Milestone dates to note for successful 1/1/26 effective dates

Three easy tips to help your clients with a smooth and timely Sun Life implementation on 1/1/26:

1. Take advantage of Sun Life Onboard, our standard for most clients, allowing for faster and easier implementation
2. By 12/10/25 (Wednesday) - ensure all implementation requirements are complete and submitted through Sun Life Onboard
3. By 12/19/25 (Friday) - finalize and submit enrollment data through Sun Life Onboard

By following these three simple tips, we can provide a smooth and timely implementation experience. This means your client and their employees will be happy...and so will you!

Reminder: Notice regarding approved advertising materials

Your Sun Life selling agreement and state advertising regulations require you to use the approved Sun Life marketing materials that we provide you. If you modify or create new materials, relating to the Sun Life companies, their policies, or services, we remind you of your obligation to share these with your Sun Life Employee Benefits Representative for Sun Life’s written approval prior to use.

Absence Management & Paid Leave Solutions news 

Download Sun Life's Q3 2025 Compliance newsletter

PFML History Collection started October 1, 2025

To help us understand prior leave taken and remaining time available, in the first benefit year of private plan administration for any PFML offering, Sun Life will request prior claim history as part of the employer verification process. This new process will occur at time of claim and began with PFML claims submitted on and after October 1, 2025. Completion of our request for prior history pertains to your PFML effective date with Sun Life. Read more here:

For PFML plan(s) effective 11/1/2024-9/30/2025
For PFML plan(s) effective on/after 10/1/2025

Important PFML updates and reminders

CO PFML – Private Plan maintenance fee

• Colorado adopted regulations effective 10/30/2025 for their private plan annual maintenance fees. CO FAMLI will issue private plan employers an invoice with a due date of 12/31/25. The private plan maintenance fee for 2025 will be $142.00. See the Q3 Compliance Newsletter for more information.

CT PFML – Leave reason expansion

• Connecticut expanded their safe leave reasons to now include leave for victims of sexual assault. Employees can now request up to 12 days of leave to address needs following family violence/sexual assault.

DE PFML – Allows Quarterly Private Plan exemption filing

• Private plan exemption portal is open through 12/1/25 for plans effective 1/1/26. The portal will remain open for exemptions on a quarterly basis going forward. Exemption applications must be submitted to the state 30 days prior to the end of the quarter, for first of the quarter effective dates only.

MN PFML – Publication of Employee Notice and Workplace Poster

• Minnesota published a Workplace Poster and Employee Notice for use with equivalent plans. Employers must display the poster and provide the Notice to their covered employees. The Notice must be acknowledged and signed by the employee.
• For 1/1/26 effective dates, MN has extended their private plan exemption deadline from November 10, 2025, to November 15, 2025. Private plan exemption requests received after November 15, 2025, will be effective 4/1/26 as the next earliest effective date.

Please visit sunlife.com/stateprograms for more information. 

Supplemental Health news

Hospital stays are autopaid with maternity claims

When your employees enroll in both Hospital Indemnity and Short-term disability with Sun Life, we’ll automatically pay up to three days of hospital confinement benefits when we receive the disability claim. No extra paperwork required! Request a Sun Life Supplemental Health and Disability quote from your broker today.

Dental News

A preventive dental mindset and the pursuit of optimal oral health

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the importance of oral health. However, oral health is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being. Sun Life’s Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Todd Gray, introduces our latest white paper that is enlightening for all – brokers, clients, providers, and members. Download the paper and explore the importance of fostering a lifelong preventive dental mindset, from early childhood through adulthood.

Sun Life’s dental PPO network grows to 145,000 providers

The Sun Life Dental Network® expands access to care with more than 145,000 dentists nationwide.¹ Read our flyer to see how our strong network goes beyond the numbers and demonstrates our deep experience in recruiting the right providers, making in-network care more affordable, and focusing on prevention to help improve oral health.

_^1. Sun Life’s dental networks include its affiliate, Dental Health Alliance®, L.L.C. (DHA®), and dentists under access arrangements with other dental networks. Nationwide counts are state level totals.