Free tool for laid-off workers
Severance Pay Calculator
No federal law requires severance pay in the US. When an employer offers it, the amount is usually based on how long you worked there. Enter your pay and years of service to see what example weeks-per-year formulas pay, and what your offer is worth in weeks.
What each formula pays
Enter your pay and years of service.
- 1 week per year—
- 2 weeks per year—
- 3 weeks per year—
Gross amounts before tax, from the numbers you entered. Not legal advice or a promise of what an employer must pay.
Before you sign
Does the federal Fair Labor Standards Act require severance pay?
No. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act has no severance requirement. Severance is generally a matter of agreement between you and your employer and is usually based on how long you were employed, but state-law requirements may apply.
How long do I have to decide whether to sign a severance agreement?
If you are 40 or older and the agreement waives age discrimination claims, you must get at least 21 days to consider it, or 45 days when two or more people are let go in the same program. After you sign, you have 7 days to revoke your signature.
EEOC: Understanding waivers in severance agreements(opens in new tab)
What if my employer gave no notice of a mass layoff?
The federal WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice of covered plant closings and mass layoffs. Workers who did not get the notice can recover back pay and benefits for each day of the violation, up to 60 days.
Can I collect unemployment if I get severance pay?
It depends on your state. Some states delay or reduce unemployment benefits while you receive severance and others do not, so ask your state's unemployment agency before you file.
CareerOneStop: Find your state's unemployment benefits(opens in new tab)
See which companies are cutting jobs on the Metaintro layoffs tracker, or browse live jobs by role and city.