Voya Financial announced a strategic change that will allow them to manage leave administration, Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and Short-Term Disability (STD) claims completely in-house starting from : January 1 2026 for new business. The purpose of this decision is to provide a more efficient and connected experience for employees dealing with significant life changes.
Through the internal management of claims, Voya intends to consolidate the processes that are connected to its wider range of employee benefits, such as health supplements and life insurance products. The company has indicated that this integrated approach will allow for a more unified and less complicated claims experience, which is likely to be of benefit especially when employees are going through difficult times exposure to stress and other uncertainties. Existing employer groups currently using Voya’s leave and disability services will transition to the new in-house framework over the course of 2026 and 2027.
“Leave of absence events often happen at times of stress, uncertainty or a significant life change,” said Maleiha Russell, Vice President, 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.”
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The shift comes amid growing awareness of the connection between financial strain and employee well-being. Voya research indicates that a significant portion of the workforce—particularly millennials—experience mental health challenges linked to financial stress. Complex benefits processes can further compound these pressures, highlighting the need for clearer, more guided support systems.
“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.”
With this initiative, Voya Financial aims to enhance digital tools, reporting capabilities, and automation while reinforcing its focus on employee-centric benefits delivery.
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