Policy Brief: Work and Economic Insecurity in California

California has one of the world's largest economies, but many working Californians do not feel economically secure-they are struggling to pay bills, absorb financial shocks, save for the future, and balance the demands of work and daily life. Why do so many workers struggle to achieve economic security? We gained insights from statewide economic data and from focus group discussions with financially insecure low- and middle-wage workers from diverse demographic, geographic, and political backgrounds.