Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave

The Department of Family and Medical Leave oversees the Commonwealth’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program. This program provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who are welcoming a new child into their family, are struck by a serious illness or injury, need to take care of an ill or ailing relative, and for certain military considerations.

With Equitable, you get a Powerfully Simple® approach. We simplify administration and bring the experience, agility and resources to manage these benefits while delivering a high-quality experience for every employee and employer.  Contact us to learn about a fully insured Massachusetts plan from Equitable.

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Qualifying Leave Reasons

Medical Leave

  • Employee’s own serious health condition

Family Leave

  • Bond with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster care placement)
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition
  • Care for a family member who is a service member with a serious health condition
  • Military exigency arising from a family member’s foreign active duty service or notice of an impending call or order to foreign active duty in the armed forces
  • Benefit Waiting Period

7 Days

  • Waiting period counts towards total leave entitlement
  • No waiting period for birth mother for bonding leave if the bonding leave commences immediately following the medical leave for childbirth
  • Benefit Amount

80% of employees average wages up to 50% of the statewide average weekly wage; plus 50% of an employee’s average wages in excess of 50% of the statewide average weekly wage

  • Maximum Weekly Benefit

$1,230.39 effective 1/1/2026 (64% of the statewide average weekly wage)

  • Maximum Leave Duration
  • Employee’s own serious health condition: 20 weeks
  • Bond with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster care placement): 12 weeks
  • Care for a family member with a serious health condition: 12 weeks
  • Care for a family member who is a service member with a serious health condition: 26 weeks
  • Military exigency: 12 weeks
No more than 26 weeks in a benefit year for all leaves combined
  • Contributions

Under 25 Covered Employees

Medical Leave

Employee Contribution: 0.28% of covered wages

Employer Contribution: None

Family Leave

Employee Contribution: 0.18% of covered wages

Employer Contribution: None

25 or More Covered Employees

Medical Leave

Employee Contribution: 0.28% of covered wages

Employer Contribution: 0.42% of covered wages

Family Leave

Employee Contribution: 0.18% of covered wages

Employer Contribution: None

  • Employer can choose to pay a higher portion or all of the cost
  • Private plans can charge different rates, however employee contributions cannot exceed those required under the state plan.
Contact us to learn about Equitable's fully insured Massachusetts plan. Connect with one of our regional market managers today.

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Still have questions? Visit the official state resource for more details.

This information is current has of January 1, 2026 and is subject to change.  Information is reviewed and updated periodically when individual states issue updates. The information is for general informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete or to cover every situation. Please note this information does not constitute legal advice. You must consult with your own legal advisors to determine how these laws will affect you.

Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY), Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company, and Equitable Distributors, LLC.  Equitable Advisors is the brand name of Equitable Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI and TN).

All group insurance products are issued either by Equitable Financial or Equitable America, which have sole responsibility for their respective insurance and are backed solely by their claims-paying obligations. Some products are not available in all states.

GE-8474912.1 (10/2025) (Exp. 10/2029)

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