Robert W. Maggs, Jr., President and Chief Executive


The Rev. Dr. Jefferson K. Aiken, Jr., Chair, Board of Directors

Board of Pensions

A pastor of a large church himself (First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta), George Wirth remembers the financial stress his father experienced serving eight different congregations, many of them small.

“When it came time to retire, he just didn’t have the wherewithal [to adequately support himself],” Wirth recalled.

Through the Board of Pensions Assistance Program, the church helped to support his father in retirement, and that has made George aware that, at some point in their lives, many ministers and other church workers need help beyond what the Benefits Plan and personal resources can provide.

“Many pastors need assistance. We want the brightest and the best to be able to go into churches with small or urban congregations and know that they are — and will be — supported. We want them to keep on in their important ministries,” said Wirth.

Through the Assistance Program, our pastors, other church workers and their families can receive critically important assistance, no matter where their ministries take them.

Board of Pensions Highlights

In 2007, three annual Regional Benefits Consultations again provided opportunities for engagement among staff of presbyteries and synods, key elected leaders of the PC(USA) and Board of Pensions staff. Each consultation serves as a forum to test new ideas and foster ongoing conversations about the mission and effectiveness of the Board of Pensions.

Pastors can apply for sabbatical support grants.

The Board of Pensions announced a Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grant program, which allows eligible pastors of small churches to seek a stipend of up to $3,000 toward a sabbatical. Administered in cooperation with presbyteries and synods, the grants are part of the larger Assistance Program, which provides a safety net for church workers and their families and strengthens future parish leadership through strategic financial assistance and support to pastors.

The Board of Pensions expanded its Presbyterian CREDO program, a conference designed to promote personal and professional wellness in mid-career pastors, providing them with opportunities to address spiritual, vocational, health and financial aspects of ministry. In 2007, the Board of Pensions assumed full administrative and faculty responsibilities for the conferences, which previously were provided by The CREDO Institute, Inc. of the Episcopal Church.

A comprehensive plan was developed to implement Stewardship of Self, a new approach to communicating the Benefits Plan and related programs and services available to members through the Board of Pensions, and to educating members about the importance of self care. Stewardship of Self is meant to remind members of their responsibility to take care of themselves financially, physically, vocationally and spiritually. A multi-year effort, the Stewardship of Self initiative will work to the benefit of our members, their families and the Benefits Plan.

A customized Mayo Clinic e-health portal was launched, providing members with a reliable online source of independent health information, tools and resources. The Board of Pensions used the portal to offer all active Plan members and their spouses an online Mayo Clinic health risk assessment. Participants who completed the assessment obtained a report that identified personal health risks and directed them to tools and resources available to help improve their health. In just two months, nearly 6,000 members completed the assessment.

The disease management program assists plan members with chronic medical conditions.

The Board of Pensions expanded the scope of its Disease Management program, which provides care management for chronic medical conditions. In addition to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the program now provides personalized care management for 14 other chronic conditions, including osteoarthritis, lower back pain and depression, among others. The expanded program has allowed the Board of Pensions to help more than 5,000 Plan members who are experiencing chronic medical conditions.

A new Board of Pensions Web site is under way. With a fresh look and feel, new functionality and Stewardship of Self messaging, the new site provides members with secure access to individual benefits information and expanded financial tools. The site offers enhanced integration with third-party vendors, supports funds development efforts and interactions with church treasurers, presbyteries and synods, and builds synergies with pastors and other constituencies across the church.