Blessings in Christ from the Board of Pensions.
Cindy Beach, Director, Member Education
Steven Fleming, Education Specialist
Nadine Monn, Coordinator, Education Programs
Rodney Sewell, Education Specialist
Inspire Others To Embrace Stewardship of Self
The principles of Stewardship of Self have permeated the Board's communications for more than two years. The key message is to take care of you in the four components of life: spiritual, vocational, financial, and health.
Many of you have shared your stories and personal wellness statements with us. We are continuing to build our library of your messages of inspiration, so if you have a story or statement that you think will help others resolve to make positive changes in their lives, please complete the form on Pensions.org. Just be sure to put "Share Your Story" or "Personal Wellness Statement" in the subject line. We will then contact you before posting your submission to Pensions.org. (Names are not published to the site, just your words of inspiration.)
Applying for 2011 Middle Governing Body Grants
The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions is accepting Middle Governing Body Grant applications for the year 2011. Ten matching grants in amounts up to $15,000 are available to synods or groups of presbyteries that want to develop new programs to improve the practical skills of their pastors. The application deadline is August 15, 2010.
A Middle Governing Body Grant is a one-time grant to fund practical skills training for pastors who are members of the Benefits Plan and currently serving a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. Awards may be granted for training programs in congregational and staff leadership, budgeting and financial management, strategic planning, or conflict resolution.
Through the Middle Governing Body Grant Program, the Assistance Program provides a one-time grant that must be matched by the middle governing body's financial contribution. It cannot replace their support for existing programs, and expenses must be directly related to practical skills education. (Other seminar, conference, or degree program fees are not eligible.)
2010 eRBC Presentations on Pensions.org
Are you a middle governing body leader who was unable to attend one of the 2010 Regional Benefits Consultations? Watch your email inbox for a forthcoming email linking to the eRBC presentations.
By leveraging electronic media capabilities, these on-demand Web modules combine an audio recording of the speakers with their presentation slides. To view them, you only need access to an Internet-connected computer with Adobe Flash® Player* installed on it.
*Adobe Flash® Player is installed on 98% of all Internet-connected devices. If your computer doesn't already have it installed, you can download the Adobe Flash Player for free.
2011 Seminar Calendar Openings
The Board's Member Education team continues to accept seminar scheduling requests for its 2011 calendar, which is developed solely from requests by interested presbyteries, seminaries, and other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) organizations. There is no cost to schedule seminars and the Member Education team coordinates almost all facets of the seminar registration and preparation process.
Visit the Seminars page of Pensions.org to learn more about the four different member education seminars available, and contact Cindy Beach by email or call 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN), extension 7225, to schedule offerings in your region.
Your Statement of Benefits Mails Mid-July
Your 2010 Statement of Benefits will mail to active Benefits Plan members in
mid-July.
This personalized statement will provide an overview of the benefits coverage you receive and confirm your current effective salary on record with the Board of Pensions. Please take the time to open and carefully review your copy for accuracy when it arrives.
Church Treasurers and Business Administrators: Keep Your Retirement Savings Plan Adoption Agreement Updated
It is important for you to update your Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Adoption Agreement whenever you make any changes that affect the plan. This includes changes to your employer contribution amounts or eligibility requirements.
If you have questions about the Adoption Agreement, please contact the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
Use Benefits Connect To Update Your Information
Benefits Connect is the secure portal on Pensions.org for active and retired members, surviving spouses, and authorized Web representatives for employing organizations with a U.S. mailing address. Depending on your account type and details, you can:
- update your contact information
- add or delete a dependent, or edit his or her information
- review your service information
- get a pension estimate
- view your medical, death, and disability benefits
- confirm your Retirement Savings Plan participation
- check your disability or retirement pension payment history
- access useful partner resources
- submit online salary changes (authorized Web representatives only)
So why wait? Register for or log in to your Benefits Connect account today!
Financial Planning Resources for Plan Members
The Board of Pensions offers two key programs to assist our members in their financial planning needs.
- Four different member education seminars, designed for every stage of your church service career, from seminary to post-retirement
- Free, telephonic access to Enhanced Financial Services through the Employee Assistance Program for active plan members
Early Extension of Healthcare Coverage for Qualified Adult Children
One of the significant provisions of the recently enacted healthcare reform legislation requires that group health plans extend coverage to adult children up to the age of 26, regardless of their financial dependency, student status, marital status, or residency. The required effective date of this provision for the Medical Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is January 1, 2011.
However, the Board of Pensions (the "Board") approved an early accommodation for those children who would lose coverage by "aging out" of the Medical Plan or by graduating between June 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010. This early accommodation is designed to avoid a gap in coverage. At the end of May 2010, the Board sent a letter to the parents of children we have on record as qualifying for this early accommodation. If you did not receive this letter and believe you have a child who qualifies for this early accommodation according to the guidelines specified below, please call us at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN.)
To be eligible, your adult child:
- must be under the age of 26
- must have been covered by the Medical Plan on June 1, 2010, and
- would otherwise no longer be eligible for coverage by virtue of financial dependency, marital status, student status, or residency between June 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010.
This extension of coverage is being provided with no change in dues or subscription rates, and includes those children under the age of 26 who are currently participating in the Traditional Program, Affiliated Benefits Program (with member and children or member and family coverage), or Medical Continuation Program.
Note: The Board will send communications in the fall to the parents of those adult children who are not currently covered by the Medical Plan but will become eligible for the extended coverage as of January 1, 2011.
Health Management Tools for Active Members
MyActiveHealth.com/pcusa, the health management site from ActiveHealth Management, is available to active members of the Medical Plan.* It offers convenient, confidential tools - such as a Personal Health Record (PHR) and Health Assessment - to help you better manage your healthcare.
The PHR makes it easy to keep track of your immunizations, medications, doctor visits, and more. Your health history is clear, consistent, organized, and secure. Every enrolled member of your family can have his or her own PHR. Parents or guardians can maintain a PHR for dependent children age 17 and younger, who do not have direct access to their own records.
You control who has access to the information. You can share your PHR with your spouse or doctor, but it's at your discretion - no one can gain access without your authorization.
ActiveHealth and the Board of Pensions comply with all federal and state privacy laws to keep your personal health information confidential. The Board of Pensions and your employing organization cannot access it.
*Not available to members enrolled in Anthem, CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits, or Triple-S, or to retired members covered by the Medicare Supplement Plan.
2010 Skin Cancer Facts
Every year, The Skin Cancer Foundation releases a list of skin cancer facts. The 2010 Skin Cancer Facts list posted to www.skincancer.org features:
- important statistics about the occurrence of the different types of skin cancer
- brief points about melanoma, which continues to increase in diagnosis faster than almost any other cancer
- the incidence of skin cancer in men, women, children, and each ethnic group
The Skin Cancer Foundation's Web site also provides helpful prevention information and tips.