California
California Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)
California Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL)
California provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons. Workers may be eligible for DI if they are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness, during pregnancy and/or childbirth. Workers may be eligible for PFL to care for a seriously ill family member, to bond with a new child, and for a qualifying military exigency.
Additionally, the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance requires employers to pay “supplemental compensation” for a covered employee’s full duration of leave when receiving the CA State Paid Family Leave to bond with a child.
Coverage Options: Employers can participate in the state-run program or self-insure the DI and PFL coverages with a voluntary plan. MetLife provides administrative services for employers who have state approved voluntary plans (i.e., Voluntary Disability Insurance (VDI) and Voluntary Paid Family Leave (VPFL)).
Job Protection: The CA PFL and DI plans do not provide job protection, only monetary benefits. However, job protection may be provided through other federal or state laws such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).
Benefits:
- PFL: 8 weeks in a 12-month period; up to $1,620/week
- DI: 52 weeks; up to $1,620/week. The maximum benefit amount is (weekly benefit x 52 weeks) $84,240.00.
Contributions: In 2024, the contribution rate is 1.1% of all employee wages.
Note: Effective January 1, 2024, Senate Bill 951 removes the taxable wage limit and withholdings for each employee subject to SDI contributions. Voluntary plan employers may choose to retain the wage ceiling limit.
As of January 4, 2024
What is Paid Family & Medical Leave?
The information presented in this brochure is not legal advice and should not be relied upon or construed as legal advice. It is not permissible for MetLife or its employees or agents to give legal advice. The information in this brochure is for general informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete or to cover every situation. You must consult with your own legal advisors to determine how these laws will affect you. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies offered by MetLife and its affiliates contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact MetLife or your plan administrator for complete details. Further, the information in this brochure does not reflect MetLife’s or any particular employer’s internal policies or the benefits available to its employees. All employees, regardless of employer, should consult with their own HR, benefits manager, or visit their HR website for information on the benefits available to them.