MA PFML: 2024 Annual Report and Updates to Benefit/Rates for 2025

There have been updates to Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave rates and benefits amount just released by the DFML!

• The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 will be $1,170.64 per weke
• The contribution rate on eligible wages remains at 0.88%

Make sure to update payroll if you havent and get new notices to employees! A few helpful calculators

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Notices to Employees

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2024 ANNUAL REPORT

Quick reminder on the legislation:

The Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program provides eligible workers with financial support and job protection when they need to take time off for family or medical reasons. Employees can access benefits for various reasons, including caregiving for a family member, bonding with a new child, or recovering from a personal illness or injury. The program aims to offer temporary income replacement and ensure employees can prioritize their health and family responsibilities without financial hardship.

We are going into the 4th year and the annual report gives a snapshot of how the benefits are being used, who is using them, and what we can expect financially in the future!

Claims Filed

• Applications approved for medical leave: 115,394 (64.26% of total approved applications)
• Medical leave for one’s own serious health condition, other than medical leave related to childbirth or pregnancy, accounted for 51.43% of approved applications (92,354 approved applications)
• Medical leave associated with recovery from childbirth or pregnancy accounted for 12.83% of approved applications (23,040 approved applications)
• Applications approved for family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition: 21,054 (11.73% of total approved applications)

Claims Filed by Age & Gender

Covered individuals are required to disclose demographic information for age to DFML. In FY24 the primary age group for covered individuals was the 31-40 range, which accounted for 36.88% of the total approved covered individuals.

Covered individuals are not required to disclose demographic information for gender to DFML. In FY24, 61.09% (71,563) of covered individuals identified as female, 36.11% (42,302) of covered individuals identified as male, 2.55% (2,990) of covered individuals preferred not to answer, and 0.25% (297) identified as non-binary.

Occupation

Covered individuals who were approved for paid leave worked in a wide variety of industries. The top industries are listed below. This data is derived from occupational information that employers self-disclosed to the Department of Unemployment Assistance.

Application Processing Time

To apply for paid leave benefits, a covered individual must submit an application and upload supporting documentation. The application is then sent to their employer, which has 10 business days to review and respond. After the employer responds or the 10 business days have lapsed, the application is adjudicated by DFML, and a decision is reached within 14 business days.

• The average response time from employers was 2.61 calendar days.
• The median initial determination (from application submission to initial decision) was 13 calendar days, which was a four full calendar day reduction from the FY23 median initial determination time. The median final determination (from application submission to final decision, including the appeal process) was 18 calendar days, which was a nine full calendar day reduction from the FY23 median final determination time.

Employer Reimbursement**

These are important statistics for employers to know**

Employers may qualify for reimbursement of benefits paid to their employees on or after January 1, 2021, if they offer a paid temporary disability, family or medical leave policy, or an extended illness leave bank that provides equal or more generous benefits than those provided under the PFML law.

In FY24 DFML paid out a total of $1,666,335.92 in family and medical leave reimbursements across 58 employers.

• $844,272.25 for family leaves
• $822,063.67 for medical leaves

Make sure to apply for reimbursement if you are an eligible employer!!

Best Practices for Managing Leave

Employers face significant challenges when managing leave policies across multiple states due to the intricate web of regulations and compliance requirements. Each state may have its own set of laws regarding paid leave, sick leave, family medical leave, and other types of time-off benefits, leading to a complex patchwork of rules that must be navigated. Ensuring consistency and equity across different locations can be difficult, as requirements may vary widely from one state to another.

Ask for a download ot our Multi-State Leave Policy Guide!

Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding this article!

Jeff Bastien

Principal, Apex Benefits