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Understanding Our Move to The Hartford, Your New Disability and Leave Administrator
You deserve benefits and support that are reliable and easy to access and understand. That’s why we’re excited to welcome The Hartford to administer our disability programs and leaves of absence, starting January 1, 2026.
Why The Hartford?
The Hartford focuses on delivering a streamlined and enhanced overall experience.
Union employees should refer to the most recent version of their Collective Bargaining Agreement for information about disability, leaves of absence, and available benefits.
As a reminder, The Hartford will also take over the administration of your Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage, as well as Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Cash Benefits plans.
How Current and Future Leaves Are Affected by Our Transition to The Hartford
How you’ll be impacted by the transition from Sun Life to The Hartford depends on whether you’re on a leave that begins in 2025 and will extend into 2026 and the type of leave.
The chart below addresses different scenarios to help you better understand the transition.
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IF… |
THEN… |
|---|---|
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You’re not currently on or planning to begin a leave of absence |
You’re not impacted by this transition. The Hartford will be available to help you if you need a leave in the future. |
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You’re currently on or are planning to be on a leave that will end prior to January 1, 2026 |
Your leave will continue to be administered through Sun Life. When you’re ready to return to work, notify Sun Life and your manager. See contact information for Sun Life above. |
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You’re planning a leave that will begin on or after January 1, 2026 |
Since your leave will begin after the transition date, you will work with The Hartford to initiate it. See contact information for The Hartford above. |
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You’re on or expect to begin a Short-Term Disability Leave by December 31, 2025, that is scheduled to continue until or beyond January 1, 2026 |
Initiate your leave with Sun Life using the contact information above. You’ll continue to work with Sun Life until your STD leave ends. Certain leave programs that run concurrently with STD will transition to The Hartford (e.g., FMLA). Depending on the state you work in, your state benefits may continue with Sun Life or you will continue to manage them directly with your state. Based on these situations, you may be working with Sun Life, The Hartford, and your state. Visit Transitioning a Short-Term Disability Leave for additional information. |
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You’re on or expect to begin a Caregiver Leave or Parental/Adoption Leave by December 31, 2025, that is scheduled to continue until or beyond January 1, 2026 |
On January 1, 2026, The Hartford will take over managing your Caregiver Leave or Parental/Adoption Leave and any concurrent FMLA leave. Depending on the state you work in, your state benefits may continue with Sun Life or you will continue to manage them directly with your state. Based on these situations, you may be working with The Hartford and Sun Life or your state. Visit Transitioning a Caregiver or Parental/Adoption Leave for more information. |
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You’re on or expect to begin one of the following leaves by December 31, 2025, that is scheduled to continue until or beyond January 1, 2026:
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Initiate your leave with Sun Life using the contact information above. On January 1, 2026, any open or pending leaves with Sun Life will be transferred to The Hartford. If your leave is already approved, the approval will transfer to The Hartford; no action is needed. If your leave is pending or requires an extension, work directly with The Hartford using the contact information above. |
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If you’re planning a leave before December 31, 2025, and your start date changes to a date on or after January 1, 2026 |
You may need to initiate your leave twice. For example, if you’re expecting a child and your due date is in late December, you need to initiate your leave with Sun Life in case your leave starts as planned. However, if you actually deliver and begin your leave in January, you’ll need to initiate a second time with The Hartford. Refer to the contact information above. |
Please note: If you have an active ADA accommodation (for example, reduced hours or lifting restrictions), it will remain in place through the previously approved time period. After January 1, 2026, contact The Hartford if you need an extension.
Other Leave Changes to Note
Caregiver and Parental/Adoption Leaves that begin on or after January 1, 2026, include up to 9 weeks of paid leave. Previously, 7 weeks were available.
Intermittent Caregiver Leave must be taken in increments of at least 1 hour.
Contact The Hartford starting January 1, 2026:
Contact Sun Life, available now:
Additional Resources
Wellthy’s care experts can help ease the burden of the administrative and logistical tasks that come with taking a leave. Check out the Wellthy Family Care Resources page or visit wellthy.com/member/benefits4me for additional information.
Through CompEAP, our Employee Assistance Program, you can find confidential counseling for yourself and your family, referrals for personal life services, including child and elder care assistance and nursing mother assistance, and book an appointment with a wellness coach. Visit my.compeap.com/o/benefits4me (Company code: benefits4me) or call 1-800-344-1011 or text 1-781-999-0902, available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Maternity & Newborn Care: We offer a number of resources to help you navigate maternity and newborn care, including Wellthy parenting support for all employees, Maven for employees and dependents enrolled in a BCBSMA medical plan, and the Center for Healthy Living for anyone enrolled in a Kaiser medical plan.