Latest news with #GenZ
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Social security funds are running out, new data shows
Social security funds are running out, new data shows originally appeared on TheStreet. The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance trust funds are projected to deplete their assets by 2033, as stated in the Social Security Board of Trustees' annual 2025 report. At that time, only about 77% of scheduled benefits will be payable. The projected depletion year for the combined Social Security trust funds is 2034, at which time only 81% of the benefits will be payable. Similarly, the Hospital Insurance fund of the Medicare program is projected to be depleted as soon as 2033. This emerging retirement insecurity is prompting many younger Americans, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, to explore alternatives beyond conventional savings, as per reports dated April 2025. The survey also found that 20% of respondents from Gen Z and Generation Alpha would accept their pension in whole or in part in cryptocurrency, with 78% of respondents trusting alternative retirement savings options more. Furthermore, 60% of Gen Z and millennials plan to increase their crypto holdings, and two-thirds aim to expand their investments; over half of them already allocate retirement assets to cryptocurrencies. With 62% of respondents intending to engage in Fidelity's crypto-oriented IRA, the future holds a closer integration of cryptocurrency in retirement strategies. With 21% of Americans already dedicating more savings to crypto than to conventional stocks, almost half of Americans allocate a sizable amount—10% to 20%—of their retirement money to cryptocurrencies. However, enthusiasm for cryptocurrency hasn't been matched by mainstream financial professionals and regulators, including the U.S. Department of Labor, which has warned against using cryptocurrency for retirement accounts, citing concerns about volatility, fraud, and valuation issues, according to Investopedia. Retirement advisor Ric Edelman recently advised holding crypto of about 10% to 40% as a small part of a retirement portfolio. Social security funds are running out, new data shows first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Steffi Graf flipped the script—and now women everywhere are asking the same question
It happened in the middle of a match. Wimbledon. Summer of '96. The crowd was hushed, the air electric, and Steffi Graf was in the zone—until a man from the stands suddenly yelled, 'Steffi, will you marry me?' Now, this is where you expect the tennis legend to laugh nervously, maybe blow a kiss, or politely ignore the outburst like most celebs do. But Graf? She didn't miss a beat. She turned toward the crowd, raised an eyebrow, and asked the only question that truly matters: 'How much money do you have?' Mic. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Drop. It's been nearly three decades since that cheeky comeback, and yet, somehow, it's having a viral second wind in 2025. The clip has resurfaced (again) on Instagram and TikTok, with Gen Z reacting like it's fresh-off-the-court sass. The comments range from 'Queen behavior' to 'Iconic tennis serve AND verbal serve,' and honestly? They're not wrong. Because in just five words, Graf gave us a meme-worthy moment and flipped the gender script on centuries of romantic clichés. And now, women everywhere are rethinking the age-old fairytale proposal. Flowers? Cute. Diamonds? Sure. But 'How much money do you have?' — that hits different. Love is cute. But can love pay rent? Let's face it: women have been taught to prioritize romance while being expected to stay humble, polite, and most importantly, grateful when someone—anyone—asks for their hand in marriage. The bar has been so low, it's basically underground. Enter Steffi Graf, with her perfect blend of poise and sarcasm, doing what most women wish they could do when a man with zero context offers his 'forever' like it's a coupon. Her question wasn't about being a gold digger. It was about flipping the narrative. For years, women have been evaluated by their looks, homemaking potential, waist-to-hip ratios, or whether they can cook biryani from scratch. Graf turned that lens right back. You want to marry me? Sweetheart, what are you bringing to the table—besides your vocal cords and wishful thinking? Is financial compatibility the new love language? Let's talk facts. Love is amazing. But so is stability, safety, and shared financial values. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In today's economy (where eggs cost more than gossip), it's no surprise that women are getting more candid about money in relationships. And while Graf was clearly joking, the message behind her words resonates in 2025 louder than ever. Social media is now flooded with relationship 'green flags' and 'icks,' and guess what's trending? Financial responsibility. Not riches, not Ferraris, not private jets—but clarity. Budgeting. Retirement plans. The ability to split a bill without passive-aggressive sighs. Steffi Graf's playful jab may have been decades early, but it predicted the cultural shift: Women don't want vague promises. They want partners who are emotionally intelligent—and financially literate. If men can ask 'Can you cook?', women can ask 'Can you budget?' We've heard it all. 'What's your body count?' 'Do you wear makeup every day?' 'Can you clean?' These are the kinds of questions women have endured on dates, job interviews (yes, really), and family dinners. But the second a woman inverts the question—asks about money, ambition, or retirement savings—suddenly she's 'too much,' 'not romantic,' or worse, 'intimidating.' Steffi Graf didn't giggle or shy away. She shot her shot. And women today? They're learning to do the same. In fact, 'money talk' is becoming a dating milestone. First date: favorite food. Third date: star sign. By date five: 'So... what's your credit score?' Not sexy? Maybe. But necessary? Absolutely. From courtside sass to cultural shift Let's not forget—this was Steffi Graf in her prime. World No. 1. Multiple Grand Slams. She was an icon not just because of her game, but because she knew her worth. And in that moment, her response wasn't just funny—it was strategic. It reasserted control, rewrote the rules, and did it with a wink. It's easy to imagine the same moment today: Serena, Iga, or Coco on court, and some guy yells a public proposal. The difference now is—we expect them to clap back. The internet has made wit and confidence a daily requirement for women who live in the spotlight. And Graf? She was decades ahead of her time. So, what now? Are we saying every woman should ask about her date's bank balance before ordering appetizers? Not exactly. But we are saying it's high time women stopped pretending money doesn't matter. It's not unromantic to want a partner who's stable. It's not superficial to ask real questions. It's not wrong to say, 'I bring a lot to the table—do you?' Because here's the thing: Graf didn't marry that guy in the stands. She married Andre Agassi. Tennis royalty. Multiple titles. Probably had a solid financial planner. Coincidence? Maybe. But also, maybe not. In a world of loud love songs and 'forever' promises, Steffi Graf gave us a line worth framing: 'How much money do you have?' Not as a demand. Not as a test. But as a reminder: love is lovely—but partnership is power. And that power? It's way sexier than a diamond ring.
4 hours ago
- Politics
How Black conservative leaders aim to build the next generation in Washington
Seeking to harness what it sees as the momentum of the 2024 presidential election, the Black Conservative Federation is launching a two-day summit in Washington, D.C., next month aimed at bringing together Black conservatives and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The inaugural Black Conservative Federation Solution Summit will be held July 11-12, bringing together elected officials, influencers, policy experts and strategists for what organizers hope will be a series of "bold, solution-driven conversations" on the most urgent issues facing Black America today. "In this spirit of forward momentum during the Trump Administration, we are investing in the next generation of Black leaders who will define the future of our communities, our culture, and our country," Diante Johnson, the group's president and founder, said in a statement to ABC News. Johnson previously served as the Trump campaign's North Carolina regional field director in 2016 and was a member of the Black Voices for Trump Advisory Board during the 2020 campaign. The summit comes after President Donald Trump made modest gains with Black voters nationwide in 2024, especially among young Black men, a key demographic for Democrats, according to the Associated Press. Black voters made up about 1 in 10 voters nationally in the last 2024 presidential election. Although roughly 8 in 10 Black voters supported Vice President Kamala Harris, that marked a dip from the roughly 9 in 10 who backed President Joe Biden just four years earlier. Trump, meanwhile, nearly doubled his support from 2020 among Black men under the age of 45 -- with about 3 in 10 backing him in 2024, compared to just 1 in 10 in 2020. The summit will focus on six key topics: artificial intelligence and its role in shaping the future; criminal justice reform and policy transformation; cryptocurrency and Black economic empowerment; strengthening the Black family; navigating modern cultural debates; and Gen Z's influence in politics and media. While several members of the Black Conservative Federation have gone on to work in the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement, organizers say the event is about more than short-term wins. It is designed to foster long-term talent and leadership development across the country, they say. "We are not only honoring the legacy of freedom, we're building on it. By mentoring emerging voices and expanding access to civic engagement, we're carrying the torch of progress with purpose," Johnson said. Among the featured speakers at the summit are Lynne Patton, deputy assistant to the president and director of minority outreach at the White House; Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas; Anne Marie Wiley, former cast member of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"; Alex Smith, deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department; and Janiyah Thomas, former Black media director for the Trump campaign. The Trump "pardon czar" Alice Johnson will also be speaking to the group as will Death Row Records founder Michael Harris. Several high-profile Black conservative influencers are also slated to participate, including CJ Pearson, Xavier DuRousseau and members of The Carter Family, who stream videos on YouTube. The Black Conservative Federation was initially founded as a political networking group for Black conservatives but has since expanded its mission to focus on diversifying the conservative movement and promoting conservative principles. The group emphasizes its work in political advocacy, outreach and civic engagement. Trump addressed the group during a Black History Month event in 2024, signaling a rise in the group's visibility within MAGA-era Republican circles. Its leadership includes Rep. Byron Donalds, who serves as chairman, and former NFL player Jack Brewer, the organization's current co-chairman.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Men in ads need more nuanced portrayal
Brands riding on Father's Day celebrations last Sunday launched their print and digital campaigns to capitalize on emotions linked to the occasion to influence customers. Companies, across categories, that released special communication marking Father's Day included SBI Life, Instamart, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, Myntra, De Beers and Zomato among others. The Zomato campaign stood out for its storytelling and collaboration with other leading digital brands, said communications strategy consultant Karthik Srinivasan. While Zomato, Blinkit and District are part of the same company, other apps which collaborated on the ad included Urban Company, Uber and Spotify. Its quintessential message was that 'Appa' (dad) works harder than all these apps put together as he repairs home appliances, sings lullabies and transports his child on his two-wheeler. 'The caring father evokes the sentiment that before you used apps to do things, there was only 'Appa,' Srinivasan said. Diamond company De Beers' print ad was a hand-written note of appreciation from a GenZ daughter to her dad thanking him for starting to understand her lingo, binge-watching K-dramas with her and accepting her fashion sense. 'Not just in Father's Day campaigns, but usually brands showcase only the ideal version of men in ads. Unlike in films, there is no place for a hero or a villain in advertising,' Srinivasan said. Toxic masculinity may be on display in films like 'Kabir Singh' or 'Animal' since movies reflect at least some reality while ads are aspirational, he added. Lately though, the depiction of men in advertising and films has become a subject of great debate. Based on research by Kantar, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Academy released a report in March titled 'Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask, in collaboration with the Unstereotype Alliance and Religious Brands. 'Today, masculinity -- and the patriarchal structures that organise society -- are facing a crisis… Simultaneously, women are rising as equals and competitors,' the report said. In certain categories like e-commerce, tech, and menswear, there's a more evolved depiction of men -- softer, more caring, and less driven by ego. 'However, this seems to be a re-working of the traditional gentleman role, rather than a substantial challenge to the predictable man script. Some of these narratives that, at first glance, seem progressive, may also create more pressure by asking men to live up to both the protector and the caregiver, instead of un-stereotyping masculinity,' it said. Srinivas noted that the nearly 30 Father's Day ads he saw, pitched dad as the caregiver and provider, with no new thought. Ekta Relan, chief strategy officer, Saatchi & Saatchi India, agreed that the archetypical father ads, except Zomato, were underwhelming. The ASCI Academy report focused on the 'crisis' in traditional masculinity, with men feeling increasingly alienated, insecure and confused owing to societal changes and rise in gender equality. It sought a nuanced approach to depicting men in ads given the pressures they are facing. At a webinar organised by the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) on the same theme, Ekta Relan said that the reasons for men's identity crisis are rooted in women's empowerment journey over decades. 'In redefining the role of a woman, a man's role at home, in the family and society also got redefined. And they aren't conditioned for it,' she said. One response to this identity crisis was the resurgence of the alpha male seen in films like 'Animal'. 'The other was masculinity taking pride in sharing the load,' Relan said. For decades, there was a hero who never died, a father who never changed diapers and a professional who never failed. 'But now we see a father tearing up at his daughter's graduation ceremony and a CEO posting about his anxiety on social media,' she said. When 'Animal' succeeds, it raises questions about their real identity. But Relan said the future of masculinity isn't singular. 'Variations will co-exist which is an opportunity for brands. They must choose and sharply project the core of masculinity they want to represent because a male consumer today is not choosing a product, but an identity,' she said.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Can new collar gig jobs be a game-changer for fresh graduates
Gig means 'informal'. Gig workers are typically freelancers or independent contractors hired for specific tasks or projects, rather than as full time employees. Whenever we hear the word 'Gig Jobs ', what readily come to our minds are the temporary blue collar workers using platforms like Uber, Ola, Urban, Flipkart etc. But in reality, the scope of gig work is far wider, ranging from platform-driven blue collar jobs, white collar knowledge workers, and going up to 'skills-only' new age jobs that are called 'New Collar Jobs'. Developed countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia have integrated gig work more deeply into their economies. According to Upwork's Freelance Forward report (2024), 38% of the U.S. workforce is freelancers, with 79% of them holding minimum Bachelors degree and 47% of them providing knowledge services in sectors like IT, consulting and marketing. An unprecedented digital transformation of the job market fueled by AI coupled with continuation of remote working in the IT sector has produced a number of new-age jobs requiring cutting-edge skills. Just-in-time availability and substantial cost advantage are compelling companies to recruit such freelancers. As per a recent report by TeamLease, only 10% of about 1.5 million engineering students that graduate in 2025 are expected to secure full time jobs in corporates during the year, due to automation of entry level jobs, slowdown of economy and skill-related factors. The situation is not likely to change for the better in the near future. In this environment, the emerging job market for gig sector white collar and new collar jobs presents an alternative career path . In the prevailing context, this article examines the attractiveness of the sector for fresh engineering graduates and career pathways that can be planned in short term as well as long term, challenges faced in this process and how they can be addressed by the stakeholders. White collar gigs As per FlexingIt's report on Changing Global Workforce Models, despite global uncertainty and a sluggish job market, demand for independent professionals rose 38% in 2024-25 driven by the need for specialist skills, quicker turnaround and flexibility in deployment. Demand for freelancers cuts across business functions and sectors with technology services leading at 25% (AI related projects contributing about 10%), followed by strategy (15%) and finance (11%). Besides this, 25% of freelance projects are independent of location and can be outsourced. A generational shift is underway as a number of millennials and Gen Z are preferring organisations and jobs that offer autonomy, flexibility and work-life balance from the outset. No wonder, 38% of the white collar gig workers worldwide are women. The Indian market As traditional job markets get reshaped due to automation and become increasingly competitive, many fresh graduates are turning to gig jobs, as a viable entry point into the workforce. India currently has over 10 million gig workers in sectors such as software, professional services, digital marketing, healthcare, and media. This workforce is expected to grow to 23.5 million by 2030, as per a NITI Aayog report. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major driver of new job creation and transformation. India's AI job market is expected to grow by 20% in 2025 and the integration of AI into the gig economy is creating new opportunities for engineering graduates, particularly in data science, machine learning, and automation. As per a NASSCOM report, by 2027, 40% of IT work in India could be gig-based and 25% of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) will recruit gig workers. New collar jobs are not limited to IT, as other sectors like banking, insurance, healthcare, and even traditional industries such as oil and gas are increasingly seeking tech-savvy engineers for digital transformation roles. As per Foundit Insights Tracker (April 2025), India's gig job market has been witnessing robust expansion, recording a 17% year-on-year growth in 2024-25. Most of the gig professionals are placed through company-led models across Indian corporates like TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech, Fractal and Wipro (28% share), MNCs like IBM,JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Google, Microsoft and Meta (12%), startups (8%), and others (18%). Balance 34% are placed through consultants including staffing firms and freelance platforms. The demand for gig workers is particularly strong in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related roles, which make up 68% of total gig opportunities, underscoring the increasing reliance on skilled professionals in technology, management, and data science-driven sectors. Moreover, freshers with specialised technical expertise are in high demand, with gig-based hiring in fields like AI, data science, and cloud computing, which grew by 32% over the previous year. The steep growth in GCCs has been witnessing increased reliance on gig professionals, as a key part of their hiring strategy. As per a recent LinkedIn survey, 85% of the GCCs are focused on a skills-first approach for recruitment. Outsourcing opportunities Due to cost-effectiveness and a large English-speaking workforce, Indian gig workers are in demand for firms in the U.S. and Europe for outsourcing jobs like AI/ML data annotation, AI ethics, prompt engineering, data analytics, application prototyping and digital marketing campaign management. The National Capital Region (NCR) with a 26% share and Mumbai ( 18%) are the major gig hubs, followed by Bengaluru (12%), Hyderabad (11%) and Chennai (8%). Income trends and platforms The gig economy in India offers a diverse range of earning opportunities, with the largest share of 40% of jobs in the income range of ₹3-6 lakh per annum (LKA) followed by 36% in less-than-₹ 3 lakh per annum, 16% in ₹6-10 lakh range and balance 8% in the over ₹10 LKA bracket, reflecting the dominance of entry-level and mid-skilled roles. There has been a significant growth in skilled gig professionals, particularly in IT consulting, data analytics, and project management, commanding ₹6-10 LPA salaries, highlighting the demand for advanced technical and strategic skills. As businesses continue to integrate gig talent into their regular workforce strategies, the scope for premium skill sets and specialised expertise is expected to grow, driving greater earning potential in the future. As the gig economy continues to grow, businesses will increasingly rely on specialized online platforms that cater to specific industries, such as healthcare, design, technology, and marketing. These AI-driven platforms match workers with highly tailored skills to project-based opportunities, enhancing the quality of work, while streamlining the hiring process. An estimated 200 million women in India are estimated to be unemployed or under-employed due to rigid work formats and personal commitments. In order to address this gap, Swati Nelabhatula, a techie turned entrepreneur recently created a platform, SITHA, for women gig workers. Career growth for gig professionals While the gig sector could be an entry level career opportunity, gig professionals, over a period of time, can look forward to multiple career growth choices, depending on their interests and career aspirations. Many successful startups are founded by professionals, who started as freelancers , leveraging their experience and networking with the client base. Work experience thus gained also enables the graduates to build a strong skill base, making them attractive to corporate recruiters. Some gig professionals pursue higher studies, while working. Irrespective of the career option selected, it can be a rewarding career journey of earn-while-you-learn. Gig jobs offer flexibility in terms of the projects, clients, skills, and working hours and can also suit those pursuing further studies or career exploration. They also provide exposure to international clients in diverse industries, without the need for relocation. For those with 'Portfolio Career Mindset', they offer the choice of multiple income generating roles, simultaneously, depending on interest, skills and convenience. Top freelancers with the right skills can earn more than salaried peers. Challenges The biggest challenge in gig jobs is lack of assured income and job security, as they are temporary, project-based work, without social security benefits like PF, ESI, or health insurance. There is also the risk of credibility of the clients and possibility of delayed payments on platforms. Income growth depends on self upskilling, in alignment with the skills in demand. It depends entirely on the gig professional to manage his or her career growth. Need to ensure sustainability of gig economy In view of the excellent opportunity the gig sector presents in upskilling the youth to make them employable and contribute to the economic growth, all the concerned stakeholders - Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), industry and government- need to play an active role to address the challenges and make it sustainable, scalable as well as viable. HEIs need to prepare students for gig roles by including modules on freelancing, digital marketing and financial literacy, besides imparting contemporary skills as a part of the curriculum, and conduct credit-based evaluation of the gig projects. They should collaborate with the industry to provide gig platforms and startups for short live project opportunities. Students should be encouraged to use platforms like GitHub, Dribbble and Kaggle to showcase their skills through live projects. They should set up mentoring and counseling support and also recognize top-performers. BITS, Pilani has introduced a module on Freelancing, whereas IIT Madras has tied up with Zoho for gig internships A number of companies, both Indian IT firms and MNCs, have already created dedicated gig platforms for engineers and have been offering micro-internships and gig projects to the students. They maintain pools of vetted freelancers for just-in-time hiring and created talent pipelines, offering regular employment to the well performing gig professionals. They also provide upskilling opportunities for the enrolled gig workers. TCS curated the Ion Digital Marketplace as the gig platform for cloud & AI freelancers wherein over 15,000 gig workers have been onboarded so far and about 40% of the top performers were absorbed into their projects. Wells Fargo, the U.S. banking MNC set up 'Gig Talent Pool' to hire Indian freelancers for fraud analytics and AI jobs. Government policies Recognising that the gig workforce is a vital pillar of India's new-age economy, driving innovation and efficiency across digital platforms, the Government of India announced during the 2025-26 budget that it has decided to provide them with identity cards, e-Shram registration, and healthcare security under PM Jan Arogya Yojana, as a transformative step towards their social security and well-being. This initiative is expected to empower nearly 10 million gig workers. A pilot initiative has already been undertaken by the Ministry of Labour & Employment to register platform workers and aggregators on the e-Shram portal. The Karnataka government has established a Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Board to provide social security and welfare benefits to gig workers in the state. More States are expected to follow suite in due course. India, with its large education and skilling ecosystem, has the potential to emerge as a Global Gig Hub for new-collar skills, which will power the future global economy. In order to realise it, the Government of India may consider setting up a Gig India Mission and formulate strategies and action plans and implement the same in a mission mode. Conclusion The New Collar gig economy presents not merely an attractive alternative but also a complementary pathway for the engineering graduates to acquire and harness the new-age skills. With the right policy interventions, academic reforms, and industry collaboration, gig careers can evolve from short-term sustenance models to long-term rewarding professional careers, offering opportunities for higher income, growth, and innovation to India's young talent. It is a golden opportunity for India to leverage the demographic dividend for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047 by way of right skilling the youth. (Prof (Dr) O R S Rao is the Chancellor of the ICFAI University, Sikkim. Views are personal )
