LATEST NEW YORK STATE PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFITS ANNOUNCED

STA members should remain cognizant of the rates and requirements of the New York State Paid Family Leave Law.

The New York State Paid Family Leave Law which was enacted in 2017 impacts STA members, no matter the size of your company.  This law, which became effective for private employers earlier this year, provides for paid time off for employees to care for the birth or adoption of a child, serious health condition of a family member, or a qualified military exigency.  This benefit is covered through a weekly payroll deduction from your employees.

Recently, New York State Department of Financial Services recently announced the Paid Family Leave Benefit amounts and employee contribution rates for 2019.  The mandated benefits, which are being phased in over four years, increase in January, 2019 to 10 weeks, and increase to 12 weeks by 2021.  The Paid Family Leave wage replacement benefit increases this coming January to a maximum weekly benefit for 2019 of $746.41, which is 55% of the statewide average weekly wage of $1,357.11.  By 2021, this benefit will increase to 67% of the average weekly wage.

The employee contribution rate will increase for the current rate of 0.126% of gross wages to 0.153% of gross weekly wages up to the State’s average weekly wage.  This will bring the maximum annual employee contribution to $107.97.

The STA will continue to keep you updated on any additional changes to rules and rates of this state law.