A new “default” plan and clergy flat rate (the portion of the premium paid by each church) are part of NIC clergy medical insurance for 2025. 

Last summer, the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Pensions set the 2025 clergy flat rate to $1,850. Churches will contribute this amount toward the insurance premium for each of their appointed full-time clergy (and partner or family).  

The CBP determined the amount by estimating the cost of insuring all the full-time clergy—who are all members of the annual conference and not congregations—and dividing it by the number of clergy participants. In this way, all the churches together share the costs of insuring clergy and their families; a congregation does not pay for “its own” clergy. 

The board also chose a default medical plan for participating clergy and their families. This plan requires no premium contribution by the clergyperson (and partner or family). For 2025, the default plan is H2500. Unlike the 2024 plan—H5000—the deductible is half of what it was in 2024. (For a participant, this reduces the deductible from $5,000 to $2,500. For a participant and a partner or family, it reduces the deductible from $10,000 to $5,000.) Participants can choose a health savings plan to which the plan contributes $250 for one participant and $500 for a participant and partner or family. (More details to come.) 

Clergy participants may choose a different plan; however, they would have to pay a “personal portion,” the difference in cost. A church could cover this portion or could deduct it from the pastor’s paycheck.  

Educational opportunities to learn about the insurance plans began in September and continue through the open enrollment period, Oct. 30-Nov. 14. Participating clergy MUST choose a medical plan; one will NOT be automatically assigned. 

The CBP understand that the increased clergy flat rate will be challenging for local churches. The board’s work requires it to balance the cost of benefits and providing health care to clergy. Because the conference does not have reserves to cover rate increases, congregations must pay them. Wespath, the United Methodist agency that administers the health plan HealthFlex, determines these rates. Past years’ claims and other factors inform the rate amount.  

It's important that all clergy (and lay members) are active in maintaining their health. Very helpful toward this goal are Wespath resources such as the Blueprint for Wellness, Virgin Pulse, and full coverage of preventive care visits. Mental health is also so important; Wespath offers resources to help manage stress, among other mental-health matters.