On January 1st, employee contributions for Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (ME PFML) program began for employers who are sharing the cost of the program with their employees. For additional details about this new law, including requirements for your business, please review, What Employers Need to be Doing Now: Preparing for Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Premium Contributions.
The ME PFML Contributions Portal is open.
Important to share is that earlier this week, the Maine Department of Labor announced the Maine Paid Leave Contributions Portal opened for employer registration, linked here. All employers in Maine, regardless of your business size or number of employees, are required to set up an online account and register your business through this new portal.
According to the Maine DOL, “The online system for employers to register their business information, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions can be accessed here. All employers must register for an account to begin wage reporting in April. The portal will also allow self-employed individuals and tribal governments to elect coverage information, designate a payroll processor, file quarterly wage reports, and remit quarterly premium contributions.”
If you have questions about this new portal, the DOL provides a helpful video, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Portal Webinar for Employers.
What’s next?
Beginning April 1, 2025 employers may apply to substitute the state-run plan with an approved private plan. Private plan options will offer comparable benefits and also offer the opportunity for disability integration, streamlined administration, and an enhanced member experience. Currently the Bureau of Insurance has issued a pause in quoting on these private plans, but we plan to start obtaining quotes from private carriers as soon as this pause is lifted.
If you are interested in exploring private plan options for your business, please reach out today as we can work with you now to make sure we have the details needed to hit the ground running once private plan quoting is available. I am happy to schedule time to answer questions and discuss ME PFML details further. Our team is always available to help!
Kevin Kennedy
207.615.0560
KKennedy@AcadiaBenefits.com
This information is general and is provided for educational purposes only. It reflects our understanding of the available guidance as of the date shown and is subject to change. It is not intended to provide legal advice. You should not act on this information without consulting knowledgeable advisors.
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