Compliance for Maine’s workplace retirement program
Compliance for Maine’s workplace retirement program requirement means registering for the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) or certifying an exemption. What does that mean exactly? And what are the full requirements?
To start, let’s look at which employers are required to take action:
Maine requires employers with 5 or more employees who have been in business two or more years to comply with their workplace retirement statute.
Employers meeting these criteria must either:
Register with MERIT, an easy, no-fee workplace retirement option.
OR
Certify an exemption from MERIT, which means you offer a qualified workplace retirement plan.
Let’s break these down further to understand the nuances of each.
Compliance Requirements for Maine Employers
The two paths for compliance with Maine’s workplace retirement requirement – Registration or Certifying an Exemption – require ongoing facilitation and maintenance.
Registering for MERIT: Facilitation & Compliance
Registering with Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) comes with a few steps to facilitate in order to be compliant. As an employer, if you choose to register with MERIT to be compliant there are a few necessary steps:
Complete the registration and onboarding process [link].
Accurately enter your pay schedule, payroll provider, and your entire employee roster. Please note, entering your employee information is required for compliance.
Submitting regular payroll contributions.
After 30 days, if you have employees who are active in the program, you are required to submit payroll contributions regularly on their behalf to remain compliant.
Maintain your information and employee roster.
Keeping your payroll information, employee roster, and employee changes up to date in your MERIT portal is necessary for full compliance. Adding any new employees, changing the status of terminated employees, making adjustments if you are a seasonal business, and ensuring employee contribution changes are up to date are part of the process.
Certifying an Exemption: Facilitation & Compliance
As an employer, if you already offer a qualified retirement plan, your compliance can be established with a few clicks or a quick phone call.
Go online or call to certify your exemption.
Even if you offer a plan and know you are compliant, you must certify your exemption online or by calling 833-608-8811. Exemptions can be for offering a qualified plan, for not meeting the employee count (5 or more individuals who receive a W-2, whether full-time or part-time), or for your business closing or being purchased.
Maintain your workplace retirement plan.
Once certifying your exemption, you have to continue offering a retirement option to your employees to remain compliant. Contact MERIT if your situation changes or you have questions.
Closed or Purchased Businesses
If your business recently closed or changed hands, but you are receiving notices from MERIT, just call or reach out to us. We will make the necessary changes in our system to ensure you’re no longer being contacted and identified as noncompliant.
Enforcement Timeline
Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) is starting the enforcement process in 2026 for employers who missed their deadlines in 2024 and 2025. Our goal is to have employers register or certify an exemption to avoid unnecessary penalties and fees. So if you have not yet complied with the law establishing MERIT, the best course of action is to follow through on registering or exempting your business.
Compliance for Maine’s workplace retirement program requirements is ongoing for Maine employers. If you have questions regarding the process or are seeking clarity for your business, please reach out. We are happy to discuss your concerns.
