Severance Pay Calculators by US State
Estimate your severance pay for any US state. Select your state below to use a calculator with state-specific information about typical severance practices.
All 50 US States
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About Severance Pay in the United States
Unlike many other developed countries, the United States has no federal law requiring employers to provide severance pay. Severance is generally considered voluntary compensation, though it may be required by:
- Employment contracts: Individual agreements may guarantee severance
- Company policy: Written policies may create binding obligations
- Collective bargaining: Union agreements often include severance provisions
- WARN Act: Requires 60 days notice or pay for mass layoffs (100+ employees)
Typical US Severance Practices
- Formula: 1-2 weeks of pay per year of service is most common
- Caps: Many employers cap severance at 26 weeks (6 months) or less
- Executives: Often receive more generous packages (3-4+ weeks per year)
- Minimum tenure: Some employers require 1+ year of service for eligibility
State-Specific Considerations
While no US state mandates general severance pay, some states have specific requirements:
- WARN Act extensions: California, New York, and several other states have mini-WARN acts with stricter requirements
- PTO payout: Some states require payout of unused vacation regardless of severance
- Final pay timing: State laws vary on when final paychecks (including severance) must be paid