Publications & Materials
The following publications and materials are available either to download as a PDF, or as a print version ordered through our Request Materials form. To view the PDF, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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A Century of Caring—Continuing to Serve
Our 100-year celebration has reinforced the special connection we have across the Church with our participants and with all who support our mission of caring for those who serve. With this special publication, we hope you have witnessed the steps in our evolution that created the agency we are today and gained an appreciation for the agency we strive to become, as we continue to identify and meet the needs of the Church.
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2008 Annual Report
The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits' 2008 Annual Report is now available.
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Past Reports: 2007 2006 2005
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General Conference 2008: Legislative Changes Impacting General Board of Pension and Health Benefits Plans and Programs
This brochure summarizes some of the petitions impacting GBOPHB participants submitted by GBOPHB—as well as petitions affecting plans and programs administered by GBOPHB that were submitted by others. All of the petitions submitted by GBOPHB were approved by General Conference 2008.
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Invest in Your Career...
If you are interested in working for an organization that values employees and provides opportunities to find meaning in what you do, then the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits is the right place for you! This brochure outlines the culturally diverse workforce, socially responsible investments and collaborative environment that make the General Board a unique employer.
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Hark—A Resource for Retirement Planning
Participants normally receive Hark as an insert in their quarterly statements. The purpose of Hark is to provide insight on matters that may affect participants in our retirement plans.
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You & Your Health Newsletter
We send this newsletter to participants on a quarterly basis*. The purpose of You & Your Health is to provide participants with interesting and useful information relating to the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a healthy lifestyle, as well as tips for managing their health plan.
* This newsletter has been discontinued as of April 2009.
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Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) Campaign Update Newsletter: August 2009
This newsletter is sent to update CCPI donors about the campaign’s progress. CCPI intends to provide retirement financial security for the Church’s faithful servants in the central conferences (conferences outside of the United States). The publication includes Donor Spotlights and articles describing how CCPI funds have changed the lives of retired clergy, their spouses and families.
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Past Newsletters: April 2009 | November 2008
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General Board Investing Opportunities
Investing can be complicated and confusing, even intimidating. But you don’t have to manage your investments alone. The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) can help you stay on the road to financial security with valuable resources to guide you, including the LifeStage Investment Management Service and Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services.
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Socially Responsible Investing for a Sustainable Future
As a fiduciary, the General Board’s stewardship responsibility is to its participants—to assure a financially secure retirement. Socially responsible investing is a part of that charge and brings added dimension to the already strong financial performance that characterizes General Board investing.
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Investment Funds Description
This document provides a detailed description of General Board investment funds including investment strategies, risks, performance, fees and expenses.
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Saving for Your Future
Temptations are everywhere—especially the temptation to spend. Saving money doesn’t offer an instant reward and can be a challenge, especially if you need most of your income for necessities, such as groceries, transportation and housing. Further, your money must remain invested to allow your earnings to grow, which means resisting the urge to buy those little luxuries. Fortunately, you are eligible to participate in the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), which allows you to contribute money on a before-tax basis—so it doesn’t cost that much to save for your future.
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Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services 2009
This year, eligible participants in General Board-administered retirement plans can receive financial planning assistance at no additional cost from Ernst & Young, a global financial services firm. With highly qualified financial consultants, Ernst & Young is available to assist the General Board's participants with financial planning and investment needs.
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Are You on Track to Retire? (Clergy)
With careful planning, you can make your retirement something to look forward to. Whether you are thinking of retiring soon or later on, you can use this booklet to help you plan for this meaningful chapter in your life.
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Are You on Track to Retire? (Lay Employees)
With careful planning, you can make your retirement something to look forward to. Whether you are thinking of retiring soon or later on, you can use this booklet to help you plan for this meaningful chapter in your life.
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What You Need to Know About the Retirement Process
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! To prepare for this next chapter in your life, you will need to make many important decisions to ensure your financial security and personal satisfaction during retirement. The General Board has prepared this booklet to help you understand the options that are available to you and to assist you in completing the necessary forms.
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How to Read Your Account Statement
Your General Board Account Statement is an important tool for monitoring your retirement account. It's sent to you quarterly and provides a summary of your retirement accounts and investments. This handy guide provides a brief explanation of each section of your account statement and answers some of the questions that come up from time to time.
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United Methodist Personal Investment Plan—Overview
Good financial health—like good physical, emotional and spiritual health—can last a lifetime. The United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) is a retirement savings program designed to help your employees achieve and maintain financial health after they complete their service to the Church. To make this special savings opportunity available to your lay employees, all you have to do is sponsor the plan.
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United Methodist Personal Investment Plan—Summary Plan Description
This booklet is a Summary Plan Description (SPD), which provides information regarding the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP).
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United Methodist Personal Investment Plan—Plan Sponsor Contributions for Clergy
UMPIP has been amended effective January 1, 2009 to allow individual churches to make Plan Sponsor contributions on behalf of clergy. The General Board has prepared this brochure to help your church decide if such contributions are appropriate—and if so, to help you choose a contribution formula.
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Clergy Retirement Security Program—Overview
The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) is a retirement program providing lifetime income and account flexibility designed for those who serve God as clergy of The United Methodist Church.
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Clergy Retirement Security Program—For Bishops
This brochure is an overview of the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) plan for bishops, beginning on September 1, 2008.
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Clergy Retirement Security Program—Summary Plan Description
This booklet is a Summary Plan Description (SPD), which provides information regarding the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP).
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Retirement Security Program for General Agencies
The Retirement Security Program for General Agencies (RSP) is a retirement program providing lifetime income and account flexibility designed for those who serve The United Methodist Church as general agency employees.
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Required Minimum Distributions
This brochure summarizes RMD rules, how to evaluate your options and what you need to do to start receiving payments. Because the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) cannot provide tax advice, we suggest that you consult with a financial planner, estate planner, tax adviser and/or attorney.
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Retirement Plan for General Agencies
The United Methodist Church will introduce the Retirement Plan for General Agencies (RPGA) on January 1, 2010. RPGA is a retirement plan administered by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board). You are eligible to participate if you are a lay or clergy employee of a United Methodist Church general agency that sponsors the plan. Read the brochure to learn more about RPGA.
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Retirement Plan for General Agencies—At-a-Glance
This flyer provides a brief overview of the Retirement Plan for General Agencies (RPGA), a defined contribution retirement plan that will be introduced on January 1, 2010.
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Programa de Seguridad de Jubilación para el Clero
This is a Spanish-language version of our CRSP brochure. CRSP is a retirement program providing lifetime income and account flexibility designed for those who serve God as clergy of The United Methodist Church.
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UMLifeOptions—Summary Plan Description
This booklet is a Summary Plan Description (SPD), which provides information regarding UMLifeOptions.
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Helping Health Last a Lifetime—Health and Welfare Benefits
An abundant life requires a healthy spirit, mind and body, and the financial support necessary to sustain it. The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) plays a partnership role in helping the health of our clergy and lay workers last a lifetime. This brochure gives an overview of the General Board's health and welfare plans.
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Denominational Health Task Force Summary Report
General Conference 2004 directed the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) to examine the feasibility of a unified health plan for the denomination. To conduct the study, the General Board assembled the Denominational Health Task Force (Task Force). This Summary Report brings the denomination’s health challenge to you in practical terms in preparation for General Conference 2008. Health will become a central focus for us in the coming years, as it will for the U.S. and the world-at-large. In order for the Church to strengthen its ministry, health is an issue we must address now because it will impact us all.
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Also available in Spanish | French | Korean | Portuguese
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