Treasurer Joe Perry shared key financial figures today for the month of December.
The State of Maine Cash Pool represents investments permissible by Maine Statute: Title 5: Administrative Procedures and Services, Part 1: State Departments, Chapter 7: Treasurer of State, Section 135, and consists of excess money in the State Treasury that is 'not needed to meet current obligations'. The State funds and funds of component units of the State are pooled and invested by the Treasurer's Office; generally most securities are held to maturity or called when the par value of the security is received.
The Budget Stabilization Fund (sometimes referred to as the Rainy Day Fund) was created in 2003.
The Budget Stabilization Fund acts as the State of Maine’s savings account. It is a reserve balance that is set aside in good economic times to protect the state budget from the volatile changes in revenues that can occur when the economy unexpectedly slows. The goal of the Fund is to reduce the effect on the operation and services of state government and prevent policymakers from increasing taxes during sudden economic downturns.
Revenue Sharing is distributed per Title 30-A, Subpart 9, Chapter 223, Subchapter 2, Section 5681, by the 20th of each month to each municipality based on a formula whose variables include municipal populations, state valuations and tax assessments. The monthly revenue sharing pool is funded by setting aside a percentage of the State Government's sales, service provider, personal and corporate income tax receipts for the month. For a detailed description of how the funds are calculated and distributed, please see the Calculate Revenue Sharing. December’s distribution was $19,099,025.76. (November’s distribution was $ 23,983,913.58; December 2024’s distribution was $20,179,123.48).
Unclaimed Property consists of money and other financial assets that are considered lost or abandoned when an owner cannot be located after a specified period of time of inactivity. It includes items such as bank accounts, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, unpaid wages, stocks and dividends, refunds, and safe deposit box contents. Unclaimed Property does not include real estate, animals or vehicles.
Each and every year, tens of millions of dollars go unclaimed by Maine residents. These financial assets are turned over by thousands of national and local businesses and organizations by a law called MRSA Title 33, Chapter 45: Maine Revised Unclaimed Property Act. http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/33/title33ch45sec0.html. The Treasurer’s office holds these assets, free of charge, until claimed by the owner or heir. The State is currently holding approximately $395,000,000 in unclaimed property. In the month of December, 1,900 claims paid for $2,176,869.98 (10,780 properties paid).
Highest single payment in December 2025 was for $120,542 (Mutual Fund). Last December 2024 paid 2,604 claims for $2,334,989.27 (15,783 properties paid). November 2025 paid 1,814 for $1,536,072.46 (3,723 properties paid).
SPECIAL FEATURE: Over 18,000 Mainers Reach $25 Million Saved for Retirement Using MERIT
Maine workers have reached a major retirement milestone, saving more than $25 million through the Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT). Achieved in less than two years since MERIT’s full launch in January 2024, the milestone reflects growing participation statewide, with more than 18,200 employees now actively building retirement savings—many for the first time.
MERIT empowers the financial future of Maine workers, employers, and taxpayers with an easy, low-cost, and trusted workplace retirement savings program. Maine employers can now access an easy, no-fee way for their employees to save for the future, while Maine workers have access to a simple retirement savings option that follows them from job to job.
“Reaching $25 million saved by hardworking Mainers is a major step forward,” said MERIT Board Chair, State Treasurer, Joseph Perry. “When saving is accessible, people take advantage of it. MERIT makes it possible for thousands of Mainers to take control of their financial future.”
Currently, MERIT has over 3,000 Maine employers participating. Employers and employees alike are finding that MERIT removes barriers to saving, expanding access to workplace retirement savings. With more Mainers contributing each month, the program continues to build momentum toward greater financial security statewide.
MERIT will continue expanding access and awareness, with outreach underway to employers with five or more employees and who have been in business for two years. Those employers must register for the program or certify an exemption stating they already offer a qualified plan.
Visit meritsaves.com/employers for more information, to register, or to certify an exemption. You can also call 833-608-8811.
About MERIT: Maine’s Path to a Stronger Retirement Future: Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) was established by the Maine Legislature in 2021 to provide a state-facilitated workplace retirement savings program for employees without employer-sponsored plans. MERIT’s mission is to help Maine workers build retirement savings through a simple, low-cost, and trusted plan that benefits Maine’s workforce, employers, and taxpayers. To learn more, visit meritsaves.org.
About the Office of the Treasurer: the Office of the Treasurer of State is established in Article V, Part Third of the Constitution of the State of Maine. The core duties of the Treasurer’s Office are debt management, cash management, trust fund administration and unclaimed property administration. Other major tasks assigned to the Treasurer are directorships on many of Maine’s quasi-governmental debt issuing agencies and distributions under the Municipal Revenue Sharing Program.
###