California SDI Calculator 2026
California SDI 2026 is a 1.1% employee-paid payroll deduction with no wage cap (since 2024), funding short-term disability and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits. Weekly benefit replaces 70-90% of wages, max $1,839/week. PFL pays up to 8 weeks for bonding or family care.
| Annual gross wages | — |
| SDI rate (2026) | 1.1% |
| Annual SDI deduction | — |
| Monthly SDI deduction | — |
| Average weekly wage | — |
| Replacement rate | — |
| Weekly SDI/PFL benefit | — |
| PFL 8-week max payout | — |
California SDI 2026 is a 1.1% employee-paid payroll deduction with no wage cap (since 2024 under SB 951), funding both short-term disability (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits. Maximum weekly benefit is $1,839/week (2026), with replacement rates of 70-90% of wages depending on income tier. Last updated May 2026.
How California SDI Works in 2026
Every California W-2 employee pays 1.1% of all wages — there is no taxable wage ceiling, meaning a worker earning $300,000 pays $3,300/year while a worker earning $50,000 pays $550/year. The deduction funds two benefits: State Disability Insurance (DI) for non-work-related illness or injury, and Paid Family Leave (PFL) for bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member. The maximum weekly benefit is capped at $1,839 in 2026 per the CA EDD.
Weekly Benefit Calculation (70-90% Replacement)
Benefits are calculated from your highest-earning quarter in the 5-18 months before your claim begins. Workers earning roughly 70% of the State Average Quarterly Wage (about $929/week or less in 2026) receive 90% wage replacement. Workers above that threshold receive 70%. Both tiers are capped at $1,839/week. Source: California EDD SDI and PFL benefit charts.
PFL: 8 Weeks Bonding or Family Care
Paid Family Leave provides up to 8 weeks of partial wage replacement per 12-month period. Common uses include bonding with a newborn or newly adopted child, or caring for a seriously ill family member (child, spouse, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or designated person). PFL does not provide job protection — that comes from CFRA, FMLA, or PDL laws separately. At the max $1,839/week, an 8-week PFL claim pays up to $14,712.
Common California SDI Mistakes to Avoid
(1) Assuming there's still a wage cap — SB 951 removed it for 2024+. High earners pay 1.1% on full wages. (2) Confusing SDI with FMLA — SDI pays money, FMLA protects your job. You usually need both. (3) Missing the 7-day waiting period — DI claims have a 7-day unpaid waiting period; PFL does not. (4) Forgetting tax treatment — SDI benefits are not taxable income in California; PFL benefits ARE federally taxable.