When both husband and wife work for an employing organization or organizations that enroll them in the Traditional Program under the Benefits Plan, you are referred to as a “member couple.” You may be employed by the same or different employing organizations. Both spouses must be participating in the Traditional Program (including the Medical Plan) or on the transitional participation or disabled status under the Benefits Plan.

You do not qualify if you and/or your spouse participate in the Affiliated Benefits Program or the Medical Continuation Program. A member couple can include any combination of ordained minister or lay member. 14-09 couples are not eligible for the Member Couple medical benefit.

14-09 Couples

If both members are clergy serving the same church, each in a part-time called pastoral relationship, and sharing the same position, they are referred to as a 14-09 couple. Only one of the clergy couple members is enrolled in the Medical Plan; the other member is covered as a spouse under the family coverage provisions. (Both part-time ministers are enrolled for pension, death, and disability.) A 14-09 couple cannot include an Affiliated Benefits Program member.

Annual Documentation of Eligibility

The church’s clerk of session must complete a 14-09 Couple Verification form annually to verify in writing that each member of the 14-09 couple is:

• an ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament
• called to a pastoral relationship at the same church as the spouse and sharing the same position
• employed for fewer than 35 hours per week

Termination of Eligibility

Eligibility for the 14-09 couple status is terminated if one or both of the 14-09 members:

• changes to a full-time position as defined by the Board (more than 35 hours)
• is terminated by the church
• becomes employed at another church or employing organization
• has coverage changed to Medical Continuation or the Affiliated Benefits Program

Please see Administrative Rule 123 for additional details and information.