The Washington Employment Security Department announced that the 2026 Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program total premium rate will increase from 0.92% to 1.13% of wages beginning January 1, 2026.
Employers with 50 or more employees working in the state of Washington will contribute up to 28.57% of the total premium, and their Washington state employees will pay 71.43%. Employers with fewer than 50 employees working in the state of Washington are not required to contribute the employer portion of the premium. However, they must still withhold the employee premium or pay the employees' premiums on their behalf.
Employers with at least one employee working in the state of Washington should notify their employee(s) who work in Washington regarding the new 2026 rate and coordinate with their payroll vendors to update the new rate to be applied on January 1, 2026. (Employers are not allowed to retroactively withhold premiums from employees.)
Read more information on the 2026 Paid Family and Medical Leave Updates (washington.gov).