Yes, Sun Life intends to offer both fully insured and self-insured private plan administration for employers.
By January 1, 2028, most employers will be required to provide Paid Family and Medical Leave to their employees who work in the state of Maryland. The MD PFML program is designed to provide employees with the financial support they need during critical life events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, serious illness, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
Coverage options: Employers can meet their PFML obligation through a state-run program or by offering an equivalent private insurance plan (EPIP).
Sun Life Solutions: Sun Life offers solutions to meet your PFML needs, including the choice of a fully insured EPIP or a self-insured EPIP.
Employers who choose to establish an EPIP through Sun Life receive:
- A coordinated experience between PFML, Short-Term Disability and Absence Management Solutions, if applicable. This leads to a better experience for employees, with one claim submission and a single case manager handling the claim for these benefits
- Robust reporting
- Excellent claims management and access to return to work services
- Compliance guidance on PFML and other leave updates
Key dates
- January 1, 2027 – Payroll contributions begin
- January 1, 2028 – Effective date of equivalent private insurance plans
Frequently asked questions
Yes. While the MD PFML law creates certain paid benefits for leave because of an employee’s own health condition or for covered caregiving reasons, the MD PFML law is not intended to replace benefits provided by employers through Short Term Disability (STD) plans and programs. It is important to know that cancelling STD benefits could leave your employees with a gap in coverage:
- Benefit amount for higher-income employees. The MD PFML max weekly benefit may be insufficient for high-income earners who require greater income replacement.
- Impact of intermittent leave. MD PFML can be taken intermittently so an employee may substantially reduce and/or exhaust their benefits and be left without income replacement protection if they become continuously disabled thereafter.
- STD may offer additional features and benefits. STD policies may include employee-facing features that improve their experience: first-day hospitalization, survivor benefits, and most important, return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation programs. Employees can only access these features if they are approved for STD benefits.
Additional information will be provided when available from the state.
Program highlights
Plan Name |
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) |
|---|---|
Year benefits begin |
January 1, 2028 (Contributions begin January 1, 2027) |
Coverage options |
Private plan, State plan |
Types of private plans allowed |
Fully Insured, Self-Insured (Sun Life offers administrative support for both) |
Employers covered |
All employers with one or more employees working in the state |
Employee eligibility requirements |
To be eligible for benefits, the employee must:
|
Elimination period |
0 days |
Reasons for leave |
|
Benefit duration |
Up to 12 weeks for family and medical leave within a 12-month period
Additional 12 weeks of leave benefits if, in the same application year, the covered employee:
|
Benefit calculation |
|
Maximum weekly benefit |
2028: $1,000 |
Minimum weekly benefit |
$50 |
Social Security wage cap |
|
State rate |
2027: 0.90% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap |
Maximum employee contributions |
Up to 50% of total premium due 2027: 0.45% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap The employer may elect to pay all or any portion of the employee’s share of contributions. |
Employer contributions |
Large employers: (15+ total employees):
Small employers: (14 or fewer total employees):
|
State resource |
Questions?
Contact your Sun Life Employee Benefits Representative or your benefits broker to learn more.
The information on this page is based on our knowledge of the current PFML law and regulations. Content subject to change. This page is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. Employers are encouraged to consult employment law counsel for legal advice.
When available, Sun Life’s MD PFML policies will be issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (SLOC) (Wellesley Hills, MA). When available, Sun Life’s self-insured or administrative-services-only MD PFML service will be administered by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA). This service is not insurance.
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PFMLWC-2196 #1506075573 10/24 (exp. 10/26)