I am part of the growing trend of Americans older than 60 who utilize flexible work opportunities to supplement social security savings, maintain financial freedom, and help care for my family during retirement. With more than 76 million Americans projected to be involved in flexible work in 2024, the number of older independent contractors like me will continue to grow as this kind of work gains popularity. As lawmakers address the worsening national retirement crisis, giving more workers better access to retirement savings for long-term stability must be part of the solution. That’s why we need the Retirement Savings for Americans Act, introduced by our own U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper. This bipartisan bill would give workers like me a new pathway to save for retirement.

A recent AARP study showed older Americans are increasingly turning to gig work, with flexible work hours now a key consideration for 79% of older workers. That’s why I and so many others like me opt to use platforms like DoorDash, which allow people of all ages to earn money whenever and wherever they want. When I’m not looking after my two grandchildren, the additional income I earn through dashing helps cover extra expenses in the months when Social Security checks aren’t enough and allows me to treat my loved ones every so often. The flexibility provided by DoorDash helps me care for my family, earn money without sacrificing my lifestyle, and stay engaged with my community through interactions with merchants and customers.

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Due to outdated laws, the power Americans get from independent work often comes with tradeoffs, including the option to invest in a retirement account, especially one with an employer match. And with more and more workers choosing non-traditional ways to work over the past few years, it’s more important than ever to ensure this growing segment of the population can access basic retirement benefits.

The retirement crisis we’re facing today is rooted in a long history of unequal access to retirement benefits across different income groups and types of employment, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself with the gig economy. That’s why I support the bipartisan legislation proposed by Sen. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Thom Tillis, to give many part-time workers and independent contractors like me the ability to access retirement savings just like my peers who work more traditional jobs.

This bill includes the potential for a matching program to provide a much-needed financial incentive for folks to save for retirement, and unlike some other government-supported  programs, independent contractors wouldn’t have to jump through so many hoops to receive this benefit since companies that work with part-time workers or independent contractors would play a part in facilitating the enrollment process.

For a community that contributes approximately $1.35 trillion in annual earnings to the U.S. economy, it only seems right that independent contractors should be able to access similar retirement savings as those working in more traditional jobs, without having to trade in their independence to do it. And in a country where roughly 15% of the labor force is made up of independent contractors, it’s time to update the laws so workers like me can gain access to retirement savings and other benefits usually out of reach for all but full-time employees.

If passed, this legislation would empower millions of people to achieve financial security post-retirement. It’s time to begin rejecting the expectation that people should only be able to save for retirement if they have a full-time job. In fact, 30% of 18-to-29-year-olds have used a gig platform like DoorDash to make money, more than any other age group, which underscores the need to help this new generation of workers prepare for retirement.

It’s no secret our system has historically overlooked flexible workers, especially in the labor force. The nature of work is quickly changing, and we’re in danger of falling even further behind. Turning retirement savings into an opportunity for all, not just the few in full-time jobs, is a major step in the right direction.

Veronica Leal earns extra income on DoorDash and lives in Littleton