Massachusetts paid family and medical leave

As of January 2021, most Massachusetts workers were eligible for paid family and medical leave under Massachusetts' Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law. An employer may opt-out of the state program by having a state-approved private plan.

PFML is available to covered individuals who work in Massachusetts, including seasonal workers and Form W-2 individuals who work in Massachusetts both full-time and part-time.

Generally, employment excluded from the state’s unemployment statute, would also be excluded from the state’s PFML law, including: municipalities, districts, political subdivisions, housing authorities, regional school districts, regional planning commissions, railroads, and church/religious organizations. Self-employed individuals can voluntarily opt-in.

Key features

Coverage options	State plan or state approved private plan. Principal^® offers a fully insured private plan option.
Funding	Employers with less than 25 employees, total rate 0.46% 0.28% of employee wages up to the Social Security cap for paid medical leave; employees contribute 100% 0.18% of employee wages up to the Social Security cap for paid family leave; employees contribute 100% Employees cannot be charged more than the state rate. Employers with 25 or more employees, total rate 0.88% 0.70% of employee wages up to the Social Security cap for paid medical leave; employees contribute up to 0.28% and the remaining 0.42% is contributed by the employer. 0.18% of employee wages up to the Social Security cap for paid family leave; employees contribute 100% Employees cannot be charged more than the state rate.
Waiting period	7 calendar days
Benefit	The average weekly wage (AWW) that is equal to or less than 50% of the state average weekly wage (SAWW) is replaced at a rate of 80%; then, the portion of AAW that is more than 50% of SAWW, is replaced at a rate of 50%.
Maximum benefit	$1,170.64/week (effective 1/1/2025).
Benefit duration (within a 52 consecutive week period)	Up to 26 weeks of combined family and medical leave per benefit year, including: 20 weeks for paid medical leave 12 weeks for paid family leave (Up to 26 weeks to care for a covered service member)

Get more information from the State of Massachusetts.

Principal^® has a solution

Submitting a claim

To start a PFML claim in Colorado, complete and submit the claim online.

Or, complete and submit the appropriate PFML claim form:

We’re here to help by offering a state-approved voluntary private plan. When you have other group insurance products with us, it’s easy to add this solution. Plus, you get the same top-level service that comes with any of our products.

You can be assured Principal is committed to offering a private plan that meets your obligation under the paid family and medical leave law as a Massachusetts employer. Our fully insured product is available to employers who offer at least one other qualifying, insured Principal product (group term life , dental, vision, or long-term disability) and have 10 or more employees working in Massachusetts.

Get more information about the private plan solution from Principal.

Reach out

Want to learn more?

Talk to your financial professional to design a benefit offering that meets the specific needs of your business and employees.

Submitting a claim

Footnotes