Minnesota

Be in the Know: New Rules on Leave

Minnesota has recently passed legislation requiring paid medical leave (PML) and paid family leave (PFL) income replacement benefits for eligible workers who need time off from work for qualifying reasons.

Coverage and cost

Learn more about your state rules and eligibility.

Covered employers

All employers regardless of their size or number of employees located in Minnesota.

Coverage options

Employers may use the state or a private state-approved plan.

Cost

The cost of the program will be 0.7% of an employee’s taxable wages. An employer may not deduct more than a maximum of 50% (0.35%) of this premium to their employees through wage deduction.

Employee eligibility

Employee must have earned at least 5.3% of the state average weekly wage in the individuals base period or self-employed individuals who elect coverage under the plan. Seasonal workers are excluded from coverage.

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Leave Reasons

Caring for a family member, bonding, medical, safe leave, qualifying exigency.

Job protection

Requires continuation of benefits, and right to reinstatement after 90 days tenure.

Benefits

Employees receive up to 90% of their average weekly wage on a sliding scale. The maximum benefit is 100% of the state average weekly wage.

  • 12 weeks medical leave, 12 weeks family leave, 20 weeks combined max.
  • 7 consecutive calendar day elimination period for continuous leave retroactive to day 1 after met (does not apply to bonding or intermittent leaves).
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Need more information?

Contributions for the program begin January 01, 2026

Benefits begin January 01, 2026

Need more information?

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How Unum can help

Unum is committed to working toward solutions to assist our clients with employees in Minnesota. We will provide updates on our offering as more information about the program becomes available.

Have questions?

Reach out to our sales team to learn more about state PFML and absence management solutions from Unum.