Covenant Benefits Service recently mailed notices to Covenant churches and ministries with important updates for the future of the Covenant-sponsored insurance plan for ministers and staff of local churches, ministries, and retirees. You can download the notice HERE>>.
Covenant Benefits Service announced an upcoming change to the name of the Covenant’s benefits program. Beginning in January 2022, the Covenant health, life, and disability package, as well as retirement programs for ministers, will become Covenant Benefits, replacing the name Covenant Benefits Service.
“Our team is excited to be able to bring all we do under one name. Covenant Benefits will support churches and ministers in all their benefits needs, including retirement funding support,” says Christina Kempe, director of benefits for the Evangelical Covenant Church. The Covenant continues to partner with GuideStone for 403b services; Covenant Benefits assists in administering, communicating, and enforcing compliance with our mandatory contribution rules for ministers.
In 2022, life and long-term disability premiums will remain the same. The four tiers of health insurance will experience a 6% rate increase. Kempe notes, “Although Covenant Benefits strives to keep premiums as low as possible, ongoing inflation in medical and prescription drug expenses—in tandem with specific intensive medical needs among some of our Covenant family—continues to impact claims costs. An incremental increase in premium costs is needed to reflect increased costs.”
Covenant Benefits Service will be soliciting feedback about the current benefits offerings from Covenant ministers, churches, and ministries later this year by email. Responses could impact benefits offerings as soon as January 2023. With each survey response received, the plan will donate $10 to the Ministers’ Care and Crisis Fund. If eligible to take the survey, please keep an eye out for it in your email inbox in November.
The Covenant Benefits Service plan will continue to provide a comprehensive benefits package for Covenant ministers and ministry staff in 2022, which includes a low-deductible Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, prescriptions, dental, and vision care. If an employee has health coverage through another employer plan, such as their spouse’s employer, they can still enroll in life, long-term disability, dental, and vision benefits.
Churches or individuals interested in learning more about participation in the Covenant benefits program are encouraged to call Covenant Benefits personnel at (800) 313-8955, or email benefits@covchurch.org. Information also is available by visiting covchurch.org/benefits
