Australia’s superannuation system is widely regarded as one of the most effective retirement programs in the world. Built on compulsory employer contributions, it ensures that nearly all workers accumulate savings throughout their careers. Employers are required to contribute twelve percent of an employee’s wages into superannuation accounts, creating a massive national pool of retirement assets that is carefully regulated and relatively low in fees compared to American 401(k) plans. This system has given Australia one of the strongest retirement savings frameworks globally, but it has not solved every challenge. Gig workers, who are often classified as independent contractors rather than employees, remain on the margins of compulsory contributions. While they can voluntarily open superannuation accounts and contribute themselves, uptake is limited, and many gig workers fail to build meaningful balances. Courts and regulators in Australia have begun debating whether platforms such as Uber should be required to pay super contributions for drivers, but the issue remains unsettled.

In the United States, the retirement landscape for gig workers is even more precarious. Traditional employer‑sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, are voluntary and unevenly distributed. Nearly half of American workers lack access to such plans, and gig workers are disproportionately excluded. Their retirement security depends largely on Social Security, funded through self‑employment tax, and on voluntary savings in IRAs. While Social Security provides a baseline income, benefits are modest and the system itself faces long‑term financing challenges. Gig workers who rely solely on voluntary contributions often struggle to save consistently, leaving them vulnerable to underfunded retirements.

This discussion has gained urgency because President Donald Trump and his administration have said they are actively exploring an Australian‑style retirement program for the United States. Trump has praised Australia’s A$4.1 trillion (US$2.7 trillion) superannuation savings pool as a “good plan” and confirmed that officials are studying whether such a system could strengthen retirement security for American workers. The administration has linked this exploration not only to retirement reform but also to broader demographic and economic concerns, including the long‑term sustainability of Social Security.

If the Australian superannuation model were applied to the United States, gig workers would be a critical test case. One possible adaptation would be to mandate platform contributions, requiring companies such as Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash to pay into retirement accounts on behalf of their workers. Another approach would be to establish universal, portable accounts regulated by the government, ensuring that workers could carry their retirement savings across multiple gigs and employers. Hybrid funding models could also be considered, with government matching contributions for low‑income gig workers to prevent them from falling behind. These reforms would guarantee retirement savings, reduce reliance on Social Security alone, and provide a measure of security for workers who move frequently between jobs.

Yet the challenges are significant. Platforms may resist such mandates, arguing that gig workers are independent contractors rather than employees. Workers themselves might see reduced take‑home pay if contributions are deducted from earnings. Enforcement would be complex in the U.S. legal environment, where labor classification is hotly contested and political consensus is difficult to achieve. Without legal redefinition of gig work and strong political will, compulsory contributions may remain out of reach.

Australia’s superannuation system demonstrates both the opportunities and the obstacles of reform. For gig workers in the United States, adopting such a model would require a fundamental shift in how independent contracting is understood, how retirement accounts are structured, and how contributions are enforced. Without these reforms, gig workers will continue to face retirement insecurity, relying on modest Social Security benefits and voluntary savings that often fall short. With them, however, the U.S. could move toward a more inclusive and stable retirement system, one that recognizes the realities of modern work and ensures that all workers, regardless of employment type, have a path to financial security in old age.