Skip to content
Opinion
Kathryn A. Edwards

When Will US Workers Get Paid Leave? Try 2035

Social Security is the best home for a federal paid family leave program. But Congress probably won’t touch it anytime soon.

He’ll have to wait a while.

He’ll have to wait a while.

Photographer: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Most wealthy countries provide workers with paid time off when they become parents, fall ill or need to care for loved ones. It's one of the great no-brainers of public policy: It benefits newborns, families and the entire economy.

The US is a glaring exception. It could reap enormous gains by creating a national paid family leave program. Sadly, its best chance to do so probably won't come until 2035.