Voya Financial brings Leave and Short-Term Disability Claims Administration in house to further enhance employee experience
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paid family and medical leave (pfml)regulatory
Paid family and medical leave (PFML) is a government-mandated or employer-provided program that pays workers a portion of their wages while they take time off for serious personal or family health needs, childbirth, or to care for a relative. It matters to investors because PFML changes a company’s labor costs, hiring and retention dynamics, and legal compliance risk—similar to an insurance pool that shifts short-term payroll obligations away from day-to-day operations and can affect profitability and workforce stability.
short-term disability (std)financial
Short-term disability (STD) is an employee benefit or insurance that replaces a portion of an individual’s pay when they cannot work because of a temporary illness or injury, typically for a few weeks to several months. Investors should care because STD influences a company’s labor costs, staffing continuity and productivity, and potential insurance or payout expenses—much like a temporary ‘pause’ on paychecks that a business and its insurer must manage.
administrative services only (aso)financial
Administrative Services Only (ASO) is an arrangement where an employer pays for its employees' health claims directly but hires an insurance company or third party to handle paperwork, claims processing, and network access. For investors, ASO matters because it shifts medical cost risk and cash flow from insurers to employers while creating steady fee revenue for administrators; changes in claim patterns or employer behavior can affect insurance companies’ margins and corporate balance sheets.
New model emphasizes simplicity as employees navigate major life events
MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) today announced that the full administration of Leave, Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and Short-Term Disability (STD) claims has been brought in house for new business effective Jan. 1, 2026. This approach enables Voya to provide a comprehensive claims process that seamlessly integrates across all coverages, including Voya-offered supplemental health and life insurance. This holistic model is designed to enhance the overall support provided to employees as they navigate some of life’s most complex and emotional moments.
Voya’s in-house claims solution, which streamlines complex leave requirements, processes and administration, is already implemented for new employer groups looking to simplify these benefits for their employees. In-force Voya Leave Management and Short-Term Disability employer groups will transition to the in-house claims model throughout 2026 and 2027.
“Leave of absence events often happen at times of stress, uncertainty or a significant life change,” said Maleiha Russell, VP, Life and Disability. “By bringing leave and disability claims administration in house, we can better simplify the experience for employees, provide more consistent support and deliver a more human approach when it matters most.”
Voya’s research shows that 79% of millennials (the largest generational segment in the workforce) say financial stress often or sometimes impacts their mental health and well-being.1 Employees can feel overwhelmed by competing priorities and may struggle to fully engage with their benefits, underscoring the need for clearer, more guided experiences — especially during critical life events. The in-house model is designed to enable closer integration between leave and disability claims and Voya’s broader benefits ecosystem, including supplemental health and life insurance, while also supporting continued enhancements to digital tools, reporting and automation.
“Bringing this work in house, combined with advancements in technology, automation and agile ways of working, enables us to focus more on our customers and outcomes,” said Andrew Stocker, president, Employee Benefits. “Our goal is to simplify leave and disability for employees while providing employers with greater visibility and confidence that their workforce is supported when it matters most.”
As employers continue to look for ways to better support employee well-being, Voya remains focused on delivering integrated, employee-centric solutions that help people feel informed, supported and cared for throughout the leave experience.
1Benefitfocus 2025 State of Employee Benefits™ Report. Benefitfocus is a Voya Financial business.
Administrative Services Only (ASO) Leave Management services are provided by the employer. ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY), both members of the Voya® family of companies, provide administrative and/or claims payment services only. A complete description of coverage will be provided in the plan documents.
Insurance is issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). Within the State of New York, only ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York is admitted, and its products issued. Both are members of the Voya® family of companies. Voya Employee Benefits is a division of both companies. Form numbers, product availability and specific provisions may vary by state.
About Voya Financial®
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) is a leading retirement, employee benefits and investment management company. Voya’s services and solutions help clear the path to financial confidence and a more fulfilling life for individual, workplace and institutional clients, supporting more than 18 million customer relationships. Certified as a “Great Place to Work” by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Voya fosters a culture that values customer centricity, integrity, accountability, agility and inclusivity. Together with customers and partners, Voya employees fight for everyone's opportunity for a better financial future. For more information, visit voya.com and follow Voya Financial on LinkedIn,Facebook and Instagram.
