Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave Program

Covered Leaves and Durations

Weekly Benefit Amount

Benefit Calculation: 

• 90% of wages that do not exceed 50% of the state's average weekly wage; plus 
• 66% of wages that exceed 50%, but are less than 100% of the SAWW; plus 
• 55% of wages that exceed 100% of the SAWW. 

Maximum Weekly Benefit: Equal to the SAWW  

Minimum Weekly Benefit: No minimum

State Average Weekly Wage: Pending calculation 

Waiting Period

Except for bonding leave, benefits are based on one qualifying event of at least 7 calendar days. However, whether that will be considered a Waiting Period is still under review.

Intermittent Leaves

Employees can take leave intermittently or all at once. Intermittent leaves must be taken in 8-hour increments.

Covered Employers

• Minnesota PFML benefits generally will be available to an employee who has earned at least 5.3% of the State Average Annual Wage rounded down to the nearest $100 in the employee’s base period. 
• Self-employed and independent contractors can opt into the program.
• Some seasonal employees may be excluded.

Family Members

Covered employees may take family leave to care for a: 

• Spouse or domestic partner
• Child, including a biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, or a child to whom the applicant stands in loco parentis, is a legal guardian, or is a de facto parent
• Parent or legal guardian of the applicant
• Sibling
• Grandchild
• Grandparent or spouse’s grandparent
• Son-in-law or daughter-in-law;

• Any individual who has a relationship with the applicant that creates an expectation and reliance that the applicant care for the individual, whether or not the applicant and the individual reside together

   

Plan Options

Employers may select coverage under the state plan, or they may elect coverage under a fully insured or self-insured private plan. A private plan must confer the same rights, protections, and benefits to employees as those provided within the state plan. Additional rules and regulations are under development.

Funding

The state will adjust rates beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and by July 31 of each year thereafter. Minnesota PFML provides job protection once an employee has worked 90 days for their employer.

Additional Information Employers Need to Know

MN PFML provides job protection once an employee has worked 90 days for their employer. Health insurance benefits must be maintained while an employee is on leave, however, employees may be required to continue to pay the employee share of the cost for such benefits.

More Information

For more details, visit the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave site.

If you'd like to see how we can help you comply with leave laws, check out our leave management services. We offer both absence management and benefits administration so you can focus your time where you need it most.