First-of-its-kind program allows Shipt to contribute funds into portable benefits accounts that shoppers with Shipt can use to support their financial goals while maintaining work schedule flexibility
Today, Shipt is thrilled to announce the launch of the first portable benefits program in Alabama, offering thousands of Alabama shoppers access to additional benefits—without compromising the flexibility they love.
Starting October 1, Alabama shoppers can begin qualifying to open a Stride Save1 account with the portable benefits platform, Stride. The first quarterly qualification period runs from October 1 to December 31, 2025, just in time for the new Alabama Portable Benefits Act to take effect and pave the way for shoppers to begin receiving contributions as soon as January 2026.
Flexible Benefits for Flexible Work
Work is evolving, and benefits should evolve, too. Through a portable benefits model, app-based companies like Shipt can contribute funds to a worker’s account that can be used toward benefits such as health, dental, or vision insurance, and even nontraditional benefits like retirement savings or tuition reimbursement.
Since portable benefits aren’t tied to a specific company, workers—who typically earn across multiple apps—can take benefit funds accrued from one platform and combine them with those earned on others. This allows workers access to benefit contributions without traditional employment restrictions.
Meeting Worker Needs In Alabama
Flexibility and the freedom to choose when, where, and how often to work are critical for so many shoppers and drivers with Shipt, with more than 90 percent preferring flexibility over a set schedule and hours. Shoppers and drivers overwhelmingly prefer to maintain flexibility as independent contractors with the option to accrue portable benefits over being an employee with a standard benefits package.2
Now, eligible Alabama shoppers earning with Shipt can qualify to receive contributions from Shipt equivalent to 4% of their pre-tip earnings. They can then use these tax-deductible contributions to purchase benefits that matter most to them, without jeopardizing their ability to earn on their own terms.3
“We hear it from shoppers and drivers all the time: nothing beats a flexible work schedule,” said Mindy Reher, vice president of experiential operations at Shipt. “As a people-centric company, we take pride in finding innovative solutions to offer workers on our platform greater access, choice, and security in how they work. Alabama shoppers can now further build toward their financial goals without compromising on the flexibility they get from earning on the Shipt platform.”
“Alabama has accelerated Portable Benefits policy by becoming the first state to make contractor benefits both legal and tax-deductible,” said Noah Lang, Co-founder and CEO at Stride. “By creating tax parity between this modern benefits system and our country’s outdated employee-only system, Alabama has also created fresh incentives for companies to contribute to independent workers’ benefits. Shipt has wasted no time in being the first to do so in Alabama, and Stride is thrilled to expand our programs to support them in doing so.”
Building Lawmaker Support
Alabama passed groundbreaking legislation earlier this year to allow for portable benefits contributions in the state. That bipartisan bill—SB 86, the Portable Benefits Act—makes it possible for companies and workers to contribute to portable benefit accounts in a way that’s both voluntary and tax-advantaged.
"This moment marks a historic milestone for Alabama’s workforce,” said State Sen. Arthur Orr, chief sponsor of the Alabama Portable Benefits Bill, SB 86. “Thousands of Alabama independent contractors now have voluntary access to benefit contributions and a wide array of benefits to further secure their financial independence and support their families. This is about empowering people to build their own financial safety nets in a flexible, modern economy.”
Rep. Neil Rafferty, who championed the companion bill in the House, added, “This bipartisan effort recognizes that work is changing, and our laws must change with it. Alabama is now a leading voice in the nation, allowing portable benefits contributions that are fully tax-deductible for both businesses and workers. That incentive not only brings real economic value, but sends the message: independent workers matter in this state.”
Following a successful pilot program in Utah, Shipt looks forward to launching in our home state and hopes to inspire other states to pass meaningful legislation that further supports flexible work and flexible benefit options.
1Shoppers must earn $750 or more, before tips, during a qualification window to qualify. Stride Savings LLC is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services are provided by i3 Bank, Member FDIC. The Stride Mastercard Debit Card is issued by i3 Bank pursuant to a license from Mastercard, Inc. and may be used anywhere Mastercard cards are accepted.
2Based on a 2024 survey of 5,000 shoppers and drivers with Shipt.
3Shipt will contribute 4% (up to $300) of eligible shoppers’ pre-tip earnings per qualification window. Shoppers who do not create their Stride Save account and/or do not sign up to receive funds within 30 days after the end of the qualifying period will forfeit any potential Shipt contribution from that qualifying period.
