The Maine Department of Labor (DOL) has released the requirements for private insurance plans designed to replace the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Once these plans receive DOL approval, insurance companies will be able to present proposals to our customers.
At Allen, we are confident that insurance companies are actively initiating their filing processes. However, the state has yet to provide a timeline for the approval of these plans. We will keep our customers informed as developments occur.
In the meantime, we encourage you to connect with us for any insights or questions about planning for the PFML for your company.
Martha Wentworth, CIC, CRM, CPRM, was recently recognized for professional leadership and advanced knowledge by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.
Martha was awarded a certificate of achievement recognizing 20 consecutive years of successfully maintaining the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. The CIC designation requires an annual continuing education update ensuring that her education is always up-to-date and relevant.
Martha is a business insurance producer who serves clients across Maine from the Allen’s Waterville office.
In addition to her CIC designations, Wentworth maintains the Certified risk Manager (CRM) and Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) designations. She recently celebrated her 25th work anniversary with the company.
“The CIC program’s unwavering dedication to fostering professional excellence has set a high standard in our industry,” said Dan Bookham, senior vice president for business development at Allen. “Martha’s consistent pursuit of growth and development is truly inspiring, serving as a model for her colleagues within our company and across the Maine insurance community.”
ABOUT THE CIC PROGRAM: The CIC Program is nationally recognized as the premier continuing education program for insurance professionals, with programs offered in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Society of CIC is a not-for-profit organization and the founding program of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.
Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, effective May 2026, offers up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave annually for family, medical, military exigency, and abuse or violence-related reasons. Payments from employers to fund this program will begin effective January 2025. We understand that this is a complex regulation and want to provide you with an understanding of what the law requires of you as an employer.
All employers must register in the Maine Paid Leave Portal by early 2025.
Contributions start in January 2025, split between employees and employers with 15+ employees. Employers with fewer than 15 employees are not required to share in the cost and can require full payment by their employees.
Eligible employees must have earned wages in Maine during the prior four quarters before the benefit period begins of at least six times the state average weekly wage.
Self-employed individuals can opt-in for at least three years.
Public employees under existing collective bargaining agreements as of October 25, 2023, are exempt until the agreement expires.
Leave reasons include serious health conditions, bonding with a new child, caring for a family member, military exigency, and safe leave for victims of violence.
Employees receive partial wage replacement after a seven-day waiting period, with compensation rates of 90% for wages up to 50% of the state average weekly wage and 66% for wages above that.
Employers must provide notice of PFML benefits to employees and restore them to their positions after leave.
Private plans can be used if they offer equivalent benefits.
PFML runs concurrently with federal FMLA and Maine family and medical leave.
This PDF provides links and resources to assist you with administration and understanding of your responsibilities as an employer.
As this law evolves, we will endeavor to keep you updated. If you have questions, please contact your benefits account team at Allen.
Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (MPFML) is designed to provide workers up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave per year, starting in May 2026. Leave will be permitted for family and medical reasons, military exigency and reasons resulting from abuse or violence. While the 1% state premium tax took effect on January 1, 2025, the first paid benefits won’t begin until May 1, 2026. This long lead time allows the state to pre-fund the program, and it gives businesses time to prepare for possible alternatives.
Insurance companies should be ready soon to provide quotes for private replacement plans. If your business has 15 or more employees and you would like us to contact you when quoting is available, please fill out the form below.
The state will begin accepting applications for private insurance plans that can substitute for the state-run program on April 1. If approved, employers would be excused from paying the state’s 1% premium after the first quarter of 2025. With private plans commencing coverage on May 1, 2026, this strategy could create significant cost savings for businesses during the interim, without any loss in benefit coverage.
