[SchoolFinance] Processing PFML benefit payments

[Carrie Colley]

Wendy,
Was this in the Tax Reporting Options of the application?  What options
should we have chosen to have Guardian handle the taxes?

Carrie

On Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM Wendy Bradstreet <wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org>
wrote:

> Dawn - that was in the application we submitted back in January/February.
> Our District did the same as it is well worth the cost as opposed to the
> headache it will cause.
> *Wendy Bradstreet*
> *RSU29 Business Manager*
> *PO Box 190*
> *Houlton ME 04730*
> *(207)538-3137*
> *wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org <wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org>*
>
>
>
> 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
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-- 
Carrie Colley
Director of Finance & Operations
M.S.A.D. #17
232 Main Street, Suite 2
South Paris, Maine 04281
207-743-8972
207-743-2878 (Fax)
c.colley at msad17.org
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