[SchoolFinance] Processing PFML benefit payments

Thu Mar 19 09:20:22 EDT 2026

I guess we didn't realize what it was...I'll reach out to them!  Thanks!

On Thu, Mar 19, 2026 at 8:40 AM Adam Hanson <
ahanson at lewistonpublicschools.org> wrote:

> 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*
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
> 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
>
> Haddii aad rabto in lagu turjumo warqadani, fadlan soo wac 1-855-938-0657
>
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> SchoolFinance mailing list
> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance

-- 

*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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