The 2026 Employer Benefit Elections period is open now - Sept.12. Visit ConcordiaPlans.org/ERElections to find resources such as guides, plan information and recordings of our Employer Election webinars.
Before making elections, review your 2026 Employer Renewal Notice mailed to your ministry in mid-June. Need another copy? Contact us at 888-927-7526 or [email protected].
Making changes? Contact your Account Manager by Sept. 12.
No changes? No further action is needed. Your plans will renew automatically.
If there are no personal spending account (PSA) changes, no action is needed. However, if you do want to make changes, please note the following:
If you need to establish a new PSA, you’ll need to contact your Account Manager.
Reminder: All employer elections must be submitted by Sept. 12 to ensure timely and accurate coverage for your workers. Please plan accordingly – no extensions can be granted after this deadline.
Personalized support: Connect with your Account Manager
Your ministry deserves personalized support — and that’s exactly what your dedicated Account Manager is here to provide. Whether you need help understanding benefit options or navigating administration, they’re ready to assist.
From the Employer navigation bar on our website, click “Contact My Account Manager.” You’ll be taken to the same page, where you can select your district.
Once there, you can email your Account Manager directly or schedule a meeting using their Calendly link.
We hope you find this tool helpful as you care for your workers and your ministry!
Download the new ‘Benefits Administration Guide’
The refreshed “Concordia Plans Benefits Administration Guide” is your go-to resource for managing worker benefits with confidence. From enrollment and eligibility to employer obligations — everything you need is in one place.
If you haven’t already, be sure to download the updated guide and keep it handy for quick reference throughout the year.
Fall CRSP 403(b) Event: Help your workers grow their retirement savings
September is full of financial planning events for your workers so they can be better prepared for retirement. Workers taking advantage of these solutions can also improve your retention. Eligible workers will receive a series of emails encouraging them to save for retirement and plan for their financial future by:
Starting or increasing the amount they’re saving for retirement in the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP) 403(b). We’ll show how even an extra $20 a paycheck can make a difference.
Making an appointment with a Financial Educator during our fall “Meet a Financial Educator” held event Sept. 15–18.
Submitting their actions for Vitality Points for attending a financial webinar, meeting with a Financial Educator or starting to save in the CRSP (for those enrolled in the CHP).
Help your workers save – automatically with AutoSave
AutoSave is a CRSP 403(b) feature that makes saving for retirement easier for your workers — and simpler for you. With automatic enrollment and/or annual contribution increases, AutoSave supports your workers’ financial futures by making saving the default.
Research shows that most workers prefer their employer to take these proactive steps to help them prepare for retirement. By adopting AutoSave, you’re helping them start strong and save more over time.
Employers: Join us Sept. 25 to learn the basics about Life Insurance
Thank you for choosing the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP) to provide Basic Life Insurance benefits for your workers. You’re providing peace of mind that they’ll have financial benefits during a very difficult time.
Join us for “Life Insurance Basics,” a webinar hosted by Meg Nichols, Director of Benefit Product Solutions, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. CT.
At our webinar, Meg will provide:
An overview of CDSP Basic Life Insurance benefit
Resources to help workers determine the correct coverage amount
Information on additional insurance options, such as Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Travel Accident and Supplemental Life
Guidance on beneficiaries and the importance of having these on file
Details on conversion and portability, and what these mean for your workers
An introduction to the administrative teams at Concordia Plans (CPS)
Learn more about the benefits you’re providing for your workers.
Managing HR doesn’t have to be complicated — or time-consuming. That’s why we’d love for you to join us Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. CT for a live webinar on how CPS can give you access to Mineral: the all–in–one HR platform built to make your job easier.
With Mineral, you’ll get the perfect mix of expert guidance, powerful tools and ready-to-use resources — all in one simple platform.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll discover:
How to connect directly with HR experts for answers you can trust
How to instantly create and update an Employee Handbook
How to assign interactive training from a library of 300+ courses
How to tap into compliance tools, templates, and resources that save you time
Understanding the CRP withdrawal liability provision
At Concordia Plans, our calling is to care for ministries and their workers in a way that supports the long-term stability of our employee benefit programs. As part of walking together in stewardship, we want to explain an important safeguard that is a feature of the Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP) pension.
When ministries participate in the CRP, they join a community that shares responsibility for providing retirement benefits to their employees over a long period. The CRP pension withdrawal liability provision is designed to protect the plan funding. If a ministry closes or chooses to leave the CRP, the ministry may be required to make a final contribution if the plan is not fully funded at that time. This contribution is called withdrawal liability. Withdrawal liability is calculated using the value of the benefits accumulated for the ministry’s workers, past and present, and the current funded status of the CRP. The ministry pays its share of any funding shortfall that may be present and is relievedof any future contributions or administrative costs. In other words, ministries that step away are still responsible for their share of the promises made, so that no extra burden is placed on the remaining ministries.
By including this safeguard, the CRP helps preserve fairness, protects workers’ benefits and maintain the long-term health of the plan.
Upcoming changes to CRSP 403(b) Catch-Up Contributions
Federal retirement legislation, known as the SECURE 2.0 Act, is bringing new opportunities — and requirements — for workers to save more for retirement. As an employer sponsoring the CRSP 403(b), here’s what’s changing:
2025 – Super Catch-Up Contributions: Workers ages 60–63 can contribute up to 150% of the standard catch– up limit.. For 2025, the limit is $11,250 (150% of $7,500) which allows a total contribution of $34,750 for workers in this age range. This new option allows workers in their early 60s to boost their retirement savings in the years leading up to retirement.
2026 – Roth Requirement for High Earners: Workers aged 50+ with prior-year FICA wages above $145,000, must make all catch–up contributions — including super catch-up — on an after-tax Roth basis. This requirement does not apply to SECA wages, i.e., any called workers filing as self-employed are excluded from this requirement. Employers will need to work with their payroll providers to ensure compliance with this requirement.
We’ll share reminders and resources to help you prepare. Watch for more details in upcoming newsletters and emails.
Financial benefits for the toughest of times
Your workers are busy with life and service in His name. They don’t want to imagine what life would be like without them or a loved one but planning is important. Life insurance can help ease financial stress and provide peace of mind in these difficult situations.
Help your workers make sure they have the life insurance benefits they need by encouraging them to:
Check their current coverage. Review their Personal Statement of Benefits in the Member Portal to see their Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP) and Basic Life Insurance benefit amounts (and any additional life benefits they’ve purchased).
Estimate their needs.Visit Securian Financial, our benefit provider’s website, to calculate how much insurance they may need.
Review when a life change happens. After a qualifying life event, workers have 60 days to purchase additional insurance with guaranteed coverage.
Financial Wellness Corner ‘Fall is for Financial Security Challenge’ - workers earn points, grow saving
Now through Oct. 31, your workers can earn Vitality Points and be on their way to securing their financial futures by participating in the “Fall is for Financial Security Challenge.” When they complete at least one of the required financial activities, they’ll be awarded 150 Bonus Vitality Points, in addition to the points already associated with each activity — that’s up to 350 Pointstotal!
Start saving in the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan 403(b):
If they've never saved before, or haven't saved in the past three months or more, associated points and credit will be documented automatically within 60 days of their first contribution. Your workers can find the details in the Financial Wellness category in their Points Planner.
Attend a Financial Webinar:
Workers snap a picture of the "proof" provided during the webinar and submit to Vitality via their Points Planner under the Financial Wellness tab.
Meet with a Financial Educator:
Submit a snapshot to their Points Planner of their appointment confirmation, follow-up messaging or any other proof offered by the Educator.
Upcoming Member Communications
Here’s a snapshot of the communications we’ll send your workers this month (they may also receive additional communications from our vendors):
Financial Wellness Webinar
The upcoming “Building your retirement income with the CRSP 403(b)” webinar is Sept. 11 at 10 am CT. This is a great opportunity to help your workers understand this valuable benefit that you’re providing.
CRSP 403(b) Fall Savings Event
Eligible workers are encouraged to make CRSP 403(b) elections during the CRSP Fall Enrollment event to begin saving for retirement or to increase their savings amounts.
Meet a Financial Educator
We're hosting a “Meet a Financial Educator Event” Sept. 15–18, where members can schedule a Zoom or phone appointment to meet one–on–one with a CPS Financial Educator.
Life Insurance Awareness Month
We are helping to make members aware of the valuable life insurance you are providing them. Members are encouraged to learn more about their life insurance benefits offered through the CDSP, Supplemental Life and/or AD&D.
CPS Survey
Members and employers are invited to share their opinions and experience with CPS through a survey.
