Minnesota Paid Leave
Coming Soon for Minnesota Employees
Minnesota employers can access disability benefits through a private plan that meets the requirements of the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. Arch Insurance Group Inc., a market leader in statutory disability and paid family leave markets, may provide private plan insurance to Minnesota employers who wish to use an alternative to the state program.
Minnesota HF2*
Governor Tim Waltz signed HF2 on May 25, 2023, a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) bill that will provide employees up to 20 total aggregate weeks of paid leave per year. The statute applies to all employers, regardless of size or the number of employees in Minnesota. Federal employers, their employees and certain seasonal workers are exempt. Self-employed individuals and independent contractors may opt in to the state plan. Employees who earned at least 5.3% of the state average weekly wage (SAWW) over the prior four quarters prior to taking leave are eligible. Employees may use earnings from multiple employers to satisfy this requirement. Leave may be taken on a continuous or intermittent basis. Employers and employees will split the cost of the state plan 50/50. There is a small business exclusion for employers with fewer than 30 employees, who will pay a reduced amount under the state plan, which the state fund will absorb. Benefits are tiered based on the SAWW — the first 50% of the SAWW is replaced at 90%; the next 50% up to 100% of the SAWW is replaced at 66%; and the balance above 100% of the SAWW is replaced at 55%. Benefits are capped at 100% of the SAWW.
* Minnesota’s PFML program information is subject to change.
What’s Covered Under Minnesota’s PFML Program?
Under the Minnesota PFML program, an eligible employee may take time away from work for:
- Family leave: To care for a family member with a serious health condition or to bond with a new child.
- Medical leave: To care for one’s own serious health condition.
- Safe leave: For employees and family members facing significant personal safety issues.
- Military deployment: To support a family member deploying overseas.
Timetable for Minnesota PFML
| Date (subject to change) | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2026* | State plan contributions begin. Benefits are set to begin. There is no pre-funding of contributions for the state plan. The program will initially be funded through the state general fund. |
| *Proposed Dates |
State Plan Benefit Duration
Under the state plan, up to 12 weeks may be taken for Medical Leave, and another 12 weeks may be taken for all other leave types, subject to an aggregate of 20 weeks of combined total leave within a benefit year.
Except for bonding leave, a claim for benefits must be based on a single qualifying event of at least seven calendar days and must be consecutive unless the leave is intermittent.
Equivalent Private Plan Details
Minnesota employers may apply for private plan exemption approval with the state. The private plan may be self-funded or fully insured and must provide benefits and protections that are the same or greater than those provided by the state.
Why Choose Arch Insurance for Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance?
- Solid Financial Backing: Arch Insurance boasts impressive financial strength, verified by top-notch ratings from credit rating agencies like AM Best, Fitch, and Moody’s.
- Innovative Underwriting: Our underwriting and product development teams employ creativity and analytical rigor to develop solutions that meet unique travel-related needs.
- End-to-End Solutions: From underwriting to claims and customer service, Arch Insurance offers a seamless insurance experience.
- Tech-Driven Transparency: Our investment in technology ensures an accessible and transparent process for clients.
- Award-Winning Customer Service: Our well-tenured, continuously trained customer service team is dedicated to providing exceptional support.
Paid Leave Insurance: Caring for a Sick Family Member
Discover how a paid family leave policy helped a husband support his wife during a critical illness. Arch Insurance offers similar plans to help care for your employees.