2019 Updates to Paid Family Leave
By Karen Hooper | Published October 25, 2018
New York’s Paid Family Leave Law was passed in 2017 and effective January 1, 2018 with a four-year phase in. For 2019 New York is making the second-year enhancements and changes as proposed in the law. See our 2017 Alert which details the proposed phase-in.
Employees can take paid family leave to bond with a new child, care for a sick family member, or assist loved ones when a family member is deployed on active military service. The number of weeks increases to ten weeks from the current eight weeks in 2019.
The amount an employee can receive is increasing as well to 55% of the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW), capped at a maximum of $746.41. This is projected to index to 60% of the State average weekly wage (SAWW) in 2020.
The employee contribution will change in 2019 to .153% of an employee’s gross wages each pay period. The maximum annual contribution will be $107.97.
For more information on New York State Paid Family Leave, visit the New York State Paid Family Leave website.
Karen Hooper
VP, Senior Compliance Manager
Karen Hooper, CEBS, CMS, Fellow, is a Vice President and Senior Compliance Manager working closely with the Lead Benefit Counsel in Newfront's Employee Benefits division. She works closely with internal staff and clients regarding compliance issues, providing information, education and training.
