Yes, Sun Life intends to offer both fully insured and self-insured private plan administration for employers.
Effective January 1, 2026, employers with 10 or more employees are required to provide Paid Family and Medical Leave to their employees who work in the state of Delaware. The DE 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 a private plan.
Sun Life Solutions: Sun Life offers solutions to meet your PFML needs, including the choice of a fully insured plan or a self-insured plan option.
Employers who choose private plan administration 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
- September 1, 2024 to December 1, 2024 – Period of time for employers to Opt-In or Opt-Out to use a private plan
- January 1, 2025 – Employers who do not have an approved private plan exemption start collecting employee contributions (if desired)
- April 30, 2025 – First due date for PFML contributions to the state
- January 1, 2026 – Benefits begin
Frequently asked questions
Yes. While the DE PFML law creates certain paid benefits for leave because of an employee’s own health condition the DE 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:
- Low max benefit amount. The DE PFML max weekly benefit may be insufficient for high-income earners who require greater income replacement.
- Combined time limit for multiple leave reasons. If an employee takes 12 weeks of parental leave in a 12-month period, the employee will be left without income replacement for their own serious health condition in the same timeframe.
- Short duration. DE PFML only provides 6 weeks of medical leave in a 24-month period. This could leave a large gap of uncovered time for an employee with a longer duration or multiple occurrences.
- STD may offer additional features and benefits. STD policies may include employee-facing features that improve their experience: survivor benefits, and most importantly, return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation programs. Employees can only access these features if they are approved for STD benefits.
Employers may seek approval to meet their obligations of the DE PFML law through a private plan. If approved, the employer will not be required to submit contribution payments to the state. Further instructions on how to register and apply for a private plan will be made available on the Delaware Department of Labor website and Delaware LaborFirst portal starting 9/1/24.
If the private plan is in the form of:
- Self-insurance – the employer must furnish a surety bond running to the state
- Fully insured – the policy must be approved by the insurance commissioner and be issued by an approved insurer.
Program highlights
Plan Name |
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) |
|---|---|
Year benefits begin |
January 1, 2026 (Contributions begin January 1, 2025) |
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 10 or more employees working in the state during the previous 12 months.
|
Employee eligibility requirements |
While working in DE for a covered employer, the Employee
|
Elimination period |
0 days |
Reasons for leave |
|
Benefit duration |
The benefit duration depends on the leave reason.
|
Benefit calculation |
80% of the covered individual’s average weekly wages rounded up to the nearest dollar during the 12 months prior to the application for leave |
Maximum weekly benefit |
$900 through December 31, 2027 |
Minimum weekly benefit |
$100 |
Social Security wage cap |
2025: $176,100 |
State rate |
2025 & 2026:
|
Maximum employee contributions |
50% of the state rate on 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 |
50% of the state rate to the Social Security wage cap |
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 DE 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 DE 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-2197 #1489642322 09/24 (exp. 09/26)