Benefits Connect Tip: 

Did you know that you can use Benefits Connect to update your address?

On Benefits Connect, active and retired members and surviving spouses can securely update their personal information, view details about their benefits, get a pension estimate, and more.

Plus, church treasurers and business administrators can securely confirm or change their members’ salary information.

Register today!

The Whiff of Sulfur and a Devilish Tale (Risk)

Judith D. Freyer, senior vice president, treasurer, and chief investment officer, provides the 2009 Investment Review for the Board of Pensions Balanced Investment Portfolio.

Tax Guide Provides Helpful Information for Ministers and Churches

The Tax Guide for Ministers & Churches is now available in the Tax Resource Center on Pensions.org. It was also mailed to active and retired ministers at the end of January.

Written by renowned clergy and church tax expert Richard R. Hammar, J.D., LL.M., CPA, this guide provides recent tax information for active and retired ministers to use when filing IRS Form 1040 each year. It includes:

• details regarding the manse or housing allowance (with the annual housing allowance letter for retired or disabled ministers)
• rules surrounding ministers regarding federal and social security taxes
• step-by-step instructions for Form 1040 tax return preparation

There are also two comprehensive examples provided in the back of the guide that demonstrate how to properly complete Form 1040 for both a senior minister and a retired minister.

Visit the Tax Resource Center for additional tax resources, including the Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches booklet.

The information provided in the above-described resources is not intended as a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice that you may require while preparing your tax returns.

Administrative Fee for Retirement Savings Plan to be Charged

Effective July 1, 2010, a fee of $3.75 per quarter will be charged on Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) accounts. The fee will be deducted from each participant’s account at the end of each quarter. You will see the first deduction at the end of September.

The fee will be used to offset administrative expenses Fidelity incurs in its recordkeeping services.

If you have questions about this new quarterly administrative fee, please see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).

New Provider for Health Management Services

Effective January 1, 2010, ActiveHealth Management® replaced – and expanded upon – the health management services formerly provided by CareAllies. These services include: 

• Pre-Certification – You or your doctor must call ActiveHealth at 866-794-3127 to pre-certify tests and procedures that require advance approval. (See the back of your medical identification card for details.)
• Informed Care Management (formerly disease management) – ActiveHealth provides support services to help you take control of chronic conditions.
• Personal Health Record – This confidential online tool will help you collect and organize your health records. Look for this tool in spring 2010.
• Case Management – This program provides assistance in coordinating medical care and treatment for a serious injury or long-term illness.
• 24-Hour Nurse Line – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, registered nurses are available to answer your health questions.

If you have questions about the programs and services available through ActiveHealth Management, please call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).

Free Educational Opportunities Available to Members

The Board offers a multitude of free educational resources to members. From seminars to e-learning, you can learn more about the Board’s plans, programs, and resources, as well as about assessing and planning your finances.

Seminars

The Board offers four financial and retirement seminars, ranging from addressing pre-retirement fiscal fitness to navigating post-retirement issues.

E-learning

The e-learning library includes over a dozen multimedia presentations about the Board’s plans and programs, as well as topics of interest.

Tax Resource Center

This center houses a collection of specialized resources for ministers, church organizations, and members designed to boost awareness and knowledge of specific tax issues.

Online Resources

Additional resources on Pensions.org include guides and worksheets that help you manage your finances.

Newsletter

EducationTalk, an award-winning quarterly newsletter, offers informative articles that discuss your spirituality, vocation, finances, and health.

Stewardship of Self Employer Toolkit for Churches and Employers

Stewardship of Self is a message that has permeated the Board’s communications for the past two years. It is a concept that is central to the mission of the Board – the well-being of Plan members.

We ask that churches and employing organizations help us carry this message to our membership. We have created an Employer Toolkit, which includes: 

• the flagship brochure
• a multimedia presentation
• a quiz
• a poster
• a pledge
• a learning tool
• a link to Benefits Connect
• a link to our benefits calculators 

This toolkit enables churches and employing organizations to encourage members to engage in Stewardship of Self, caring for their spiritual, vocational, financial, and health well-being.