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Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave

Unlocking the Potential: Privatizing PFML in Maine for Business Owners and Insurance Brokers

Privatize Maine PFML for better service and potential cost savings

Increasingly, state governments are introducing paid family leave programs to help support working parents or those who have to care for ill or aging family members. Many states include medical leave for workers in these programs, too.

Understanding Maine FMLA and PFML

On July 11, 2023, Maine governor Janet Mills signed a Paid Family and Medical Leave program into law. Contributions began in January 2025.

On May 1, 2026, full and part time employees can begin claiming benefits by submitting a PFML application on the state website or through their insurance carrier if they have a private plan through their employer.

The Maine Department of Labor administrates claims through AFLAC, so employers without a private plan will want to offer guidance on how to submit an AFLAC claim.

Privatizing Maine PFL makes it easier for business owners and employees to file claims and receive personalized service through The DBL Center's trusted network of carriers.

Why PFML Matters to Business Owners in Maine

Nearby Massachusetts successfully implemented a similar paid family and medical leave program in January 2021. Connecticut also has a plan in effect, which started paying benefits to eligible employees in January 2022. The DBL Center ranked Massachusetts and Connecticut 5th and 7th, respectively, on our list of Best Paid Family Leave programs in 2026, based on availability, premium costs, and benefits.

Maine’s new legislation will make Maine more competitive when it comes to attracting talent in the New England region.

Maine PFML By The Numbers

Maine’s PFML program collects 1% of employee wages (up to that year’s Social Security wage cap) for employers with 15+ employees.

The contribute rate will typically be split 50 / 50 between the worker and the employer. Small businesses with fewer than 15 employees pay a premium of 0.5% of the employee’s wages up to the wage cap. This can be fully covered by the employee, although employers can opt to cover those premium costs.

To qualify for coverage, a Maine employee must have earned at least six times the state average weekly wage ($7,188 in 2025) in the prior year.

Beginning May 1, 2026, Maine pays PMFL beneficiaries 90% of the state’s average weekly wage on their earnings up to 50% of the SAWW, and 66% of their average weekly wage on earnings that exceed 50% of SAWW.

The maximum weekly benefit is equal to the state’s average weekly wage, calculated each July 1. For 2025 through June 30, 2026, the maximum benefit is $1,198.84, but this may rise on July 1, 2026.

Employees can qualify for paid family and medical leave benefits for up to 12 weeks across any 12-month period for:

  • An employee’s serious health condition or organ donation
  • To care for or bond with a newborn or newly adopted child or foster child (of the employee or the employee’s domestic partner)
  • To care for a family member with a serious health condition
  • Military exigency of an employee’s family member
  • The death of a family member in the US military during active duty
  • Safety and recovery following abuse or violence

Like Connecticut, Maine uses a very broad definition of a family member, including any “family-like relationship.”

Choices for Maine Business Owners Mean Opportunities for Insurance Brokers

Unlocking the Potential: The Case for Privatizing PFML in Maine

It’s important to emphasize that this is a statutory benefit, so family leave laws apply to employers with at least one worker in Maine.

Business owners have choices when it comes to their PFML insurance carrier.

As in Connecticut and Massachusetts, business owners in Maine have the option of privatizing PFML to enjoy the benefits of:

  • Faster, more flexible payouts
  • Better service
  • Cost savings

Private plans must offer benefit amounts and durations equal to or greater than the state plan, with premium costs less than or equal to the state premiums.

Why Choose The DBL Center for Maine Paid Family Leave

Empowering Brokers: Delivering Savings and Service Excellence in PFML

Since 2017 when New York introduced Paid Family Leave as a rider to its statutory short-term disability program (NYS DBL), our company has helped thousands of brokers deliver the lowest premiums and best service for paid family leave benefits and claims.

By leveraging our relationships with top carriers, we secure the best prices for our brokers, who pass that savings on to their clients. Often, business owners opt to put that money into ancillary benefits, such as voluntary worksite benefits, dental, vision, or group life/AD&D.

This provides added profit potential for brokers and builds stronger relationships with their clients. When you, as the broker, can act as a trusted resource for everything related to employee benefits, you can create customers for life.

You can rely on The DBL Center to act as your white-label, back-office staff and administrator. We provide the reports and data you need to show your clients the advantages of privatizing PFML and bundling other benefits packages, too.

As Maine business owners begin to grapple with the added cost of PFML, insurance brokers are well-poised to act as a trusted resource. The DBL Center team has the knowledge and experience you need to introduce this crucial required benefit to your clients.

Contact us to join our network of trusted brokers delivering lower premiums and better service while growing their book of business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maine PFML is the state’s statutory paid family and medical leave program, offering workers of up to 12 weeks paid leave to care for an ill relative, for the birth of a child, or for their own, non-work related illness or injury.

Maine PFML is available as of May 1, 2026, for all full-time, eligible workers at qualifying companies in the public or private sector.

If Maine follows the standards of other paid family and medical leave programs in New England, Maine employees will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a child in its first year of life, adoption, or under foster care, or to care for a sick or disabled family member. They can also take up to 12 weeks’ leave for their own non-work-related illness or injury.

Maine PFML uses a two-tiered system to calculate benefits, with a maximum benefit amount equal to the state’s average weekly wage (SAWW). The SAWW is calculated every July 1. PFML in Maine pays 90% of an employee’s average weekly wages up to 50% of the state’s average weekly wage. For any portion of wages exceeding the SAWW, PFML pays 66% of the employees average weekly earnings. 

When insurance brokers help business owners privatize required benefits through The DBL Center, they can enjoy tremendous cost savings. In other states, businesses can save 15% to 20% on required benefits. They can use that savings to bundle other ancillary and voluntary worksite benefits to create more enticing packages for employees.

Plus, The DBL Center offers our brokers white-label, white-glove service for their clients and access to our Broker Dashboard: Net Revenue Tracker, an industry-first app that allows you to track commissions, renewals and cancellations with a click.

The Benefits

Learn how DBL Center white glove service can help brokers like you expand your book of business with new clients

How it works

Select your carrier, Fill out the forms, Get approved It's that simple! White glove service you & your clients deserve.

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