Sun Life US has broadened the scope of its family leave insurance (FLI) proposition, now including Florida among the states where FLI will be available for quoting from April, with plans for further expansion. Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas were previously announced as the markets to benefit from the insurer’s FLI product.
The expansion is part of Sun Life’s strategy to enhance access to paid leave benefits for workers across the US, thereby allowing employers to offer the important benefit more readily. Sun Life has actively supported initiatives for paid leave, collaborating with state-level programs to integrate a private insurance option and backing the recent legislative effort by Senators Deb Fischer and Angus King, aimed at increasing the reach of the employer paid leave tax credit.
The company’s FLI offering is designed to comply with the existing tax credit framework and adapt to future legislative adjustments.
David Healy, president of group benefits at Sun Life US, emphasized the importance of accessible paid leave, stating: “We believe every worker in this country should have the option to take paid leave, and no-one should have to choose between their job and caring for a loved one.
“While the Family and Medical Leave Act provides unpaid leave up to 12 weeks, many employees have the difficult decision of whether they can afford to take time off to address their needs. Employers in Florida can choose to offer paid family leave benefits to their employees, who will have the ability to care for a loved one when necessary and return to work less stressed, and ready to be productive.”
Sun Life’s FLI addresses a critical need for employers, the insurer stated, particularly in regions lacking state-mandated programs. It offers fully insured coverage, which is seen as especially beneficial for small to mid-sized businesses that might otherwise shy away from offering such benefits.
Sheila Sokolski, assistant vice president of product and marketing, noted: “In addition to giving workers access to paid leave, FLI gives employers a powerful tool for talent recruitment and retention, as more often workers seek out a robust benefits offering when considering jobs.
“We are pleased to expand this benefit in more states, which will also contribute to their economic growth.”
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