The California-Pacific Conference received communication from Wespath Benefits & Investments informing us that they have approved a 90-day holiday from CPP (Comprehensive Protection Plan) premiums for Annual Conferences. These premiums are paid monthly out of Conference Board of Pensions reserve funds held at Wespath, and then are billed to the churches by the Conference, with the amount received then sent to Wespath to replenish Board of Pensions reserve funds.

The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, under the leadership of Barbara Roberts, Board Chair, has voted that for July, August and September, this holiday from CPP premiums will be passed on to churches. The churches will not be billed for CPP in July, August and September.

The Comprehensive Protection Plan provides death, long-term disability and other survivor benefits for clergy. The plan is administered by Wespath.

The savings will be reflected in the billing from the Conference Benefits Office. Temporarily relieving this expense will not impact the benefits received.

This is the second opportunity the Conference Board of Pension & Health Benefits has taken to offer a payment holiday to local churches. The Board previously voted to cover contributions for our clergy retirement/pension programs, CRSP DC and CRSP DB, as well as the death and disability program, CPP, for the months of April, May and June with reserve funds. Conference billing for July, August and September will once again show a charge for CRSP DC and CRSP DB, but there will be no charge for CPP for July, August or September.

Jan Hanson
Director of Human Resources