news article
What churches and employees need to know about New York’s Secure Choice savings program
February 12, 2026 / By Julie Valeski, Conference Benefits Officer / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
What is Secure Choice?
Secure Choice is a New York state-sponsored retirement savings program structured as an automatic-enrollment Roth IRA. Employees are automatically enrolled but may opt out at any time. Contributions are funded through payroll deduction, and unlike a 401(k), employers do not contribute, manage investments, or assume fiduciary responsibility. Their role is limited to facilitating access.
Upper New York United Methodist churches and the conference office are exempt from the New York Secure Choice Program because we offer a qualified retirement plan through Wespath for some, but not all, employees of our churches and conference office.
What are the next steps for churches:
If a church has less than 10 employees, the church is automatically exempt because they do not meet the minimum number of employees to be registered and enrolled. No action from the church is needed.
If a church has more than 10 employees, the church needs to register on the website here. The church then needs to register and certify as exempt after creating an account.
What will a church need to register:
- Church EIN number
- Access code sent in the mail or by email after registering (there is also the option to click if you don’t have an access code or call customer support at 1-833-1392)
Employers notified by the Program, who believe they are exempt, will need to follow specific procedures to certify their exemption. After completing the exemption form, it is recommended you keep a copy of the completed exemption form for the church file.
Click here for more information about the New York Secure Choice Program, please visit the website.
Click here for more information about Wespath qualified retirement plans.