The Washington Employment Security Department has announced the state Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) premium rates and weekly benefit maximums for 2025.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, the Washington PFML program’s total premium rate will increase from 0.74% to 0.92%. This rate is recalculated annually in October, based on contributions from premiums and benefits paid during the previous year.
Employers must report each Washington employee’s total gross wages, not including tips. Premiums must be collected up to the Social Security cap, which will increase to $176,100 in 2025, to the Washington Employment Security Department. Once an employee meets the Social Security cap, employers must stop collecting premiums, but they must continue to report employee wages.
Employers with 50 or more employees will pay at least 28.48% of the total premium, which will require employees to pay 71.52% of the premium. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer portion of the total premium but must collect the employee portion of the premium or pay it on their behalf. Employers with approved voluntary plans under this law should consult with employment counsel about possible modifications to the voluntary plans.
Additionally, the maximum weekly benefit will be capped at $1,542 per week in 2025.
Employers should notify employees that they will begin collecting the new rate on Jan. 1, 2025. An updated employer toolkit, mandatory poster, and paycheck insert are available in the Washington Employment Security Department’s Paid Leave Help Center.
Michael A. Griffin and Jessica M. Cox are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Seattle. © 2025 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission.
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