As of May 1, 2026, most Maine workers will be eligible for paid family and medical leave under Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law.
PFML is available to covered individuals who work in Maine. This includes individuals who have earned at least six times the state’s average weekly wage that would be subject to premium in the preceding 4 quarters prior to leave.
An employer may opt out of the state program by having a state-approved private plan.
| Coverage options | State plan or state-approved private plan. Principal® offers a fully insured private plan option. |
|---|---|
| Funding | The state rate is 1.0% of wages to the Social Security contribution limit.
If an employer chooses a private plan, employees cannot contribute more than they would under the state plan. |
Waiting period |
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Benefit | Weekly benefit is calculated at 90% of employees’ average weekly wages—up to 50% of the state’s current average weekly wage. Plus, employees receive 66% of their average weekly wages that are above 50% of the state’s current average weekly wage. |
| Maximum benefit | Set annually at 100% of the current SAWW, effective July 1 through June 30 of the following year. For the current SAWW, please refer to our Statutory & PFML Benefit Highlights resource. |
Benefit duration (within a 52 consecutive week period) | Combined paid family and medical leave – 12 weeks |
Submitting a claim
To start a PFML claim, complete and
Or, complete and submit the appropriate PFML claim form:
Bond with a child (PDF) Serious health condition (PDF) Care for covered service member or qualifying exigency (PDF) Family violence (PDF)
We’re here to help by offering a state-approved voluntary private plan. When you have other group insurance products with us, it’s easy to add this solution. Plus, you get the same top-level service that comes with any of our products.
You can be assured Principal is committed to offering a private plan that meets your obligation under the paid family and medical leave law as a Maine employer. Our fully insured product is available to employers who offer at least one other qualifying, insured Principal product (group term life
Get more information about the private plan solution from Principal.
Learn about our alternative solution to the state plan (PDF) .Share with employees (PDF) .
Talk to your financial professional to design a benefit offering that meets the specific needs of your business and employees.