Cindy Beach, Director, Member Education
Steven Fleming, Education Specialist
Nadine Monn, Coordinator, Education Programs
Rodney Sewell, Education Specialist
 
 
What Wondrous Love Is This
American folk hymn, c. 1811
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am,
While the millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While the millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on!
 
Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants
Beginning January 1, 2008, the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions initiated its three-year pilot Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grant Program. The grants are designed to help eligible ministers of the Word and Sacrament serving small congregations to take sabbaticals that will strengthen their skills and renew their ministries.
Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants are apportioned by middle governing bodies based on the number of small congregations within their bounds. Ministers meeting the program’s eligibility requirements may apply to their synod for a grant. Applicants are advised to contact the designated synod representative on the Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grant product sheet before completing an application and sabbatical plan to determine if grants remain available.
 
 
Schedule 2011 Education Seminars
The Board’s Member Education team is now accepting scheduling requests for its 2011 seminar calendar. We develop the calendar based solely on requests from interested presbyteries, seminaries, and other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) organizations.
There is no cost to schedule seminars and the Member Education team coordinates almost all facets of the seminar registration and preparation process.
With a seminar for every stage of service, our four education offerings include:
  • Getting in Shape Fiscally: Financial planning for seminarians, early- to mid-career members, spouses, and fiancés/fiancées
  • Growing into Tomorrow … Today: Holistic retirement planning for mid- to late-career members, spouses, and fiancés/fiancées
  • Post-Retirement: Holistic retirement planning for retirees, their spouses, and surviving spouses
  • Render Unto Caesar: Clergy tax and terms of call information for clergy and spouses; treasurers, administrators, and session leaders; and middle governing body staff and committee leaders
To schedule a seminar, contact Cindy Beach by email or call 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN),
extension 7225.
 
Work Still Important to Older Americans
As people live longer, more of them are also working longer.
A study from the Pew Research Center found that 38 percent of participants age 62 or older say they may delay their retirement because of the current recession. However, 54 percent of workers age 65 and older say they are still working because they want to.
 
New Credit Card Regulations Basics
On February 22, 2010, new credit card reform laws intended to protect consumers went into effect. The highlights include:
  • It may be harder for those with bad credit to get credit.
  • Credit card companies must provide 45 days’ notice of significant changes to the terms of your card.
  • Statements must mail at least 21 days before they are due.
  • A card’s bill will be due on the same calendar day each month.
  • The opening interest rate on any new card must stay the same for at least the first 12 months.
  • One account’s interest rate can’t be raised based on another one’s standing.
  • Over-the-limit fees are prohibited without consumer consent to pay for the privilege.
  • Consumers may “opt-out” if they don’t like the terms credit card companies send to them.
  • Restoring a good payment history will lower an account’s raised annual percentage rate.
  • Payments go towards higher interest rate balances first.
  • There is increased protection for gift card holders.
  • For those under 21, opening new accounts will require a co-signer or proof of income.
 
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).
 
Tax Resource Center on Pensions.org
Looking for helpful resources as you prepare your tax return? Check the Tax Resource Center on Pensions.org.
  • 2009 Tax Guide for Ministers and Churches
  • 2009 Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches
  • 2009 Tax Tips Webinar for Ministers and Churches Replay
  • Applicable IRS resources
  • Tax Q & As for active and retired ministers, and treasurers and administrators
The information provided in the above-described resources is not intended as a substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice you may require while preparing your tax returns.
 
Are You Using Benefits Connect?
Need to update your contact or dependent information with the Board? Prefer to submit salary changes electronically for your church workers? Want to review your pension payment history? Register for or log in to Benefits Connect!
Benefits Connect is the secure portal on Pensions.org for active and retired members, including surviving spouses, and authorized Web representatives for employing organizations with a U.S. mailing address. Depending on your account type, you can:
  • update your contact information
  • add or delete a dependent, or edit his or her information
  • review your service information
  • get a pension estimate
  • view your medical, death, and disability benefits
  • confirm your Retirement Savings Plan participation
  • check your disability or retirement pension payment history
  • access useful partner resources
  • submit online salary changes (authorized Web representatives only)
Take advantage of this convenient site today by clicking on the “Register” or “Log in” button under the Benefits Connect logo on the Pensions.org homepage.
 
ActiveHealth Management Bringing New Features This Spring
Coming this spring, ActiveHealth Management is taking our health management services to a new level with the unveiling of a private and secure online Personal Health Record (PHR) for you and your family members. In addition to providing a unique PHR, this Web site will be your gateway to many other great health programs and services that help you better manage your health.
Active members can receive a $100 Health Stewardship Incentive for participating in the program. Look for more information about the Web site and the incentive coming soon to Pensions.org.
Your health information is kept strictly confidential. The ActiveHealth Management programs and tools are secure and confidential, in full compliance with federal and state laws. ActiveHealth Management understands and respects the privacy of all personal health information.