Delaware paid family and medical leave

Beginning January 1, 2026, most Delaware workers will be eligible for paid family and medical leave under Delaware’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law.

PFML is available to covered individuals who work in Delaware. This includes individuals who have worked 1,250 hours in the 12 months prior to leave.

An employer may opt out of the state program by having a state-approved voluntary plan.

Key features

Coverage options	State plan or state-approved voluntary private plan
Funding began January 1, 2024	Premiums are .8% of wages to the Social Security cap <10 lives, employee pays 50% of premium and only the employee portion is due to the state 10+ lives, employer and employee split cost- 50% employer, 50% employee
Waiting period	0 days
Benefit (begins January 1, 2026)	80% of employee’s average weekly wage
Maximum benefit	$900 per week effective January 1, 2028
Benefit duration (within a 52 consecutive week period)	6 weeks of paid medical leave in a 24 month period 6 weeks of paid family leave in a 24 month period 12 weeks of parental leave in a 12 month period, as defined by FMLA

Get more information from the state of Delaware.

Principal^® will offer a solution

Principal will begin quoting Delaware PFML plans by the end of first quarter of 2024. Our state- approved voluntary private plan will be available when you have other group insurance products with us.

You can be assured Principal is committed to offering a private plan that meets your obligation under the paid family and medical leave law as a Delaware employer. Our fully insured product is available to employers who offer at least one other qualifying, insured Principal product (group term life^*, dental, vision, or long-term disability) and have 10 or more employees working in Delaware.

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Talk to your financial professional to design a benefit offering that meets the specific needs of your business and employees.

Delaware paid family and medical leave