Solvency Fund Legislation Prompts Two Month Extension of First Quarter UI Payment Due Date
 

State officials have again extended the due date for first quarter unemployment insurance payments from Massachusetts employers. Originally extended by the Department of Unemployment Assistance to June 1st, the deadline for employer payments has again been pushed out another two months to Monday, August 2nd.  August 2nd is also the due date for second quarter employment and wage detail filings and contributions. Members can expect further information on the 2021 employer rates and solvency assessment from the Department of Unemployment Assistance soon.

The delay comes as the Legislature and Baker Administration work to pass legislation designed to address the unexpected solvency assessment increases recently experienced by employers in their Q1 bills.  Currently on the Governor’s desk awaiting approval, the legislation proposes shifting pandemic-related unemployment claims, currently charged to the solvency fund, into a new COVID fund which will be amortized over a 20-year period through bonding.  The move is designed to provide employers with short-term relief from the solvency assessment spikes, however the burden of paying off the program’s $7 billion deficit over the 20-year period will remain squarely on the shoulders of the Commonwealth’s employers. 

RAM continues to push for the state to share in this responsibility by utilizing a portion of the billions of dollars in American Rescue Plan funds coming into the Commonwealth to pay down a portion of the UI deficit. RAM members are strongly encouraged to take action today by contacting their state legislators and Governor Baker and requesting their support in using federal pandemic recovery funds as a means to mitigate the long-term impact of the UI deficit on businesses and job growth.  Please join us in this effort by contacting your elected officials today.

Click here to send your message.

Employers alone can’t foot the $7 billion bill for unemployment insurance

Beacon Hill should follow other states and devote federal COVID-19 relief funds to bring down the debt from the cost of layoffs from the pandemic.

As published in the August 2, 2021 Boston Globe by Jon B. Hurst, RAM President

Massachusetts employers were recently handed their revised unemployment insurance tax bills for 2021. These lower bills are the result of new legislation that has been marketed as a fix for the unemployment insurance crisis. It authorizes the state to borrow $7 billion to shore up what would have been an insolvent unemployment insurance fund to pay back federal loans and interest on those loans. For many businesses, their revised tax bills dropped dramatically from what was first sent to them in April. The catch? Employers must pay it back. While the reduction in payments is welcome, employers have been handed an unprecedented tax increase for the $7 billion COVID-19 unemployment tab, which is now being amortized over 20 years rather than just two years.

Learn more about RAM’s proposal for relief.  

Gov. Baker Signs COVID-19 Policy Extensions Law

Baker Signs COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Law

On May 28^th, 2021, Governor Baker signed legislation establishing a COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave program in the Commonwealth.  Effective immediately, all Massachusetts employers must grant up to 40 hours of emergency paid leave for full time employees, and prorated emergency paid leave for part time employees, for certain COVID-19 related purposes. 

Employers are eligible for reimbursement for the cost of providing the required paid leave through a new $75 million state fund created by the law, unless the employer is otherwise eligible for reimbursement from the federal COVID-19 emergency sick leave tax credit program established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  Employers must make the required leave available through September 30, 2021, or until the state fund is exhausted. 

The state's COVID-19 Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave website provides important information about the program and resources to facilitate implementation, including Guidance for employers, Frequently Asked Questions, and the required Notice to Employees.  Additional guidance will be issued in the coming weeks, including information on how employers may apply for reimbursement from the state.

RAM will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

New Online Loss Prevention Information Sharing Platform 

The RAM Health Insurance Cooperative is NOW thriving – and growing – in 2021! 

The RAMHIC program offers RAM members:

• A 3% discount off premium rates for small businesses in the small group market (groups of 1-50 employees).
• Access to every small group plan offered by BCBSMA.  As well as a two plan option for added flexibility.
• Defined contribution options to address the needs of both your business and your employees.

All BCBSMA small group plans through RAM come with:

• A wellness program with potential employee incentives of up to $300 and an opportunity to earn 7.5% in backend employer incentives.
• A free supplemental hospitalization policy for all subscribers, which covers $750 for a hospital admission and $150 each additional day up to 10 days.
• A free $10,000 life insurance policy for all subscribers.

Click for more information on RAMHIC.