LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 116

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116

SYNOD REPORTS
Significant Publications and Communications

Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan Updates

A new benefit administrator and case manager, Liberty Mutual,
was selected to handle the disability aspects of the Plan beginning January 1, 2008. Among the value-added services provided to
members was the weekly issuance of disability checks for those on
short-term disabilities. Prior to the switch to Liberty Mutual, all disability checks were distributed monthly.
Also beginning January 1, 2008, disabled members who are members of CHP became eligible for a new monthly benefit if they are
enrolled in Medicare Part B and provide proof of enrollment. The
benefit was added to help the disabled members pay their Medicare
Part B premium.
In addition, Minnesota Life was introduced as the new administrator for survivor benefits under the Plan July 1, 2007. Along with
providing many value-added services such as access to complimentary beneficiary financial counseling, will preparation, and other
services, the opportunity to offer voluntary supplemental life insurance to all workers enrolled in the Plan was made available January 1,
2009. Thanks to the CPS’s relationship with Minnesota Life, workers
are able to purchase additional term life insurance at a substantially
reduced cost, including supplemental life insurance for the worker’s
spouse and children.
As of December 31, 2009, there were 31,900 members enrolled
in the CDSP.
Benefits Provided by the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan
(CDSP)
2007

2008

2009

Survivor Benefits

$5,480,143

$6,910,298

$6,869,921

Disability Benefits
Health Benefits for
Survivors and Disabled
Workers

$25,906,731

$8,353,215

$7,936,209

$3,483,013

$5,028,838

$4,931,407

Serving the Synod through Financial Assistance Programs

CPS continues to administer the Synod’s Support Program, which
provides financial aid to eligible disabled and retired ministers as
well as dependents of deceased ministers. Services include determining the financial need of the applicants, approving amounts to be
provided, and disbursing monies through the CPS benefit payment
system. Funds are primarily provided through the fund-raising efforts
of the LCMS Board for Human Care Ministries and are a part of the
Synod’s budget. Currently 50 individuals are receiving assistance.
Financial Assistance Programs—Annual Financial Aid
2006/2007

2007/2008

2008/2009

$423,293

$398,546

$327,665

Congregational and Worker Help following Crisis Situations

Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike in 2008, several
congregations were provided assistance through the waiver of their
contribution payments to the Concordia Plans for a limited period.
CPS also has a policy whereby payment or filing deadlines can be
extended in the event of a disaster affecting LCMS employers or
plan members.

Concordia Plan Services Honored for Excellence in Marketing and
Communication

CPS was recognized in 2009 for its excellence in marketing and
communication, earning six MarCom awards—two Platinum and four
Gold. MarCom Awards, an international competition for marketing
and communication professionals, is administered and judged by the
Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, which
consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising,
public relations, media production, and freelance professionals. The
awards honor outstanding achievement and service to the communication profession.
Many of the CPS marketing and communication pieces earning
either Platinum or Gold recognition appear throughout the various
communications outlined in the topics below. Categories in which
CPS competed were educational publications and handbooks, newsletter writing, creative marketing and promotion, and promotional
campaigns.
New IRS 403(b) Regulations for Employers

Revised 403(b) regulations regarding compliance and administration of 403(b) tax-deferred savings plans like the CRSP have had
a significant impact on employers and their responsibilities. CPS
published several resources to assist employers and workers in understanding the revised regulations and has encouraged employers to take
the appropriate steps to be in compliance with the January 1, 2009
regulations. Such items included an eight-page newsletter, employer
invoice enclosures, a Reporter article, Webinars, and a dedicated Web
page consolidating all information provided on the topic.
Health and Wellness Communications

Several communications have been produced to educate and
inform workers about the wellness programs and the importance of
leading healthy lifestyles:
• Better Health and bulletin articles;
• Concordia Plans Update newsletter with information about the
Health Assessment;
• special newsletter encouraging members to “Know Your
Numbers” (with accompanying recording materials);
• letters and brochures to employers and CHP members to
increase awareness and encourage use of the CareAllies
Lifestyle Management Programs and the Health Advisors
Program, as well as the Employee Assistance Program;
• posters to employers promoting CareAllies Lifestyle
Management Programs, the Health Advisors Program, and
the Employee Assistance Program for their workers; and
• a communication campaign to announce the Health Assessment
and reward card.
Health and Wellness Culture Survey

In 2009, Health and Wellness Culture surveys for both employers/leaders and workers were conducted to gain insight into the health
behaviors of church workers and into the environments/cultures in
which they work and live. The survey results are giving direction to
future wellness initiatives and possible incentives to help improve
the health habits of workers.

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