The following is the monthly update from Doug Kelly, our Regional Representative to the Board of Pensions.  Please share this with your pastor, commissioned lay pastor and other church workers.

In Memoriam

It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the death of Bill Forbes after his long and Spirit-filled battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill served the Board of Pensions as vice president of Church Relations and corporate secretary from 2003 until his death on June 30, 2009.

A beloved minister of the Word and Sacrament, Bill formerly served congregations in Westfield, NJ, Princeton, NJ, Atlanta, GA, and Houston, TX, and on the General Assembly staffs of the former United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. His profound love for the Presbyterian Church and all its members was evident in his joyful and faithful ministry – from the congregations he served to his national church service. We, and the entire Church, mourn his loss and give thanks for his life.

Medical Plan Changes Outlined in The Board Bulletin

At their June meeting, the Board of Directors approved a number of modifications to the Medical Plan, as detailed in the Summer 2009 issue of The Board Bulletin. These modifications simplify a complex Plan while maintaining its fundamental tenets. 

The majority of the Plan design changes are the result of the federally mandated “mental health parity.” This means that the benefit provided for medical services cannot exceed the benefit provided for mental health services. For a detailed chart of the changes in copayments, deductibles, reimbursement limits, etc., effective January 1, 2010, please refer to The Board Bulletin.

Also effective January 1, ActiveHealth Management will take over as our health management provider. It will provide a full spectrum of health management services for Benefits Plan members, including pre-certification, case management, and disease management.

In addition, “habilitative” services for children with congenital developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome and autism, will be covered under the Benefits Plan, effective January 1, 2010. This new coverage is the result of the expansion of the definition of “medical necessity” in the Plan.

And effective October 1, 2009, a dependent coverage waiver has been added to the Medical Plan. This new provision allows active Plan members to waive coverage for their eligible spouses and/or dependent children if they have comparable medical coverage through other employer or military services-related group healthcare plans.

For additional information on these and other changes, please see The Board Bulletin.

Salary Study and Reports Released 

The Salaries in the Parish Ministry 2009 Salary Study, the Clergy Effective Salaries Compared by Congregation Size and Years of Service report, the Clergy Effective Salaries Compared by Synod report, and the Median Salaries and Dues Minimums and Maximums for 2010 are now available on Pensions.org.

The 2009 Salary Study reports the median and average effective salaries for minister members of the Benefits Plan who are serving U.S. congregations, which determines the dues minimums and maximums for 2010.

 
The clergy effective salaries reports tabulate a range of effective salary data to assist decision-makers in reviewing clergy compensation.

Please see the study and reports for details.

 
Your Annual Statement of Benefits Mailed

 
Your Annual Statement of Benefits mailed early this month to all active Benefits Plan members as of January 1, 2009.
 

This personalized publication details the benefits coverage of the member and his/her family, if applicable. Members are encouraged to review their statement for accuracy.

 
Retirement Savings Plan Midyear Review Provided

The 2009 Midyear Review of the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provides a brief history of 403(b) plans, a summary of the important elements of the final 403(b) regulations and how they impact the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (RSP), and an RSP participation summary for 2007 and 2008.

Audio Replay of 2009 Regional Benefits Consultations Available

The audio replay of the plenary sessions at the Regional Benefits Consultations is now available on Pensions.org.

Following the welcome and worship, the Rev. Dr. Jefferson K. Aiken, Jr., chair, Board of Directors, gave his remarks. Robert W. Maggs, Jr., president and chief executive, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), then provided his report, after which Judith D. Freyer, CFA, senior vice president, treasurer, and chief investment officer, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), gave the investment update. The plenary sessions were concluded with an update from the General Assembly Council by Linda Valentine, executive director of the General Assembly Council, as well as one from the Office of the General Assembly by Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly.

Education Talk

With the arrival of summer, we hope you’re finding time to catch your breath and reflect. Why not take a few minutes to enjoy this season’s issue of the award-winning EducationTalk newsletter on Pensions.org?

This issue reviews the important Benefits Plan updates made as a result of the June Board of Directors meeting. Other featured articles include:

• Caring for our communities in tough times
• Make sure your meaning transcends the gender gap
• How to safeguard your identity
• What to keep in your emergency kit

We hope you enjoy this issue and welcome your suggestions for future ones.

Planning For 2010

I am beginning to plan for 2010.  If you would like a pre-presbytery workshop, retiree luncheon or a presbytery wide workshop event please let me know.  I will be in touch with folks in the next month to begin the process.  But if you want to make sure your event is on the calendar let me know as soon as possible.  2010 is not that far off.

Blessings,
Doug Kelly
Regional Representative

Achieving a healthy balance in your life is an important step in fulfilling your responsibility to Stewardship of Self, a shared commitment to your spiritual, vocational, financial, and health soundness that helps enrich the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) community.

The dues calculator-an accurate, convenient tool

The dues calculator, available on Pensions.org, is an accurate and convenient tool for calculating dues for monthly and annual Traditional Program or Affiliated Benefits Program benefits. It automatically factors in the full-time equivalent for medical benefits and the minimums and maximums for medical, death and disability, and pension benefits.

Using the dues calculator is easy:

• Select the year and the type of participation.
• Enter the number of hours worked per week and the annual effective salary.
• Click on the “Calculate” button.

The information can help treasurers and administrators budget for the current year and the following year (related dues for following year are available in July) and project dues for new employees.

Other tools are available on Pensions.org, as well:

• a supplemental death benefit rate checker
• an optional dental benefit rate checker
• a taxation of death benefit dues calculator
• a simple savings calculator
• a total effective salary calculator

Two additional tools are available through Benefits Connect on Pensions.org:

• a pension estimator
• a total death benefit calculator

Benefits Connect provides online tools that enable you, as a Plan member, to view and update your personal information and learn about your Plan benefits. If you have not yet registered for this secure, easy-to-use site, you can do so by logging onto the Pensions.org homepage and selecting “Register” under the Benefits Connect heading.

IRS provides temporary relief for final 403(b) regulations’ written plan requirement

One of the requirements of the final 403(b) regulations is a written plan document for all 403(b) plans by January 1, 2009. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has provided relief from immediate compliance with this written plan requirement, giving plans until December 31, 2009, to adopt a plan document. However, the plan document must be retroactively effective back to January 1, 2009, when it is adopted.

Churches and employing organizations that have employees who participate in the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) still have time to submit an Adoption Agreement to the Board of Pensions. Plan sponsors and employers must complete this agreement to ensure compliance with the written plan document requirement of the new regulations.

For more information, please refer to the news article on Pensions.org.

Member advocate available to assist with complex issues

Annette Donald, member advocate, provides clarity and understanding among all the parties to an issue: the member, the Board of Pensions, and the provider. Although member services representatives remain the first point of contact, Ms. Donald will help members who encounter complex or unique situations that require special attention from Board staff or our Medical Plan’s third-party vendors. She is empowered to intervene on behalf of the member in a supportive manner when either the member or the third-party provider misunderstands or misinterprets the Benefits Plan.

Members should continue to reference Pensions.org or call 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) with questions about the Plan. Calls will be referred to Ms. Donald as the situation warrants.

News you may have missed

Pensions.org continues to deliver valuable information to Plan members and their families through the “News, Events, and Announcements” section on the homepage. Some of the information recently featured includes:

• Mayo Clinic Health Assessment Reveals That Members Are Taking Action
• Pastors Invited to the National Pastors’ Sabbath
• IRS Provides Temporary Relief for Final 403(b) Regulations’ Written Plan Requirement
• 2008 Investment Review Available
• Report Service and Salary Changes to the Board of Pensions
• 2008 Report of Management
• Winter Issue of EducationTalk Available
• Secure Benefits in Uncertain Times

Continue to visit Pensions.org for the latest news and information on benefits and related topics of interest, such as pension and investment news, 403(b) regulatory changes, health and wellness tips, Assistance Program grants, and Stewardship of Self initiatives.

Just a reminder – As your regional representative, I am available to assist those in your presbytery who are in any way related to the work of the Board of Pensions, by offering:

          1) Retiree Luncheons,

          2) Church Treasurers Workshops,

          3) Clergy Terms of Call seminars,

          4) CPM Consultations, and

          5) Benefits Overview Workshops for Presbytery Leadership Events, and for those congregations that have several staff members enrolled in the Benefits Plan.  

Generally many of these workshops and presentations could be done in one hour or so, and may well save hours in the years to come.  Let me know if you would like me to hold such an event or workshop in your presbytery. 

Doug Kelly

The Rev. Dr. Douglas Kelly
Regional Representative-The Synods of Mid-America, Lincoln Trails and Lakes and Prairies
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
1302 Platte Falls Road, Ste D PMB 211, Platte City, MO 64079
Phone: (800) 511-0132 or (800) 773-7752 ext 7045
Fax: (816) 431-6117
Email:  dkelly@pensions.org

Below is the monthly column from Doug Kelly, the Regional Representative of the Board of Pensions.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 

— 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

2008 Investment Review and Report of Management available

 Two important reports are now available on Pensions.org: 

Tax Resource Center provides key tools

The Tax Resource Center on Pensions.org provides specialized tax resources with an emphasis on tips and advice for ministers, church treasurers, and business administrators, including: 

• a replay of the December 2008 Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference (available as both audio accompanied by the optional online presentation and an audio-only download)
• the Tax Guide for Ministers & Churches for the 2008 Tax Year booklet
• the Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches* booklet
• tax questions and answers for:

•  
  • active ministers
  • retired ministers
  • treasurers and administrators

• links to IRS resources

Review these helpful resources as you begin to prepare your taxes.

*Please note: The Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches booklet will not be mailed to churches and employing organizations this year. If you would like a copy, please download it from Pensions.org or call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).

New Plan benefits offeredEffective January 1, 2009, three new benefits help you engage in the Stewardship of Self initiative, enabling you to better care for the well-being of the spiritual, vocational, financial, and health aspects of your life. This effort not only improves your own life, but also helps you fulfill a responsibility to care for the greater Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) community.

Office copay waived for preventive careAll active Medical Plan members and their covered spouses and dependents qualify for an office copay waiver ($0 copay) for annual covered preventive care services with an in-network primary physician or gynecologist. Eligible in-network preventive tests and screening services will continue to be covered at 100 percent.

Financial services enhancedThe new financial services provided through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) give you access to a team of financial experts. You can arrange for a telephone consultation with an EAP counselor, who will help you clarify your concerns, assist you with problem solving, and help you connect with appropriate resources. If your situation extends beyond the scope of the initial call, you will receive additional phone support and/or referrals to other resources.

New fitness benefit available The Board has added a fitness benefit for active and retired members and their covered spouses and dependent children. GlobalFit helps you make fitness a part of your life by offering three membership options and reduced rates on fitness club memberships. Please see the GlobalFit product sheet for details about this new fitness benefit.

Benefits Connect is now available to retirees and surviving spouses, as well. It provides these members with additional information, including the payment history. Added features include the ability for retirees and surviving spouses to request a change in their direct deposit information online.

Please remember as your regional representative, I am available to assist those in your presbytery who are in any way related to the work of the Board of Pensions, by offering:

• 1.     Retiree Luncheons,
• 2.     Church Treasurers Workshops,
• 3.     Committee on Ministry Workshops,
• 4.     COPM Workshops, and
• 5.     Benefits Overview Workshops for Presbytery Leadership Events, Pre-Presbytery Meetings, and congregations in your area.

These workshops can be tailored to meet the time limits that you may have for any one group.  Please give me a call or drop me a email to set up a time and event in your presbytery.

Doug Kelly is the Board of Pension’s Regional Representative for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies (which includes the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area), Synod of Lincoln Trails and Synod of Mid-America. Below is his contact information:

Phone: 800-773-7752, ext. 7045
Email: dkelly@pensions.org