Cheques in the mail next week
By Ana Watts
Many parishes will receive an early Christmas present this year. Recent adjustments in employer premiums for the clergy group benefits plan
were more favourable than anticipated when the employer premiums were set. The result is surplus funds in the account so affected parishes will receive a rebate. Cheques go in the mail Dec. 15.
“Our benefits plan is administered by the diocese and renewed annually,” says diocesan treasurer Canon Fred Scott. “In both 2007 and 2008 our renewal terms were more favourable than anticipated when the employer premiums were set. In fact, the 2008 renewal came in with a marginally reduced premium.”
At a recent meeting of the Finance Committee, the employer share of benefits plan funding was reviewed and found to be in a surplus position. The committee decided to rebate a portion of the surplus to the employing parishes, and retain another portion as a contingency against future spikes in the premium rates.
“The Finance Committee is pleased to share this good news and to provide a financial benefit to the parishes,” says Canon Scott on behalf of the committee.
Clergy who participate in the benefits plan contribute 36 per cent of the cost and the employing parishes pay the remainder. The parish premium is included in the diocesan parish payroll assessment as an employment cost.
The current cost of the clergy group benefits plan to parishes is $300 per month per cleric. In situations where there are vacancies, shared clergy, or interim appointments, the rate is cut in half so those parishes pay only $150.
The total rebate is $41,000 and the base rebate amount for parishes with one full-time cleric is $600, or two months’ assessment. Parishes that do not pay the payroll assessment do not receive the rebate. The employer benefits premium share remains at $300 for a full-time cleric in 2009.
Diocesan Communications
09 December 2008
