As a reminder for all employees in Washington, the Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) premium rate will increase from 0.92% in 2025 to 1.13% of gross wages, starting January 1, 2026.
- Employees will pay 71.43% of the total premium.
- Employers will pay 28.57%.
- If your employer has fewer than 50 employees, they are not required to pay the employer portion but must still collect the employee portion or choose to cover it.
Premiums are withheld from wages each pay period and apply only to the Social Security wage cap, which will be $184,500 in 2026. Once an employee reaches this cap, premium collection stops, but wage reporting continues.
Employers must begin withholding at the new rate on wages paid after Jan. 1, 2026. First-quarter premiums are due by April 30, 2026. Premiums cannot be withheld retroactively.
For additional information: Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave – Press Release
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