Nashville, TN – The Board of Directors of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) held its summer board meeting virtually on August 27, 2020.

The Board heard the report of the GCFA Committee on Personnel Policies (CPP). CPP received recommendations from board members of Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, the General Board of Higher Education, the General Commission on Archives and History, the General Commission on Church and Society, GCFA, the General Commission on Religion and Race, the General Commission on Status and Role of Women, United Methodist Communications, and United Methodist Men that make up the Committee on Personnel Policies and Practices (CPPP).

The agency representatives on the CPPP are charged with reviewing and recommending policies related to active personnel and retirees of the agencies receiving general Church apportioned funds. The Board approved the recommendation from the agency representatives (CPPP) on the following two items:

  • Increase the annual Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) distribution for retirees by $150 in 2021. Eligible retirees will receive a $2,250 HRA and their spouses will continue to receive a $2,000 HRA.
  • Reduce the Retiree Basic Life Insurance from $25,000 to $10,000, effective January 1, 2021 and phase out the coverage for those who retire on or after January 1, 2022. Existing retirees would be grandfathered in and still be eligible for Retiree Basic Life Insurance. After considering several options, the decision was made to reduce the coverage.

The Board received a report from the Committee on General Agency and Episcopal Matters (GAEM) that indicated giving to the general Church funds showed a slight increase in the month of July compared to July 2019. It is the first time this year there has been a month-to-month increase. However, the year-to-date collections remain $10.3 million or 20% below last year.

The Board also affirmed the election of Bryan Mills as General Counsel upon the recommendation of the selection committee. Mills, who has been with GCFA since January 2009, had served as Interim General Counsel for the past twelve months.

CPPP recommended, and the Board approved, adding Juneteenth as a holiday to be observed by staff of general Church agencies.

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