Minnesota
Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program will begin paying benefits January 1, 2026. Employers can opt-out of the state program in favor of a private plan that is equal or better than the state program.
Eligibility:
Employers
Most employers and governmental entities that employ at least one employee working in the state of Minnesota.
Employees
Employees are eligible for PFML if they have earned at least 5.3% of the state’s average wage during the base period. The base period is the four completed quarters prior to leave.
Benefits overview
Medical leave
- Employee’s own serious health condition
Family leave
- Bond with a new child after birth, adoption, or foster care placement
- Care for a family member with a serious health condition
- Military exigency related to a family member’s active military duty or call to duty
Safe leave
- Needs related to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault
12 weeks of medical or family leave
Up to a combined maximum of 20 weeks in a claim year
There is a 3-tier benefit calculation:
- 90% wage replacement for earnings up to 50% of the state average weekly wage (SAWW); plus
- 66% wage replacement for earnings over 50% of the SAWW, up to 100% of the SAWW; plus
- 55% wage replacement for any earnings exceeding 100% of the SAWW
The maximum benefits amount will equal the state average weekly wage
There is a 7-day waiting period under Minnesota PFML, except for bonding leave
Leave can be taken continuously or intermittently. Intermittent leave must be taken in 1-day increments.
Leave under Minnesota PFML is considered job protected leave once an employee has worked 90 days for their employer
Additional information:
Private Plans
Employers may opt out of the state plan in favor of a private plan.
A private plan must:
- Provide equal to or better benefits than those under the state plan
- Cover all employees employed by the employer
- Guarantee employee contributions are not greater than what the employee would pay under the state plan
- Include no additional requirements or conditions than the state plan
Additional rules and regulations are forthcoming.
Covered Family Members
Under Minnesota PFML, employees may take family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Covered relationships include:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Child (biological, adopted, foster, stepchild)
- Parent (biological, adopted, foster, stepparent, parent-in-law)
- Sibling
- Grandparent or spouse’s grandparent
- Grandchild
- Son-in-law or daughter-in-law
- Any individual who has an expectation of care from the employee
To learn more about Minnesota’s paid leave program, visit the Minnesota Paid Leave website.