BRI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Health and Wellness: Our members and their churches experienced an average 8.2% premium rate increase for 2024. Since 2019 premiums have increased by an average of just 5.3% per year. This continues to be below the rising medical inflation trend. 

2. Retirement: We have 2,490 active participants in our plan, which is open to all clergy and non-clergy staff. Participation has grown by 355 members since 2019.

3. General Operations and Administration: Advice and counsel are provided through membership in the Church Benefit Association, Church Alliance, and use of legal counsel, actuary, and consultants specializing in Retirement Plan and Benefits Administration.

4. Participation Overview: A total of about 2,800 active clergy, staff, and retirees as well as 1,890 dependents were enrolled in retirement and benefit plans provided by EPC Benefit Resources as of March 2024. 

5. Medical/Prescription Drug Benefits: To accommodate the varying needs of member EPC churches and staff, 5 medical plans are offered: Platinum, Gold, Silver POS Plans, plus Gold and Bronze High Deductible Health Plans with Health Savings Plan options. These plans offer a wide spectrum of premium and participant cost-sharing levels to choose from.

6. Financial Strength: Premiums increased an average of 8.2% in 2024 with minimal changes in co-pays or deductibles. Our Medical Plan has a very solid financial foundation, assuring us that our members’ medical expenses will be covered. The EPC maintains stop loss insurance and is holding $6.3 million in reserves (as of April 24, 2024) as protection against catastrophic claims.

7. High-Cost Medical Events: Twenty-two individuals covered by our plan incurred over $100,000 each in medical costs during 2023. Many of them require medications costing in excess of $5,000 per month. A crucial role of the EPC BRI plan is to protect members so that a health crisis does not become a financial crisis.

8. National Provider Network: We contracted with Meritain Health (Aetna Choice POS II national provider network) in 2022 for administrative services for the medical plans. Since then, more than 1,300 EPC members and 2,700 of their providers have contacted Meritain for assistance. On average, calls from EPC members were answered within 27 seconds, and our members report that 98.14% of the time their reason for calling is resolved on the first call.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

44-17 That ordained ministers drawing retirement income from the EPC 403(b)(9) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan be allowed to designate up to 100% of their retirement income for housing allowance as permitted by applicable regulations adopted pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

EPC BRI’s vision remains steadfast to improve the physical and financial well-being of pastors, their families, and eligible lay employees in Christian ministry so they may be better equipped to fulfill the Great Commission. Our mission encourages plan participants to improve their health, wellness, and retirement security.

To fulfill our mission, we provide a complete suite of benefits that meet participants’ needs at a competitive cost that are portable, convenient, and consistent with EPC Values and EPC BRI fiduciary responsibilities. Our goal is to accomplish this mission by providing competitive benefit plans, maintaining plan and price stability, encouraging the use of wellness programs, and achieving above-benchmark performing retirement plan returns with flexible distribution options.

We accomplish this through a structure of efficient and cost-effective programs, services, premiums, and expenses. We also seek to create higher member engagement, participation, and satisfaction.

BRI is collaborating with the OGA on strategies to support our ministerial members in areas of physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being. Enrolled members have benefited from these services over the past year.

A crucial role of the EPC BRI plan is to protect members so that a health crisis does not become a financial crisis. Our Medical Plan has a solid financial foundation, assuring us that our members’ medical expenses will be covered. The EPC maintains stop-loss insurance and holds $6.3 million in reserves (as of April 24, 2024) as protection against catastrophic claims.

In 2024, EPC partnered with BeneCard PBF for administration of pharmacy benefits, enhancing our benefit offering. Many processes were put in place during the implementation to ensure a smooth transition for members and their families with active prescriptions.

As a measure to assist members, BRI implemented the Livongo Whole Person Health program to coach and provide practical resources to those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and high blood pressure. BRI has also added a Nurse Health Coaching program to provide education and support to participants with other conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, high cholesterol, asthma, and various lung, heart, and kidney diseases. These programs are available at no cost to EPC Plan participants.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 44-17

That ordained ministers drawing retirement income from the EPC 403(b)(9) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan be allowed to designate up to 100% of their retirement income for housing allowance as permitted by applicable regulations adopted pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

Rationale: To do so permits retired, ordained ministers to take advantage of this significant tax benefit in retirement, thereby making more of their retirement income available for living expenses. Adopting this recommendation on an annual basis provides retired ministers with a readily available reference if asked by tax authorities.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Bill Overcast
Presbytery of the Central South

Jim Levine
RE, Presbytery of the West

Cathy Scott
Presbytery of the East

Stuart VanKirk
RE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies

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MEETING DATES

October 4, 2023: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
December 14, 2023: Video Conference
March 13, 2024: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
October 3, 2024: Video Conference

Respectfully submitted,
 

Michael Busch, Chairman
June 2024

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