Leading Paid Family and Medical Leave specialist expands market presence as state programs continue to grow nationwide
GARDEN CITY, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company (“ShelterPoint”), a leader in statutory Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs, today announced its approval by the State of Minnesota as a private plan provider. This strategic market entry follows ShelterPoint’s recent acquisition by Protective Life Corporation and strengthens the company’s position as a leading provider in the rapidly growing PFML market across the United States.
Minnesota employers will be required to provide PFML coverage beginning January 1, 2026. ShelterPoint’s early market entry gives Minnesota businesses a crucial head start on compliance planning through private plan options.
«Minnesota represents a significant opportunity to continue our mission of protecting more people during life’s critical moments,» said Leston Welsh, SVP and President of Protective’s Employee Benefits Division (ShelterPoint). «As an approved carrier to offer private PFML coverage in Minnesota, we’re leveraging our deep expertise in statutory benefits to help employers navigate this new requirement. Our specialized experience allows us to provide Minnesotans with the guidance and solutions they need to comply with confidence.»
ShelterPoint’s Minnesota offering will provide the statutory coverage required under the state’s program, which grants eligible employees up to 20 weeks of combined leave annually for qualifying family and medical events, including bonding with a new child, caring for family members with serious health conditions, addressing personal medical needs and safety leave.
Minnesota joins two other states—Delaware and Maine—that are implementing PFML programs starting in 2026, with Maryland expecting to follow in January 2028. With these additions, a total of 13 states will have mandated PFML-type programs in effect by mid-2026. Private plans have emerged as an important alternative to state-sponsored PFML plans, offering employers more flexibility and potentially more favorable pricing while still meeting all statutory requirements.
With quoting already available, ShelterPoint is positioned to help Minnesota employers understand their options well ahead of the state’s private plan application process, which is expected to open in July 2025.
Employers seeking to learn more about Minnesota’s PFML requirements and private plan options can visit https://info.shelterpoint.com/Blog/mn-paid-leave-overview for details and sign up for updates on program milestones and regulatory developments.
About ShelterPoint
The ShelterPoint family of companies consists of ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company (principal office in Garden City, NY) and its wholly owned subsidiary, ShelterPoint Insurance Company (a FL-domiciled carrier). These companies operate under the «ShelterPoint» name strictly as a marketing name, and no legal significance is expressed or implied. ShelterPoint’s holding company, ShelterPoint Group, Inc., is not a licensed insurance entity. ShelterPoint specializes in statutory benefit programs in the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) space in a growing number of states. For more information about ShelterPoint, please visit www.shelterpoint.com.
About Protective
Protective Life Corporation has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for 118 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective offers life insurance, annuity, asset protection and employee benefit solutions. Protective’s more than 3,500 employees put people first and deliver on the company’s promises to customers, partners, colleagues and communities – because we’re all protectors. With a long-term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., has $125 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2024. Protective is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and is supported by a robust virtual workforce and core sites in the greater Cincinnati area, St. Louis and Garden City, N.Y. For more information about Protective, visit protective.com.
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