Benefits and Pension Billing
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Questions and Answers
Q: What are Benefits Billings? Where is my 2025 pension apportionment number?
A: Benefits Billings are a shared ministry that funds clergy benefits and conference-wide administrative costs, including your pension apportionment. They cover clergy retirement plan contributions, welfare plan premiums, and all expenses for the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits and the Benefits Office.
Q: Is the CRSP/CPP direct bill included in the Benefits Billing?
A: Yes. The Benefits Billing directly funds benefits-related conference liabilities in four main areas:
- Clergy Retirement: Conference contributions to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP DC) and UMPIP.
- Welfare Plans: Premiums for the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) and UMLifeOptions.
- Administrative Expenses: Annual costs for the Conference Benefits Office and Board.
- Pension Liability: A partial conference payment toward the annual CRSP Defined Benefit (CRSP DB) liability.
Q: How are Benefits Billings calculated?
A: Benefits Billings are based on appointment status and clergy compensation as detailed in the Clergy Compensation Recommendation Report.
- For multiple-point charges, each church receives a separate monthly statement based on its share of the clergyperson’s compensation.
- The percentage used in the calculation is based on the clergyperson’s appointment status (e.g., full-time, less than full-time).
- Less Than Full Time, Retiree, and District Superintendent Assignments (DSA) are calculated at a reduced percentage rate.
Q: Why are Retiree appointments and DSA’s included?
A: The portion of the bill directly related to individual plans is removed for these appointments. However, they are still included because they share in funding the conference’s broader annual liabilities. In the Michigan Conference, these expenses are funded through Benefits Billing rather than being incorporated into the common budget.
Q: Why are we being billed by the Michigan Conference for our pastor’s pension?
A: To prepare for the new Compass plan, the Michigan Conference will now bill your church directly for your pastor’s United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), beginning July 1, 2025.
This means your pastor’s UMPIP will now appear on your monthly Benefits Billing invoice. You will make this payment directly to the conference, which will then submit the funds to Wespath.
The only change is where the payment is sent; the payroll deductions for your pastor remain the same.
If you have questions or believe there is a discrepancy in the amount billed, please do not ignore it. Rather, contact the Benefits Office at [email protected] or 810-233-0504.