About Us > History History In the early 1900s, our Synod recognized the need to provide for its faithful servants when they retired from full-time ministry. This resulted in the introduction of the Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers in 1937. As its name suggests, this was a retirement plan for pastors and teachers. Later the Lay Retirement Plan was begun for lay employees of the church. In the early 1960s it was realized that more extensive benefit programs were desirable to assist church workers in coping with the financial aspects of illness, injury, and death. As a result, the Synod created the Concordia Plans to provide comprehensive retirement, health, disability, and survivor coverage. Workers who had been in the Pension Plan for Pastors and Teachers and the Lay Retirement Plan were transitioned into the new Concordia Plans: the Concordia Retirement Plan, the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan, and the Concordia Health Plan. In 1974 the accident insurance program was introduced. For more than 30 years, the name "Worker Benefit Plans" was the "umbrella name" which encompassed all of the various benefit programs and the department of the Synod that administered the plans. In the summer of 2005, "Concordia Plan Services" was created as a separate controlled entity of the Synod with a name that more closely reflected our existing products and set the stage for new service opportunities. The new name and subsequent logo change were quickly coupled with changes in benefit design as well as product and service offerings. In addition, all communications were updated to reveal a fresh, new, personable brand identity. In 2006, a new tax-deferred savings program called the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan was made available, providing workers an opportunity to save for retirement through their personal pre-tax contributions and earn a Basic Match contribution as well. Also in 2006, The Church's Plan, a comprehensive benefit package design, was introduced. Through participation in The Church's Plan, LCMS employers and workers are walking together in all Concordia Plans, supporting one another – walking together as envisioned by the Synod when the Plans were established over 40 years ago. Concordia Plan Services is entrusted with the responsibility of administering the Concordia Plans. It is governed by a Board of Directors which is appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod. The 14 members of the Board are comprised of two pastors, one teacher, the Chief Financial Officer of the Synod, and 10 laypersons. At least four of the laypersons must be experienced in the design of employee benefit plans, at least four must be experienced in the management of benefit plan investments, and at least one must have significant financial/audit experience. Today, under the leadership of James Sanft, President and CEO, a staff of about 100 people administer the various functions of the Plans. There are six divisions within the organization: Education and Outreach Finance Information Technology Operations (comprised of a Member Services Call Center, Enrollment and Eligibility Services, Health Care Services, Retirement and Survivor Services, Disability Services, and Office Services teams) Plan Administration Products and Services Ministry is a life-long vocation for pastors and teachers, as well as for many lay workers. Through the Concordia Plans, caring congregations, schools, and other special ministry organizations provide their workers and their families with an excellent comprehensive program of employee benefits. By partnering with Concordia Plan Services, these same LCMS organizations and church workers have an ally willing to look out for their unique needs and ensure that necessary benefits are available for all those enrolled.