Washington paid family and medical leave

Most Washington workers are eligible for paid family and medical leave under Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law, which began January 1, 2020. PFML is available to covered individuals who work in Washington.

Key features

Coverage options	State plan, self-insured or fully insured private plan
Funding	0.8% of employee wages up to the Social Security cap, employees will pay 72.76% of the premium. Employers with under 50 employees only remit employee portion.
Elimination period	7 days (0 days for birth or adoption of a child)
Benefit	Employee’s average weekly wage is less than 50% of state’s average weekly wage: 90% of average weekly wage Employee’s average weekly wage is greater than 50% of state’s average weekly wage: 90% of average weekly wage up to 50% of state average weekly wage, plus 50% of average weekly wage over 50% of state average weekly wage
Minimum benefit	$100 per week in 2024
Maximum benefit	$1,456 per week in 2024
Benefit duration	12 weeks for family or medical leave 16 weeks for family and medical leave combined

Principal^® doesn’t offer a private plan solution for employers wanting to opt out of the state plan.

Get more information from the State of Washington.