Sun Life U.S. has announced the expansion of its Family Leave Insurance (FLI) to include Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. This move broadens access to paid leave for workers in these states and provides employers with an option to offer this benefit more easily. The insurance is already available in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Joi Tillman, president of Group Benefits at Sun Life U.S., emphasized the importance of the initiative: "We believe no one should have to choose between their job and caring for a loved one." She noted that while the Family and Medical Leave Act allows for unpaid leave up to 12 weeks, financial constraints often make it difficult for employees to take time off.
The FLI program is designed based on Sun Life's expertise in absence management and aims to fill benefits gaps for employers in states lacking government programs. The offering is fully insured, reducing risk for small and mid-size businesses that want to provide this benefit.
Sheila Sokolski, vice president of Product Strategy and Portfolio Management at Sun Life U.S., stated: "We now offer FLI in 11 states across the U.S. This will contribute to economic growth by attracting more workers to these regions and supporting the return-to-work process for those who go on leave."
Sun Life's FLI includes online claims submission capabilities for employees and tools for employers to manage leave details efficiently. Quoting for FLI in the newly added states began on February 1st, with more states expected to approve filings later in 2025.
Sun Life operates internationally across various markets including Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific regions among others. It trades under the ticker symbol SLF on multiple stock exchanges.
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