Beginning on January 1, 2020, updates to the New York Paid Family Leave (PFL) law will go into effect. The changes to the law are as follows:
- Employees taking PFL will now get 60% of their average weekly wage. This amount will be capped at 60% of the current statewide average weekly wage. Therefore, the maximum weekly benefit an employee will receive has increased from $746.41 to $840.70 per week;
- The employee contribution rate will increase from 0.1535% to 0.270% of the employee’s gross wages each pay period. The maximum annual employee contribution will increase from $107.97 to $196.72;
- Employees will receive benefits based upon the year in which their PFL began. For example, an employee that begins leave in 2019 that carries over into 2020 is not eligible for the increased 2020 benefits.
Looking Ahead
The number of weeks of eligible leave for employees in 2020 will remain at 10 weeks; however, this will increase to 12 weeks in 2021. Additionally, in 2021 the benefit will increase to 67% of the employee’s average weekly wage, up to a cap of 67% of the statewide average weekly wage.
We think that your PFL insurance carriers will make most of the 2020 adjustments automatically. But, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. FAQs can be found at https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/2020.
Written by Julie Sitler and Desiree Saad