Washington's paid leave program heads toward a fiscal cliff
Washington’s innovative paid family and medical leave program could be hundreds of millions of dollars in the red within a few years, unless the Legislature acts.
This could mean reduced benefits or increased payments by the employers and employees who fund the program, which lets Washingtonians take paid time off work for serious health issues or to care for a family member or a new child.
The program’s actuary says paid family and medical leave could face a more than $350 million deficit in 2029.
The state sets a premium rate annually for how much employers and employees need to pay into the program. This year, 0.92% of Washington workers’ paychecks go toward it. Next year, that’s projected to increase to 1.13%, though the rate will be finalized at the end of this month.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/10/13/washingtons-paid-leave-program-heads-toward-a-fiscal-cliff/