At the September meeting of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB), it was decided that a rate increase for our active health insurance plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield would take effect in 2025. The new rates will officially take place beginning January 1, 2025.

It is the first rate increase since the merger and, for those from the former Detroit Conference, an even longer period. This rate increase is approximately 10% and affects the amount the local church pays, the amount a clergy person has deducted, and the amount that a church pays if their clergy person is eligible for a waiver.

Unfortunately, our active health care reserve has been steadily decreasing at a rate at which we could deplete it in as little as 20 months. Simply put, healthcare costs have increased, just like almost all other costs.

It pains the CBOPHB to make this decision at a time when we know that finances are already tight for many congregations, but we did not see another alternative.

The rates for 2025 can be found here.

As always, if you have questions, please reach out to our office by phone or e-mail.

Last Updated on October 1, 2024