Once again, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) updated its Paid Family Leave (PFL) employee premium rate and benefit level information for 2022.
For 2022, the PFL benefit level will remain at 67% of an employee’s wages for up to 12 weeks. However, the statewide average weekly wage will increase from $1,450.17/week to $1,594.57/week. This means that the maximum PFL benefit in 2022 will be $1,068.36/week (up from $971.61/week in 2021).
Additionally, although the employee premium rate will remain at 0.511% of gross wages, the maximum annual employee contribution will be capped at $423.71/year (up from $385.34/year in 2021).
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COMPARISON OF PFL PROGRAM BENEFITS AND RATES 2018-2022 |
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Weeks of PFL Available |
Statewide Average Weekly Wage |
Benefit Rate |
Maximum Weekly Benefit |
Premium Rate |
Maximum Annual Employee Contribution |
|
|
2018 |
8 |
$1,305.92 |
50% |
$652.96 |
0.126% |
$85.56 |
|
2019 |
10 |
$1,357.11 |
55% |
$746.41 |
0.153% |
$107.97 |
|
2020 |
10 |
$1,401.17 |
60% |
$840.70 |
0.270% |
$196.72 |
|
2021 |
12 |
$1,450.17 |
67% |
$971.61 |
0.511% |
$385.34 |
|
2022 |
12 |
$1,594.57 |
67% |
$1,068.36 |
0.511% |
$423.71 |
To prepare for the 2022 changes, employers will want to coordinate with their payroll providers to make sure that the new employee contribution cap will be applied beginning January 1, 2022. To the extent any written employment policy documents include the specific PFL benefit or deduction levels, employers will also need to consider updating this information for 2022.
The Department of Financial Service’s full publication announcing its decision on the premium rate for Paid Family Leave Benefits and the maximum employee contribution for coverage is available here: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/health_insurers/pfl_rate_decision_2022
Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment attorneys are here to answer any questions you may have regarding these changes or New York’s Paid Family Leave Benefits Law generally. Please contact any Labor and Employment team member at 585.232.6500 or 716.853.1616.