# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S77 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 76 SYNODICAL REPORTS Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers Prior to the inception of the three Concordia Plans, the Pension Plan tor Pastors and Teachers (PPPT) was the only pension pro- gram for pastors and teachers of the Synod. This program provides retirement and disability benefits for its members as well as bene- fits for surviving dependents of a deceased member. When the Concordia Plans were established in 1965, new en- rollments in the PPPT ceased. However, 970 members who are still actively working maintain an account balance and will ultimately receive benefits from this plan. There are 4,659 individuals currently receiving benefits as re- tired members. disabled members, or surviving dependents of de- ceased members. 2000 (unaudited) 1999 1998 $20,385,000 $13,225,000 $12,850,000 Benefits Paid Supplemental Benefits Program This program provides additional benefits to eligible retired members and dependents of deceased members if their total monthly benefit is below the established “minimum benefit.” At present the minimum benefit is $250 per month for a retired mem- ber and $150 per month for a surviving dependent. Also, a lump- sum death benefit is provided. Such additional benefits are pro- vided out of the budget of the Synod. 1997/1998 $564,000 1999/2000 $462,000 1998/1999 $501,000 Benefits Paid Support Benefits Program Special Assistance Program The purpose of this program is to provide financial aid to eligi- ble disabled workers, retired workers, and dependents of deceased workers. Funds are provided out of the Synod’s budget. The amount of assistance is based on demonstrated need and is deter- mined in accordance with established guidelines. Financial assis- tance is currently being provided for 36 individuals under the Sup- port Program. 2000 (unaudited) 1999 1998 $312,000 $294,000 $280,000 Annual Payments Included in the above figures are benefits paid for a Special As- sistance Program, which provides an assured monthly income for 50 older and needy retired pastors and teachers and widows of such retired workers. Accident Insurance Programs The Travel Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Program is provided for members of boards, commissions, com- mittees, and designated members of staff of the Synod. About 2.623 individuals have this $100,000 coverage. The Travel Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Program for Foreign Missionaries is a program for foreign mis- sionaries and their dependents and covers 241 people. The cover- age for the missionary is $50,000, $20,000 for spouse, and $10,000 for each child. The All-Cause Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insur- ance Program is available to all workers participating in the Con- cordia Plans. There are 8.920 workers participating, with insurance amounts ranging from $25,000 to $300,000. Challenges/Summary In addition to what has already taken place, the board and staff of the Worker Benefit Plans envisions other important challenges in the near future. They are 2001 Convention Workbook ¢ Transition all remaining Prudential managed-care members to other networks due to Aetna’s purchase of Prudential. ¢ Streamline the computer system to better serve members and con- tinue to ensure their privacy and confidentiality. * Redesign the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan to provide more flexibility in benefits for those needing to utilize the plan. ¢ Switch to a managed dental care program for workers in the Con- cordia Health Plan to help reduce the cost of dental care to the LCMS. * Move all remaining out-of-network members of the Concordia Health Plan into a managed care network to help reduce the cost of health care to the LCMS. ¢ Evaluate the potential of adding “choice” to the health benefits. ¢ Evaluate the potential of adopting a “One Plan—Al] Plans” policy (if in one Concordia Plan, then must participate in all three Con- cordia Plans). Many changes have occurred in the Worker Benefit Plans within the last three years, not to mention the last 35! Through all the changes, the Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans and the entire Worker Benefit Plans staff remain committed and dedi- cated to providing the best possible service and programs for church workers. As we reflect upon the past 35 years and prepare for the future, the Worker Benefit Plans continues to look for ways to faithfully carry out its ministry to assist others telling the Good News about Jesus. May God bless our efforts to remain faithful to our mission to support LCMS ministries by providing dynamic health, disability, retirement, and death benefits for church workers and their families. Guy E. Miller, Chairman Dan A. Leeman, Executive Director R7-01 First Vice-President As the triennium draws to a close, once again I give thanks to the Lord of the church for the privilege of serving Him and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod by calling me to serve Him in the office of First Vice-President. Thanks also to you, the members of the congregations of the LCMS, for the opportunity to provide service to you. In my report to the 1998 convention I listed the various respon- sibilities the Bylaws and policies of the Synod place on the First Vice-President. Since they really have not changed, I will not re- peat them here. By God’s grace I have tried to fulfil those respon- sibilities to the best of my ability. In addition, I again served at the appointment of the President as a member of the Board of Regents at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, as well as a member of the Church Growth Study Committee. The committee has completed its work and submitted its report (sent out to the church by the President’s office in the January 2001 issue of the Reporter and included in this workbook). One area of my work that I feel deserves special comment is being a part of the Colloquy Committee for Pastoral Ministry (the First Vice-President is also chairman of the Teacher Colloquy Committee, but each of the universities is completely responsible for its colloquy students). Working with pastors of other Christian denominations and lay ministers with at least 10 years of Word and Sacrament ministry experience whose congregations desire them to be ordained has been very interesting, very rewarding, and a real blessing (statistics shown in the BHE report). This includes the eth- nic pastors (e.g., Korean) who choose to come into our minis- terium. I do not cease to be amazed at and impressed by these com-