SoFi Blog

The gig economy has been on the rise for a while now, altering the way people find and perform an increasing number of jobs—from ride-sharing to delivering groceries to consulting on high-level projects.

And as the app-based and online technology that simplifies those transactions evolves—matching workers with the businesses and consumers who need their services—the trend is expected to continue.

But there have been growing pains. Some gig workers and their supporters have raised questions about basic protections and benefits they’ve lost out on because they’re considered independent contractors instead of employees, including overtime pay, paid sick days, and worker’s compensation insurance.

Others say the flexibility many independent workers enjoy can translate to job volatility for those who participate in what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “electronically mediated employment ,” especially those who drive for a living.

Now it seems their voices were heard, at least in California, where a groundbreaking law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September went into effect January 1, 2020. The law is expected to change the way employers treat certain nontraditional workers, but it has seen a lot of push back from companies.

Government analysts, charity supervisors, Peace Corps workers—most likely, these people genuinely care about serving others. But there may be another contributing factor to their career choices: the prospect of having their federal student loans forgiven.

Public service workers with federal student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. As a reward for serving their communities, eligible borrowers may have the remainder of their federal student loans forgiven after they make qualifying payments for 10 years.

President Trump recently introduced his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 , which runs from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. He is recommending numerous changes to the ways the federal government currently spends money, and one of those changes is cutting programs from federal agencies.

Trump’s suggestion to completely eliminate the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program is one of the most controversial parts of his budget proposal.

In our efforts to bring you the latest updates on things that might impact your financial life, we may occasionally enter the political fray, covering candidates, bills, laws and more. Please note: SoFi does not endorse or take official positions on any candidates and the bills they may be sponsoring or proposing. We may occasionally support legislation that we believe would be beneficial to our members, and will make sure to call it out when we do. Our reporting otherwise is for informational purposes only, and shouldn’t be construed as an endorsement.

The ninth Democratic party primary debate took place in Las Vegas Wednesday night, giving six candidates the chance to speak before the Nevada Democratic caucus on Saturday, February 22nd.

Primary elections had already occurred in Iowa and New Hampshire. The Associated Press was unable to declare an official winner in Iowa, but Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg split the delegates, with Sanders taking the popular vote. Sanders won the New Hampshire primary election, making him the frontrunner before Wednesday’s debate.

The days of poring over a dense Barron’s catalog of colleges and universities to find the right school are gone. Today, we announced a new partnership with Edmit , the company that helps families make smarter financial decisions about college, to set up college-bound students and their families with the tools and resources needed to help simplify the college selection and financial aid process.

When you think about retiring, you may imagine yourself lounging on a beach of sparkling sand with a fruity drink in your hand and a wide variety of amenities available to you. Or you might picture moving near where your grandchildren live so you can spend plenty of time going to their sports games, musical concerts, and more.

Or, as another option, you might envision moving to where the cost of living is low, so your money can go towards traveling the world. You might dream of upsizing to the home you’ve always wanted, or perhaps you’re thinking about simplifying during your retirement years. You might want to buy an RV and spend this time of your life on the road!

Where to live in retirement depends largely upon your goals, and what’s perfect for you might not interest someone else at all. In this post, we’ll share information about what to consider in a retirement spot and what some of the most popular retirement spots are, and offer a blueprint to help you create your own unique plan.

We’ll also talk about the linchpin of whatever retirement plan you’re creating: the ability to fund it.