Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)

The General Board is the largest faith-based pension fund in the U.S. and ranks among the top 100 pension plans in the country. The General Board manages a range of investment funds representing varying levels of risk and return—from conservative fixed-income instruments and funds that provide built-in diversification among a variety of major asset classes to stock funds with longer-term objectives. As a socially responsible investor, all of our investments are screened according to investment policies adopted by our board of directors in accordance with the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church. These policies exclude investments in companies earning significant revenues from gambling or from the manufacture, sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages, tobacco-related products, pornography or weapons.

The General Board was one of the original signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to promoting and incorporating environmental, social and governance factors into investment decision-making. Learn more about the PRI and the General Board’s involvement in this initiative.

Advocacy

The General Board is an advocate for environmental stewardship, human and workers' rights, access to health care and sound corporate governance in accordance with Social Principles and The Book of Resolutions. Advocacy is an interpersonal effort that takes place through meetings and other discussions with company executives, letter writing, filing of shareholder resolutions and actively voting the proxy cards of almost 3,000 companies annually.

Positive Social Purpose Lending Program (PSP)

The General Board uses the Positive Social Purpose Lending Program to promote affordable housing, community development and expanded loan opportunities for poor communities around the world, all while earning a market rate of return commensurate with risk.

Personal Investing

Participants choose the investment funds for their own contributions, or they may rely on the LifeStage Investment Management Service, a personalized investment tool that determines investment selections based on age and other criteria. Financial planning services are available through Ernst & Young LLP.