Benefits

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Health and wellness benefits for clergy and lay employees

The Minnesota Annual Conference provides health insurance through Wespath’s HealthFlex Exchange plan (learn more / log in). Clergy appointed in the Minnesota Conference half-time or more are required to complete the enrollment or waiver within 30 days of appointment effective date. Below you will find information and premiums for the various benefits available for eligible clergy and lay employees within the conference. A local church must first adopt the HealthFlex coverage for their lay employees who work at least 30 hours per week, year round.

 

2023 HealthFlex premiums and information

2023 Alex Decision Tool

2023 Clergy HealthFlex Premiums

2023 Local Church Lay Employee HealthFlex Premiums

2023 HealthFlex Plan Comparisons

2023 How Do I Choose My HealthFlex Plans

Finding a Dentist in the DHMO

Guide to Accessing Your HealthFlex Benefits

HealthFlex Services for Your Emotional Well-Being

Maximize Your Tax Savings—When to Contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Along with Your Health Savings Account (HSA)

Participants Nearing Medicare Eligibility—Age 65 or Medicare-Disabled

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Clergy pension and welfare

The conference participates in the pension and welfare plans through Wespath Benefits and Investments. 

• The Clergy Retirement Security Plan (CRSP) is a retirement plan paid for by the local church on behalf of the appointed clergy.
• The Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) is a death and disability plan, also paid for by the local church to cover the appointed clergy.
• The United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) is an optional 403(b) plan for clergy contributions, either as before or after tax payroll deduction, for retirement. Participation rules apply. Download more info and a UMPIP contribution election form.
• Optional life insurance, UNUM Life Options, through an arrangement by Wespath Benefits and Investments with UNUM, is optional life insurance coverage elected and paid by the participant directly to UNUM. Enrollment information is mailed directly to participant when first eligible and each year following.

Clergy counseling, spiritual direction, or coaching

Clergy, spouses, and children in the home may request grants for counseling and psychotherapy. Requests can be submitted for 50 percent of out-of-pocket cost after insurance coverage per session up to a maximum amount of $65 per session and maximum financial counseling grant from the conference of $1,000 per year per person. Requests for grants are submitted to the conference benefits manager.  Download Counseling Financial Assistance Claim Form

Lay employee pension

The local church can participate in Wespath’s United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) for lay employees. The local church completes the Wespath Adoption Agreement for UMPIP, choosing the eligibility options for the pension plan. Eligible lay employees may participate with personal contributions from wages on a before-tax, Roth or after-tax basis. The lay employee pension plan is an agreement between the local church and Wespath; the conference benefits officer is only a resource person in this process.The 2016 Book of Discipline, paragraph 258.2g(12), encourages local churches to provide 3 percent of compensation pension benefits for lay employees.  Learn more about UMPIP