PFL Claim: One-time payout vs. incremental payments - did I make the right choice?

I went through this last year. Honestly, the one-time payout was a lifesaver for me. It helped cover a bunch of upfront costs we had when our baby arrived. No regrets here!

I chose the incremental payments and kinda wish I hadn't. It was nice to have a steady income, but dealing with all those separate deposits was a headache. Plus, our biggest expenses came right at the beginning.

Okay, so here's the deal with Paid Family Leave (PFL) payouts: • One-time payout: - Pros: Get all your money upfront, great for big initial expenses - Cons: Need to budget carefully, might run out before leave ends • Incremental payments: - Pros: Steady income throughout leave, easier to budget - Cons: Might not cover large upfront costs, more paperwork Ultimately, it depends on your financial situation and how you plan to use the money. If you have big expenses at the start of your leave (like medical bills or baby supplies), the lump sum might be better. If you're worried about budgeting or want a more stable income stream, go for incremental. Pro tip: If you choose the lump sum, consider putting some in a savings account and 'paying' yourself biweekly to mimic the incremental option.

ugh why is this system so complicated?? 🤦‍♀️ shouldnt we be focusing on our families instead of stressing about payment options??

Has anyone actually managed to get through to a real person at the PFL office? I've been trying for days and keep getting stuck in their automated system. It's driving me crazy! 😤

Anyone else feel like they're playing roulette with these choices? 🎰 I swear, sometimes I think they make it confusing on purpose!

Pro tip: if you're not sure which option to choose, talk to your HR department! Mine was super helpful in explaining the pros and cons for my specific situation.

I'm currently going through this decision myself and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed by all the options. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful though! @Steven Adams - I think you probably made the right choice if you had big upfront expenses. From what I'm seeing, most people who chose the lump sum seem happy with it as long as they were disciplined about budgeting. The incremental payments seem safer but less flexible. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - way more useful than the official website! 🙏

Just went through this exact same dilemma a few months ago! I ended up choosing the lump sum and honestly, no regrets. We had a ton of medical bills from the birth that needed to be paid right away, plus all the baby essentials. The one-time payout let us handle everything without stress. One thing I wish someone had told me though - make sure you have a solid plan for the money before you get it. I put about 60% in a separate savings account and used the rest for immediate expenses. Then I transferred money to myself every two weeks like a regular paycheck. Worked out perfectly! The incremental payments might feel "safer" but honestly, life doesn't always work on a predictable schedule. Sometimes you need that financial flexibility upfront. Sounds like you made the smart choice for your situation! 👍