What is Earnable Compensation?



This is one of the most frequent questions from employers when reporting weekly or monthly employee payments and when calculating final payments at an employee’s retirement. Earnable compensation must be reported for employees eligible for MainePERS membership. Payments that are not earnable compensation are not reported to MainePERS. Timely and accurate reporting is essential for ensuring employees receive proper credit for payments received and is a critical part of their retirement benefit calculation.

While some payments are straightforward, regular wages, overtime, etc., other payment may depend upon the circumstances, such as longevity pay, administrative leave, etc. To assist employers in determining what is and what is not “earnable compensation”, MainePERS has updated its Earnable Compensation Fact Sheet. The new format seeks to provide guidance on common payments employees receive and whether or not these payments are considered earnable compensation.

If after reviewing this guide you continue to have questions about earnable compensation, please contact your Employer Reporting Account Associate for assistance.

Employer Training

MainePERS offers a half day Employer Training Session each month via Zoom. The training can provide the basics to new staff or an excellent refresher or opportunity to fine tune your understanding of Employer Self-Service (ESS). Topics include Accessing ESS, Understanding Eligibility and Enrollment, Navigating ESS, and Survivor Services and Group Life Insurance (GLI) Highlights.

You may also request training on specific topics or group training for multiple members of your payroll and human resources staff. To register for a training session, request training on a specific topic, or find out more, please contact Employer Reporting at 1-800-451-9800 or by email at employer@mainepers.org.

Digital Signatures with DocuSign



Did you know that MainePERS accepts digital signatures on Pre-Retirement Death Beneficiary and Group Life Insurance Beneficiary forms using “DocuSign?” This digital option allows your employees to complete and submit forms easily, quickly, and securely online. The Employer Forms section of the MainePERS website identifies those documents available through DocuSign. Step-by-step directions are available within the form signing process itself.

DocuSign is an option for employees to complete and submit some forms in an electronic format. All forms continue to be available for download and manual completion in paper format with a signature and can be returned to MainePERS via mail or in-person drop-off. 

MainePERS Online Member Portal

Coming Fall 2023

MainePERS is planning to launch a secure online Member Portal as soon as fall 2023 for active and retired members that will offer convenient access to their MainePERS account information. This online portal will be rolled out in phases over a period of months. Additional details, including how to login, will be provided as each phased grouping is invited to participate.

Participating in the Member Portal is optional. The active members and retirees who choose to register and create a user account will have access to the following:

The ability to see:

• For active members, the most recent and all available member account statements
• For retired members, recent and all available disbursements
• Current beneficiary elections for all applicable benefits (pension, Group Life Insurance)

The ability to access, download, and print certain documents from January 2018 forward that MainePERS has received from the member, has sent to the member, or otherwise has on-file in the member’s account, such as:

• Advice of Deposit detail (Electronic Fund Transfer disbursement details) Refund Application
• Retirement Application
• W-4P/W-4R (Tax withholding forms)
• Member Statements
• 1099 Tax Forms
• Group Life Insurance application
• Preliminary Benefit Letter
• Benefit Estimates
• Notice of Retirement
• Final Benefit Letter
• Service Credit Purchase - Cost Statements
• Service Credit Purchase informational letters
• Refund Statements
• Benefit Verifications
• Beneficiary Updates
• Pre-retirement death benefits selection forms

The ability to update:

• Physical Address
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Gender

The ability to access:

• Forms
• Handbooks
• The mainepers.org website and its services and additional information

Nearly every service that will be available through the Member Portal currently requires a phone call or an exchange of correspondence with MainePERS to receive information or complete a transaction. The online portal will provide 24/7 access to a member’s own account information at their convenience.