NY PFL Calculator 2026
New York Paid Family Leave 2026: employees pay 0.388% of average weekly wage (capped at the state AWW). Benefit pays 67% of AWW up to a $1,177.32 cap on covered AWW, max $399/week. Up to 12 weeks of leave per 52-week period.
| Average weekly wage (AWW) | — |
| Capped AWW (max $1,757.19 in 2026) | — |
| Employee rate (2026) | 0.388% |
| Weekly deduction | — |
| Annual deduction | — |
| Benefit rate | 67% of AWW |
| Weekly PFL benefit (max $399) | — |
| Total payout (your leave weeks) | — |
New York Paid Family Leave (PFL) is funded by a 0.388% employee payroll deduction in 2026, with NO employer contribution required. Eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks per 52-week period to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member, or assist when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service. Last updated May 2026.
How NY PFL Works in 2026
New York PFL is the most generous family leave program in the US in terms of duration (12 weeks) but is wage-capped. The 2026 employee contribution rate is 0.388% of gross wages, capped at the New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW) — which means a maximum annual deduction of about $354 in 2026. Workers earning above the NYSAWW pay the same flat cap. Employers cannot legally fund PFL contributions; only employees pay. Source: NY Paid Family Leave Board.
Benefit Calculation: 67% of AWW
PFL benefits replace 67% of your average weekly wage, capped at 67% of the NYSAWW. In 2026, the max weekly benefit is $1,177.32 (67% of $1,757.19 NYSAWW). Multiplied across the full 12-week leave, that's a maximum payout of around $14,128. Lower earners receive proportionally less — but always 67% of their actual AWW. The benefit is taxable as federal income but NOT subject to FICA.
12 Weeks of Leave — Use Cases
You can use NY PFL to (1) bond with a newborn, adopted, or fostered child within the first 12 months; (2) care for a family member with a serious health condition — including spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling; or (3) assist when a spouse, child, or parent is called to active military service abroad. PFL provides JOB PROTECTION — your employer must restore you to the same or comparable role.
Common NY PFL Mistakes
(1) Confusing PFL with DBL — DBL (Disability Benefits Law) covers YOUR own non-work illness; PFL covers FAMILY care. Different forms, different benefits. (2) Thinking benefits are tax-free — they are federally taxable. The carrier withholds taxes if you elect on Form W-4S. (3) Skipping required documentation — bonding leave needs birth certificate or adoption papers; family-care leave requires a healthcare provider certification. (4) Missing the 26-week eligibility — full-time workers qualify after 26 consecutive weeks; part-time after 175 days worked.