New York PFL Improvements for 2023
By Karen Hooper | Published September 15, 2022
The New York Department of Financial Services recently released its 2023 updates to the Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. After an evaluation of the financial health of the PFL program, the State has decided that it is able to expand benefits under the program, while reducing the employee contribution rate. The 2023 premium amount will be 0.455% of employee’s gross wages (down from 0.511% in 2022), capped at an annual maximum employee contribution of $399.43 (down from $423.71 in 2022).
New York initially joined the emerging and expanding group of states to offer paid family and medical leave in 2018. The program phased in over a four-year period, and now its benefits and premiums are fully implemented.
For full details, see our prior posts:
Under the New York PFL program, employees are able to take up to 12 weeks of job protected and benefit protected PFL to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or assist loved ones when a family member is deployed on active military service. Employees who need to quarantine or care for a family member during quarantine may also qualify for leave. Effective January 1, 2023, employees will be able to take leave to care for siblings with a serious health condition. This includes biological siblings, adopted siblings, stepsiblings and half-siblings. These family members do not need to reside in New York State (they may even reside outside the country).
The PFL benefit an employee can receive in 2023 remains at 67% of the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW), capped at a maximum weekly benefit of $1,131.08 for 2023 (up from $1,068.36 in 2022). The maximum benefit is calculated based on 67% of the $1,688.19, the New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW) used for 2023 PFL benefit determinations.
New York Paid Family Leave 2023
For more information on New York State Paid Family Leave, visit the New York State Paid Family Leave website. For more information on the 2023 updates visit the New York Paid Family Leave Updates for 2023 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.
