May Benefit Insights

You're going to want to read this one very carefully!

Here's the Benefit information you need to know: 

1. Registration for onsite Blueprint for Wellness events at Annual Conference for those on our Healthflex insurance plan are open for registration. We NEED you to register for June 10th so we can hold the event. (Special Incentive, see below!)
2. May Lunch and Learn: May 21, at 11:30 a.m.  It’s all about Q&A.
3. May is Mental Health Awareness month and we’re sharing some resources
4. Compass education opportunities

KEEP READING! 
 

1. For those on HealthFlex, Blueprint for Wellness Onsite Events are up, and you can register.
   - June 10, at the NIC Annual Conference.
   - Go to your PersonifyHealth (formerly Virgin Pulse) or go online to Wespath.org, Benefits Access, Well-Being, Biometric Screening (on the left side), click on QUEST Diagnostics and search for your event. 
   - If you need help registering, please contact Rev. Cheryl Weaver at 608-478-4609.
   - If you register and complete your screening at Annual Conference, the Conference Benefits office is offering you incentives. One will be a $10 Starbucks card. Take charge of your health, get $100 from Personify AND a Starbucks treat on us. PLUS, if you register by May 15th, you might get an extra gift. (We just want to make sure folks are reading the benefits insight newsletters!) 
    
2. Lunch and Learn in May.
   May 21 at 11:30 a.m.  
   We will gather on Zoom and I’m taking your questions about benefits. I will also share what’s coming up at Annual Conference for a vote regarding our benefit policies. No registration!  
   Send your questions in advance to Rev. Cheryl Weaver.
   
   Link: May Lunch and Learn
   
   Future dates/topics of the Lunch and Learns.
   1. No Lunch and Learns in June or July
   2. August 20, 11:30 a.m. Getting ready for Charge Conference from a Benefits Perspective
   3. September 17, 11:30 a.m. Compass, One More Time
   4. October 22, 11:30 a.m. HealthFlex Open Enrollment
   5. November 19, 11:30 a.m. CPP, What is it exactly? Wespath presenter, Carrie Persavale
   6. December 10, 11:30 a.m. – SPECIAL Advent Worship
      NOTE: The recording of April 23rd Lunch and Learn is not available, due to technical difficulties.
       
3. May is Mental Health awareness month.
   The World Health Organization’s latest data shows the most significant rise in mental health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 26% rise in anxiety and a 28% increase in depression rates within just one year. Today, 301 million people struggle with anxiety disorders, and 58 million of them are children and adolescents. More than 280 million people worldwide face depression, including 23 million young people. These depression statistics highlight the urgent need for improved mental health treatment and awareness.
   
   Screening is important! Take a Mental Health Test – Mental Health America
   Resources
   - Emotional Health: Resiliency Toolkit - Wespath
   - Stress: Recognizing and Coping with Stress - Wespath
   - Recess at work? Why Not! Why Recess Breaks Matter at Work | TotalWellness
    
   
4. If you haven't heard yet (can't believe you would have missed this.....) the Retirement Plan for CLERGY is changing January 1, 2026 to COMPASS! 
   Compass will be presented at the Clergy Session on May 13. You can ask your questions on the Lunch and Learn  on May 21. Wespath will also present at Annual Conference,  there will be a special in person Lunch-and-Learn on Tuesday, June 10 at AC. There will also be several webinars in late summer and Fall.
   
   Things you can do NOW to prepare yourself for the new retirement program:
   1. Go to your Benefits Access at wespath.org and check out your personal retirement account balance. Request a retirement projection and more. Click on the Compass page.
   2. Engage in EY (or any other) retirement planning to project your retirement needs.
   3. Starting in 2026, the retirement match is 4%.  Please review your finances to see how you can put 4% in your retirement account. Need some budgeting resources? Contact your CBO, Rev. Cheryl Weaver
   4. Do you have student loans you are paying for? They can be credit towards your 4% match!
   5. If you cannot afford to give a match up to 4%, maybe your church needs to complete an equitable compensation grant application. Watch for more information on this coming August.
   6. Do you need more information?  Please look at the Compass resources again and attend the trainings as offered. Ask questions!