This week’s question comes from Stan, an HR manager. We just received our Notice of Employers Unemployment Insurance Contribution Rate Statement of Account Balance from the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). A solvency assessment was subtracted from our account balance. What is the solvency assessment in Massachusetts? Answer: The solvency assessment is used to pay benefits that are not assigned to an individual employer.

Three Main Charges To the Solvency Assessment Account

The solvency account has three main charges as follows:

1. Dependency allowances
2. State-funded extended benefits, and
3. Benefits paid when claimants are in DUA approved training programs.

Solvency Assessment Is not Paid Directly, but Reduces the Employer’s Account Balance

The solvency assessment is not paid through the DUA QUEST system, but is applied to the account balance when calculating the employer’s new rate. The solvency assessment rate of 1.22% for 2010 (1.71% for 2011) is multiplied by the employer’s taxable wages for the period to determine the total solvency assessment to be applied to each account.

More Questions on the Massachusetts Solvency Assessment?

Contact Vision Payroll if you have further questions on the Massachusetts solvency assessment.