When an employee with MainePERS group life insurance goes on an unpaid leave of absence, notify the Survivor Services unit at MainePERS of the leave using a ”Transfer in” or Personnel Status Change Form (MM-0001) or Human Resource Profile (HRP) to MainePERS. This will alert the Survivor Services Unit to bill the employee for group life insurance premiums.	The employee is responsible for making timely premium payments while on leave even if part, or all, of their premiums are usually paid by the employer. If the employee chooses not to pay the premiums, coverage will cease. MainePERS cannot honor a claim if coverage is not in effect.

2009 MaineSTART Contribution Limits

The Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments applicable to contribution limits for retirement plans for the 2009 Tax Year. The maximum amount an individual may defer into a 401(a) or 457 Plan(s) for 2009 is increasing from $15,500 to $16,500.

Individuals age 50 or over in the 2009 calendar year may contribute an additional $5500. For more information about this plan please contact a MaineSTART representative.

Participating Local District Update

The System extends a warm welcome to new and returning Participating Local District (PLD) employers and their employees. Bowdoinham Water District and the Thompson Free Library are the newest employers to join the PLD Consolidated Plan. Returning to MainePERS is the Town of Wilton. If you are an employer who participates in our MaineSTART Defined Contribution plan, or is considering enrolling, and would like an on-site presentation, please e-mail us at dcadmin@mainepers.org or contact a MaineSTART representative.

MainePERS’ Teacher Unit wants to thank you for your cooperation and assistance during this, and every, “teacher retirement season.” With your support, more than 500 teacher members retired at the end of the 2007/2008 school year. We appreciate all that you do all year round.
MainePERS Annual Report

The MainePERS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 is available. The Report contains the financial transactions of the retirement system for the fiscal year, the assets and liabilities of the retirement system at the end of the fiscal year, and the actuary’s report on the actuarial valuation of the retirement system for the fiscal year. Current and past editions of the CAFR are always available via the Publications section at www.mainepers.org.


Accounts Payable Reminder		Application for Membership Now Online
Employers, please make sure your remittances are made payable to MainePERS or Maine Public Employees Retirement System.		Employers will find the latest MainePERS Membership Application on the Employer Section of MainePERS website: www.mainepers.org. Click on Employer, Employer’s Home, Forms and you will see the Application for Membership form (CL-0102) for State, Teacher, Judicial and Legislative and a distinct form (CL-0102P) for Participating Local District membership. This is a form that can be completed online but must be printed, signed and submitted to MainePERS.

2009 Employer Training Schedule

MainePERS offers training for Teacher and PLD payroll personnel at our office in Augusta. Both the full and half-day trainings cover membership, retirement, forms and reporting requirements. The full-day training also includes an overview of MainePERS Disability, Group Life Insurance, Survivor Benefits and Deferred Compensation programs.		To register for one of our Wednesday training sessions, contact the Employer Services Unit at (207) 512-3200, or toll-free at 1-800-451-9800, or you may register on-line at mainepers.org/Employers. Full-day trainings are from 8:30am–3:00pm and half-day trainings are from 8:30am–12:30pm.
Teacher and School Support Employers Half Day Training March 18, 2009 May 20, 2009 July 22, 2009 September 16, 2009 November 18, 2009 Full Day Training February 11, 2009 April 15, 2009 June 10, 2009 August 12, 2009 October 14, 2009		Participating Local District Employers Half Day Training February 18, 2009 April 22, 2009 June 17, 2009 August 19, 2009 October 21, 2009 Full Day Training March 11, 2009 May 13, 2009 July 15, 2009 September 9, 2009 November 12, 2009* *Note: Thursday date due to holiday

MainePERS On-Site Presentations The new year is always a good time for employees to review their retirement planning. If you would like to schedule a meeting at your location, please contact the State, Teacher or PLD Unit at 1-800-451-9800 or by e-mail.