Pension and Retirement Plans Update – 11/02/26

Pension and Retirement Plans Update – 11/02/26

This second update from the Clergy Benefits sub-team of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team focuses on clergy pension and retirement plans. The first update from the sub-team was published on October 5. Future communications will address active health insurance, retiree health care, minimum compensation and other clergy benefits.

The central message: retirement benefits already earned under the legacy plans remain secure and will not be reduced because of Conference unification.

Why the plans are secure

United Methodist clergy pension and retirement plans are established at the denominational level through General Conference and are administered by Wespath. East Ohio and West Ohio clergy and retirees therefore participate in the same denominational plans.

The legacy plans include the Pre-1982 Plan, the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP) and the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP). Assets supporting these plans are held in trust and may be used only to provide plan benefits. Wespath reports that these legacy obligations are well funded and substantially de-risked. Benefits already earned will continue according to the applicable plan provisions and each participant’s elections.

The Pre-1982 Plan and Past Service Rates

The Pre-1982 Plan is denominational, but each annual conference sets its Past Service Rate (PSR), the annual amount used in calculating the minimum benefit for each approved year of pre-1982 service. For 2026, East Ohio’s PSR is $1,036 and West Ohio’s PSR is $685. The Conferences’ different PSRs do not change the security of benefits already being paid. Further, the PSR can never be reduced.

Both conferences currently have pre-1982 assets above the amounts needed to support their plan obligations on the market-liability basis most recently reviewed with Wespath. During the coming months, the Benefits sub-team and the respective Conference boards will review the different PSRs, Wespath’s proposed denominational pooling approach and the financial effect of any alternatives. As this process moves forward, we will report openly and transparently on the decisions before us, how those decisions are made, and any recommendations that will be brought to the appropriate bodies for consideration and action.

CRSP benefits remain in place

CRSP was frozen effective December 31, 2025, when new benefit accruals ended. It was not eliminated. Benefits earned through that date are preserved, and the defined-benefit portion continues to operate under the plan’s provisions. CRSP defined-contribution accounts also remain the property of participants and continue to be administered by Wespath.

COMPASS began January 1, 2026

COMPASS replaced CRSP for eligible active clergy beginning January 1, 2026. COMPASS is an account-based, defined-contribution 403(b) retirement plan. Conference or church contributions and clergy contributions are credited to each participant’s individual account under the plan’s rules.

East Ohio and West Ohio participate in the same COMPASS plan, but they currently use some different billing and administrative conventions. The respective Conference boards will work toward aligned practices as part of the unification process. Changes to billing conventions do not change the amounts credited to a participant’s account under the COMPASS plan.

A related benefit: the Comprehensive Protection Plan

The Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) is not a retirement plan, but it is another denominational benefit administered by Wespath. CPP provides disability, death and certain transition benefits for eligible clergy. Eligibility and benefit levels depend on plan provisions, appointment status and participation history. Because CPP is better explained alongside related life and disability benefits, a future communication will provide additional detail.

What clergy and retirees should do now

•  Review your retirement accounts, beneficiary designations and contact information through Wespath Benefits Access.

•  Direct questions about your individual benefits or payment elections to Wespath at 1-800-851-2201.

•  Watch for future Benefits sub-team communications about active health coverage, retiree health care, minimum compensation, CPP and other clergy benefits.

•  Contact your Conference benefits office for questions about your pension and retirement plans or review the information on each Conference’s website.

What to look for next

The next two communications to look for will be about active health insurance and retiree health care.  After that, look for a communication about ancillary benefits that would need aligning in a unified conference. Keep in mind all communications about unification can be found on both the East Ohio and the West Ohio Conference websites.

Resources

•  Wespath Benefits Access: Benefits Access

•  Summary Plan Descriptions for the Pre-1982 Plan, MPP, CRSP, COMPASS, and CPP:

•  October 5, 2026, Benefits sub-team communication:

Conference Benefits Contacts

  • East Ohio Conference | Robin Whitaker
  • West Ohio Conference | Grace Welch