Amid shifting global economic realities and leadership transitions, United Methodists from across Africa, Europe and the Philippines gathered for a pension forum hosted by Wespath Benefits and Investments.
The November Central Conference Pension Forum brought together over 45 delegates committed to strengthening the sustainability of clergy pension plans provided through The United Methodist Church.
Central Conference Pensions provide a steady source of retirement income for United Methodist clergy and surviving spouses in nearly 70 annual conferencesin Africa, Europe and the Philippines, supporting about 3,700 people in retirement. The program is supported through donations, which have exceeded $27 million since its inception.
Wespath administers the Central Conference Pensions plans and provides administrative support and consultation, but the long-term goal for each conference’s plan is to become locally self-managed and sustainable.
Participants Receive Clarity on Pension Process
During the five-day forum, participants received clarity on the technical processes underlying pension sustainability. They also heard about changing contexts and the call for adaptability.
A presentation from Frederick Hyland, Wespath’s managing director of actuarial services, drew praise for breaking down complex concepts into digestible insights.
“Hyland’s presentation was not only informative, it was illuminating,” said Clair Aquin Ned P. Canlas, treasurer of the Philippines Regional Conference. “This session provided huge clarity on how actuarial systems work and how they affect our decision-making.”
Leaders stressed the need for pension plans to evolve alongside technology and local realities. Dale Jones, Wespath’s managing director of church relations, underscored the importance of transitioning from paper checks to electronic pension disbursements.
“We seek to assist pension plans in defining and instituting practices to improve sustainability,” Jones said.
Conference Staff Turnovers Present Challenges
However, rapid transitions, especially due to leadership turnover, present challenges.
“It is especially important for our Wespath team to come alongside new (conference) personnel,” Jones noted. “Some officers stepped into roles with little to no handover, lacking access to crucial records such as contribution histories and plan documents.”
Bill Kavanaugh, Wespath chief operating officer and vice president of the Overseas Pension Board, echoed those concerns.
“A number of newly appointed conference leaders have expressed difficulty accessing their predecessors’ documentation,” he said. Addressing this, Wespath held dedicated sessions with conference representatives to fill knowledge gaps and committed to continued mentorship.
Kavanaugh also emphasized ongoing efforts to improve data accuracy and administrative transparency, citing irregularities such as retirees being reported without prior active status records, which jeopardize accurate pension calculations.
Delegates from across the regions brought their challenges to the table. The delegates represented annual conferences, which cover geographical areas within larger regional conferences.
Across the board, participants raised three persistent themes: strengthening internal governance, ensuring reliable contributions and improving access to pension information.
Jones noted a widespread challenge in collecting prescribed contributions from pastors and churches.
Despite the weight of the challenges, there was collective hope and resolve.
“I leave the Central Conference Pension Forum in Manila with hope for the future,” Kavanaugh said. “This is a faith-filled, committed community of servants. We have an obligation to retirees and to those who donated generously to seed this program.”
For participants, the forum provided new knowledge and renewed purpose.
Wespath Benefits and Investments is an entity connected to the United Methodist Church that helps provide investment solutions to United Methodist Members, staff and partners. For more information contact your local annual conference treasurer’s office.
excerpt from a story by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, communicator in the Philippines.
This story shows the impact of the World Service Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to connect our hearts and resources in mission around the world. Through this fund, the Church supports global ministries, discipleship, evangelism, education, and social justice work that transform lives and communities. Together, we share the love of Christ across boundaries and bring hope where it’s needed most.
When your church contributes faithfully to the World Service Fund, you help the whole Church live out God’s mission in every place.
