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Estimating benefits: Proposed national paid family and medical leave programs
Author(s) -
Hartmann Heidi I.,
Hayes Jeffrey
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
contemporary economic policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.454
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1465-7287
pISSN - 1074-3529
DOI - 10.1111/coep.12526
Subject(s) - earnings , wage , business , demographic economics , family leave , labour economics , economics , actuarial science , work (physics) , finance , engineering , mechanical engineering
Using a sophisticated simulation model to estimate worker leave access, eligibility, and usage behaviors, this study examines the distributional impact of program design elements across four programs that could provide paid family and medical leave insurance to American workers. Overall, paid family and medical leave benefits are well targeted to low wage workers, compared with moderate and higher wage workers, under all potential national programs whose effects are simulated here. Workers at all earnings and income levels would gain access to new leave benefits. Suggestions for improving the benefits to low wage workers are also discussed.