Q: What is the Group Income Program?
A: It’s a nonprofit, community-based income sharing system designed to provide a stable, livable baseline income for all participants while fostering mutual support and experimentation in economic stability.
Q: How is this different from traditional welfare or basic income programs?
A: Unlike government programs, this is a community-managed model. Participants contribute a percentage of their income, receive equitable payouts, and can experiment with affinity groups to share resources more collaboratively.
Q: Is this a cooperative?
A: Not exactly. Philosophically, it embraces cooperative principles, but legally it’s structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofitunder research/education.
Q: Who can join?
A: Individuals who meet program criteria and agree to participate in the income-sharing system. Membership is reviewed annually, and re-entry is managed carefully to maintain program stability.
Q: Can I leave at any time?
A: Yes. If you leave, you keep funds you’ve already received but forfeit future payouts and no longer contribute.
Q: What are affinity groups?
A: Optional subgroups where participants can share additional income above the base program percentage. Affinity groups may pool funds for collective purposes but members can always leave individually.
Q: Can I be in multiple affinity groups?
A: Yes. Contributions can stack, but total contributions cannot exceed 100% of your income.
Q: How much do I contribute?
A: A base percentage of your income (e.g., 10%) goes into the program pool. Affinity groups may require additional contributions.
Q: How are payouts calculated?
A: Payouts are announced annually based on a conservative estimate of program income. All participants receive the same equitable payout, adjusted for international purchasing power (PPP).
Q: How does debt affect contributions?
A: Effective Income (EI) is reduced by debt payments. High-interest debt is treated the same as other debt for simplicity, so your contributions reflect what you actually have available to support the program.
Q: Are contributions tax-deductible?
A: Yes, as part of the IRS-approved research/education nonprofit framework.
Q: Are payouts considered taxable income?
A: No, payouts are part of the research/education program and are not considered income.
Q: How are windfalls handled?
A: Windfalls are not income-taxed, but a wealth-equivalent tax applies (e.g., based on the 4% FIRE rule) to maintain equity and support the program.
Q: Do I need to report personal financial data to the government?
A: No. Your personal finances are private. The program-level finances are fully transparent.
Q: How does the program handle participants in other countries?
A: Payouts are adjusted using the PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) dollar, based on where a participant is living, not citizenship. This ensures equitable access to resources worldwide.
Q: Who makes decisions about the program?
A: A Board of Directors oversees compliance, program integrity, and major policy changes. Operational staff handle day-to-day management. Participants have influence through feedback and optional participation in affinity groups.
Q: Can I provide input on rules or payouts?
A: Yes, through surveys, affinity groups, or direct engagement with program staff.
Group Income Program provides financial stability, community support, and experimentation in shared income systems.
Contributions are percentage-based, equitable, and transparent, with optional affinity groups for extra collaboration.
Participants retain autonomy, including the ability to leave affinity groups or the program at any time.
Program is legally structured as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with contributions tax-deductible and payouts not considered taxable income.
Supports international participation with PPP-adjusted payouts.
Designed for flexibility, safety, and long-term sustainability, with a buffer fund and research-based evaluation metrics.