30 states.
The self-employed who live and work in the following states Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin can take advantage of the Freelancers Union Portable Benefits Network.
Membership in the Freelancers Union is free. Becoming a member offers access to the freelancers yellow pages; job listings; health, life, disability, and dental insurance; discounts and advocacy. To qualify for insurance coverage, freelancers are required to show that they have worked a minimum of 20 hours a week for the last two months or that earnings for the last six months is at least $10,000 dollars. For more information and complete details in becoming a Freelancers Union member, visit the Freelancers Union website.