Yes, Sun Life intends to offer both fully insured and self-insured private plan administration for employers.
Effective May 1, 2026, most employers are required to provide Paid Family and Medical Leave to their employees who work in the state of Maine. The ME PFML program is designed to provide employees with the financial support they need during critical life events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, serious illness, or caring for a family member with a serious health condition.
Coverage options: Employers can meet their PFML obligation through a state-run program or by offering a private plan.
Sun Life Solutions: Sun Life offers solutions to meet your PFML needs, including the choice of a fully insured plan or a self-insured plan option.
Employers who choose private plan administration through Sun Life receive:
- A coordinated experience between PFML, Short-Term Disability and Absence Management Solutions, if applicable. This leads to a better experience for employees, with one claim submission and a single case manager handling the claim for these benefits
- Robust reporting
- Excellent claims management and access to return to work services
- Compliance guidance on PFML and other leave updates
Key dates
- January 1, 2025 – Payroll contributions begin
- May 1, 2026 – Benefits begin
Frequently asked questions
Yes. While the ME PFML law creates certain paid benefits for leave because of an employee’s own health condition or for covered caregiving reasons, the ME PFML law is not intended to replace benefits provided by employers through Short Term Disability (STD) plans and programs. It is important to know that cancelling STD benefits could leave your employees with a gap in coverage:
- Benefit amount for higher-income employees. The ME PFML max weekly benefit may be insufficient for high-income earners who require greater income replacement.
- Consequences of combined 12 weeks of family and medical leave. If an employee takes 12 weeks of family leave in a 12-month period, the employee may be left without income replacement for their own serious health condition in the same timeframe.
- Impact of intermittent leave. ME PFML can be taken intermittently so an employee may substantially reduce and/or exhaust their benefits and be left without income replacement protection if they become seriously and continuously disabled thereafter.
- STD may offer additional features and benefits. STD policies may include employee-facing features that improve their experience: first-day hospitalization, survivor benefits, and most important, return-to-work and vocational rehabilitation programs. Employees can only access these features if they are approved for STD benefits.
Additional information will be provided when available from the state.
Program highlights
Plan Name |
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) |
|---|---|
Year benefits begin |
May 1, 2026 (Contributions begin January 1, 2025) |
Coverage options |
Private plan, State plan |
Types of private plans allowed |
Fully Insured, Self-Insured (Sun Life offers administrative support for both) |
Employers covered |
All private and public employers with one or more employees, except the federal government, are covered. Tribal governments and the self-employed will be able to opt into the program. |
Employee eligibility requirements |
Employees are eligible for leave when they have earned at least six times the state average weekly wage (SAWW) during their base period. The base period is the first 4 calendar quarters immediately preceding the first day of the individual’s benefit year. |
Elimination period |
|
Reasons for leave |
|
Benefit duration |
Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for qualifying leave reasons in a benefit year. |
Benefit calculation |
The weekly benefit amount paid to covered individuals will be:
|
Maximum weekly benefit |
100% of the 2026 SAWW |
Minimum weekly benefit |
None |
Social Security wage cap |
2025: $176,100 |
State rate |
2025: 1% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap |
Maximum employee contributions |
50% of the state rate: 0.5% of wages The employer may elect to pay all or any portion of the employee’s share of contributions |
Employer contributions |
Employers with 15+ employees: 0.5% Employers with less than 15 employees: 0.0% |
State resource |
Questions?
Contact your Sun Life Employee Benefits Representative or your benefits broker to learn more.
The information on this page is based on our knowledge of the current PFML law and regulations. Content subject to change. This page is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. Employers are encouraged to consult employment law counsel for legal advice.
When available, Sun Life’s ME PFML policies will be issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (SLOC) (Wellesley Hills, MA). When available, Sun Life’s self-insured or administrative-services-only ME PFML service will be administered by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA). This service is not insurance.
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PFMLWC-2199 #1489643850 09/24 (exp. 09/26)