[SchoolFinance] Processing PFML benefit payments

[Adam Hanson]

Hi Dawn,
Yes, this is the "Fica Match" service that was offered by Guardian to
everyone who enrolled through MSMA. I didn't understand what it was at
first, but a couple months ago either on a zoom or in some materials I was
reading from Guardian, it explained our responsibility to pay and report
the ER share of Fica, but that we could pay an additional percent and
have them handle all of it. We thought it was a no-brainer. If you reach
out to MSMA or Guardian you might still be able to sign up for the service.

On Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 8:31 AM Dawn Fickett <dfickett at msad37.org> wrote:

> Adam,
> Did they offer that service to you as we are under Guardian as well and no
> one has mentioned that to me.  I had a zoom meeting last week and they did
> not indicate that was an option.  That was the first I heard about us
> having to pay the FICA match.
> Dawn
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 8:25 AM Adam Hanson <
> ahanson at lewistonpublicschools.org> wrote:
>
>> We are using The Guardian through MSMA for a private plan. We are paying
>> them an additional fee to handle all of the payments and reporting of
>> FICA/Medicare taxes. We think it is well worth it as it would be incredibly
>> difficult and burdensome for our payroll staff to try to pay and report all
>> of that.
>>
>> I haven't heard anything about the state PFML payments being Maine PERS
>> earnable comp. Did they issue guidance on that?
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 2:52 PM Krol, Gabrielle <
>> gabrielle.krol at msad52.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Good Afternoon,
>>>
>>> Have any of you discussed with your private company who will pay the
>>> benefits if an employee applies for coverage? We have found that the PFML
>>> payments will partially be subject to employer FICA/Medicare (for half of
>>> the benefits since the district is covering that portion).  In addition, it
>>> seems that MainePERS will also consider this earnable compensation and
>>> contributions will need to be made for the benefits.
>>>
>>> We are trying to determine if it is best for the provider to pay the
>>> district and we will pay the employee so we can ensure that employer taxes
>>> are paid, MSRS is paid properly, and I am sure other things that I am not
>>> thinking of at the moment.
>>>
>>> I am seeing this law as something that is spiraling!
>>>
>>> Thoughts and comments are welcome.
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Gabrielle Krol
>>> Business Manager
>>> MSAD 52
>>> 486 Turner Center Road
>>> Turner, ME 04282
>>> 207-225-1006
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Adam Hanson
>> Controller
>> Lewiston Public Schools
>> 36 Oak Street
>> Lewiston, ME 04240
>> Phone: (207) 795-4100, ext. 4051
>> Fax: (207) 795-4177
>>
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>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
>
> *Dawn L. FickettAssistant SuperintendentRSU/SAD #37*
> *1020 Sacarap Road*
>
>
> *Harrington ME 04643Telephone: 207-483-2734Fax: 207-483-6051*
>
> *"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from
> you." *— *B.B. King*
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-- 
Adam Hanson
Controller
Lewiston Public Schools
36 Oak Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
Phone: (207) 795-4100, ext. 4051
Fax: (207) 795-4177

LEGAL CONFIDENTIAL: The information in this email, and any attachment, may
contain legally privileged information. It is intended only for the
attention and use of the named recipient. If you are not the intended
recipient, you are not authorized to retain, disclose, copy or distribute
the message and/or any of its attachments. If you received this email in
error, please notify me and delete this message. Thank you.

1-855-938-0657 لترجمة هذه الوثيقة، يرجى الاتصال

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Pour vous faire interpréter cet email, prière d'appeler le 1-855-938-0657


Para receber uma interpretação deste email, faz favor de ligar
para 1-855-938-0657

For interpretation in Kiswahili (Swahili), Shqip (Albanian), Farsi, Kreyòl
Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), 普通话 (Mandarin), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ(Punjabi), and Русский
(Russian), please call 1-855-938-0656

For interpretation in Español (Spanish), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), and
Ikinyarwanda (Kinyarwanda), please call 1-855-938-0657

For interpretation of this document in other languages, please call (207)
795-4103
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