news article

UNY Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits to remove billings from 2014 and years prior

September 25, 2017 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Over the past several years, the UNY Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, Board of Trustees, Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) and the Cabinet have discussed what to do about local churches’ unpaid bills and the negative impact these unpaid bills have to the clergy benefits program of the Conference.

All of the above teams have gleaned helpful information from these discussions and have had to make some very difficult and controversial decisions.  The Board, in its analysis of arrearages, came to the conclusion that continuing to bill for past due amounts – in some situations – was counterproductive.  Through this analysis, they determined a reasonable cut off point and have instructed the finance team to remove prior year billings for 2014 and earlier.

Vicki Swanson, the UNY Director of HR/Benefits said, “Unpaid direct bill amounts for 2015 through today will remain as a balance due.  The Board expects that churches will do everything possible to pay these remaining past due amounts, and to be current in payments going forward.  The Benefits Office will provide updated arrearage information to the District Superintendents on a monthly basis.”

The Rev. Steve Deckard, Chair of the Conference Board of Pensions & Health Benefits from 2010 to 2017 said, “The goal is for every local church to address the full payment (100 percent payment) of both Shared Ministry and Direct Bills on a current basis, and to address the 2015 and 2016 shortages as well."

Rev. Deckard continued, “This is a positive step for all churches.  The goal will be for all churches to have the opportunity to be current from 2015 through the present.  These are all shared expenses. For the present and future health of the Conference, full support of these vital commitments to clergy, staff, and ministries of the Conference is essential… This action is a plus for every church, pastor, and layperson of the Conference.”

Vicki Swanson added, “It is also important to note for all churches that the Board has structured the premiums for pension and health benefits in 2018 with the assumption that 100 percent of billed premiums will be paid by the churches.  This is essential and a covenantal responsibility for all involved.  The churches are the only source of funding for these benefits.  “

Local churches affected by this action can expect letters explaining the adjustment of past-due amounts in early October with their October invoices.