WELS Benefit Plans Office

Leap Health Introduction

/in

We are excited to announce that WELS has partnered with Leap Health beginning in 2026 to provide WELS VEBA health plan members with a convenient and cost-effective way to receive specialty infusion medications in the comfort of their own homes.

If you are a WELS VEBA member who treats an eligible condition with the infusion of a specialty medication, your dedicated Leap Health care guide can help you with the following:

  • Coordinate infusion scheduling based on your availability, including nights and weekends;
  • Ensure that prior authorizations are performed;
  • Order infusion supplies and medications for delivery at your house; and
  • Select a nurse to travel to your house and perform the infusion.

Using Leap Health for your specialty medication infusions can provide many advantages, including:

  • Convenience. Receive your infusions at home, eliminating the need for hospital or clinic visits.
  • Expert Care. Your dedicated care guide and licensed infusion nurse will provide high-quality, personalized care.
  • Cost Savings. Leap Health purchases your medication at the lowest price with no provider mark-up. This reduces both your out-of-pocket costs and the WELS VEBA plan costs to cover the treatments, which ultimately reduces WELS VEBA premium rates and preserves valuable assets for ministry.

To learn more and connect with your care guide, please visit: app.leaphealth.com/patients/wels or view the Leap Health flyer below.

Leap Health Flyer

 

WELS Benefit Plans Office

2026 WELS Benefit Plans Summary

/in

The following provides a summary of the WELS Benefit Plans for 2026 and information to help newly hired workers begin participating in the plans.

WELS VEBA

To participate in WELS VEBA, a new worker must enroll within 60 days of his/her employment start date.  To enroll, login to the WELS Benefits Service Center website at wels.bswift.com or call 1-800-487-8322 (option 1).

WELS Shepherd Plan

Participation in the WELS Shepherd Plan is automatic for called workers upon acceptance of a formal call issued by WELS.  To enroll, contact the calling body to which you have been assigned for enrollment instructions, and then complete the enrollment at retirementplanconsultants.info/login.

2026 Benefits Guide

 

2026 WELS VEBA Health Plan Open Enrollment

/in

WELS VEBA provides health benefits for workers at WELS and ELS calling bodies across the country.  The above video provides information on the important advantages of WELS VEBA.  A flyer highlighting the main points discussed in the video is available for download here.  We encourage you to share this video and flyer with fellow workers and leaders at your organization as you make future health coverage decisions.

The WELS VEBA Commission is pleased to offer an open enrollment for the WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan for the 2026 plan year.  The open enrollment is available to eligible workers at all WELS and ELS sponsoring organizations, including sponsoring organizations that do not currently participate in WELS VEBA.  Enrollment will open on November 3, 2025 and run through December 1, 2025.

If you would like to enroll in WELS VEBA or make a change to your current WELS VEBA coverage, you can do so via the WELS Benefits Service Center website at wels.bswift.com or by calling 1-800-487-8322 (option 1) beginning on November 3, 2025.  Please carefully consider this opportunity to enroll in WELS VEBA, as the VEBA Commission does not hold an open enrollment every year.

Information regarding the 2026 open enrollment and WELS VEBA benefits is available in the 2026 WELS VEBA Benefits Guide.

The WELS VEBA Commission has also announced that the 2026 premium rates for WELS VEBA medical benefits will increase by an average of 8.5%, although the actual rate change will vary by sponsoring organization.  The 8.5% increase is necessary to ensure that the plan maintains adequate long-term reserves, particularly given inflation-related increases in the cost of health care.  Please consult with your sponsoring organization as you make changes in benefit coverage to discuss the impact on its financial resources and any additional financial obligation which you may incur.  WELS VEBA health plan rates for 2026 are available here on the Benefit Plans website.

WELS Benefit Plans Office

2026 WELS VEBA Health Plan Rates

/in

The 2026 premium rates for the WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan are now available. To find the 2026 premium rates for the plan options available in your area, visit the 2026 health rates page.

The 2026 rates will increase by 8.5% for all plan options due primarily to continued cost inflation (i.e., “trend”) for health care services and prescription drugs. In addition, 2026 will be the second year in a three-year effort to update the geographic rate regions and regional rating factors for all areas. This means that the total 2026 health rate change for each sponsoring organization will be a combination of the 8.5% trend increase and the organization’s new regional rating factor. The total 2026 health rate change will therefore vary by organization and range from a 1.3% increase to a 21.0% increase.

The WELS VEBA Commission approved the new rate regions and rating factors so that WELS VEBA rates will better reflect current health care costs across the country. The health care industry has changed significantly since the current WELS VEBA rate regions were developed approximately 15 years ago, and improved data has allowed the WELS VEBA actuaries to better assess the relative differences in health care costs across local markets. The new regional rating factors will be implemented over three years (2025 through 2027) to spread out the financial impacts to sponsoring organizations. Due to this transition period, please note that the regional rating factor change that will apply to each sponsoring organization’s rates for 2026 will also apply to that sponsoring organization’s 2027 rates. The estimated regional rating factors that will be applied for 2026 and 2027 are provided on each rate region’s 2026 health rates page.

Important note: Organizations, retired members, and COBRA members located in: (1) the metropolitan areas of Jefferson, Wisconsin, and Waupaca, Wisconsin; and (2) rural South Dakota (generally outside the metropolitan areas of Sioux Falls and Rapid City); will be in a different rate region in 2026 than they were in in 2025. Thus, the regional rating factor that will apply to organizations, retired members, and COBRA members located in these areas will be different in 2026 and 2027 than the regional rating factor that applied in 2025. We encourage these organizations and members in particular to visit the 2026 health rates page to determine the rate change that will apply to them in 2026.

The Plan 3 deductible amounts will increase to $3,400/individual and $6,800/family to remain compliant for use with Health Savings Accounts in 2026. No significant changes to covered services or health benefits are anticipated for 2026.

The WELS VEBA Commission approved a full open enrollment period this fall for new coverage effective January 1, 2026. All eligible workers will have the opportunity to enroll for new coverage or make changes to their existing WELS VEBA coverage. Sponsoring organizations that do not currently participate in WELS VEBA will have the opportunity to participate by offering WELS VEBA to their eligible workers for 2026. Open enrollment materials will be mailed to eligible workers and sponsoring organizations by the end of October.

View 2026 health rates
WELS Benefit Plans Office

2025 WELS Benefit Plans Summary

/in

The following provides a summary of the WELS Benefit Plans for 2025 and information to help newly hired workers begin participating in the plans.

WELS VEBA

To participate in WELS VEBA, a new worker must enroll within 60 days of his/her employment start date.  To enroll, login to the WELS Benefits Service Center website at wels.bswift.com or call 1-800-487-8322 (option 1).

WELS Shepherd Plan

Participation in the WELS Shepherd Plan is automatic for called workers upon acceptance of a formal call issued by WELS.  To enroll, contact the calling body to which you have been assigned for enrollment instructions, and then complete the enrollment at retirementplanconsultants.info/login.

2025 Benefits Guide

 

2025 WELS VEBA Health Plan Limited Open Enrollment

/in

WELS VEBA provides health benefits for workers at WELS and ELS calling bodies across the country.  The above video provides information on the important advantages of WELS VEBA.  A flyer highlighting the main points discussed in the video is available for download here.  We encourage you to share this video and flyer with fellow workers and leaders at your organization as you make future health coverage decisions.

The WELS VEBA Commission is pleased to offer a limited open enrollment for the WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan for the 2025 plan year.  The limited open enrollment is available to eligible workers at sponsoring organizations with at least one active worker enrolled in medical benefits under the WELS VEBA health plan.  Enrollment will open on November 1, 2024 and run through December 2, 2024.

If you would like to enroll in WELS VEBA or make a change to your current WELS VEBA coverage, you can do so via the WELS Benefits Service Center website at https://wels.bswift.com or by calling 1-800-487-8322 (option 1) beginning on November 1, 2024.  Please carefully consider this opportunity to enroll in WELS VEBA, as the VEBA Commission does not hold an open enrollment every year.

Information regarding the 2025 limited open enrollment and WELS VEBA benefits is available in the 2025 WELS VEBA Benefits Guide.

The WELS VEBA Commission has also announced that the 2025 premium rates for WELS VEBA medical benefits will increase by an average of 7%, although the actual rate change will vary by sponsoring organization.  The 7% increase is necessary to ensure that the plan maintains adequate long-term reserves, particularly given inflation-related increases in the cost of health care.  Please consult with your sponsoring organization as you make changes in benefit coverage to discuss the impact on its financial resources and any additional financial obligation which you may incur.  WELS VEBA health plan rates for 2025 are available here on the Benefit Plans website.

WELS Benefit Plans Office

2025 WELS VEBA Health Plan Rates

/in

The 2025 premium rates for the WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan are now available. To find the 2025 premium rates for the plan options available in your area, visit the 2025 health rates page.

The 2025 rates will increase by 7% for all plan options due primarily to continued cost inflation (i.e., “trend”) for health care services and prescription drugs. In addition, the geographic rate regions and regional rating factors will change for all areas beginning in 2025. This means that the total 2025 health rate change for each sponsoring organization will be a combination of the 7% trend increase and the organization’s new regional rating factor. The total 2025 health rate change will therefore vary by organization and range from a 0.7% decrease to an 18.9% increase.

The WELS VEBA Commission approved the new rate regions and rating factors so that WELS VEBA rates will better reflect current health care costs across the country. The health care industry has changed significantly since the current WELS VEBA rate regions were developed approximately 15 years ago, and improved data has allowed the WELS VEBA actuaries to better assess the relative differences in health care costs across local markets. The new regional rating factors will be implemented over three years (2025 through 2027) to spread out the financial impacts to sponsoring organizations. Due to this three-year transition period, please note that the regional rating factor change that will apply to each sponsoring organization’s rates for 2025 will also apply to that sponsoring organization’s 2026 and 2027 rates. The estimated regional rating factor that will be applied annually for 2025 through 2027 is provided on each rate region’s 2025 health rates page.

The Plan 3 deductible amounts will increase to $3,300/individual and $6,600/family to remain compliant for use with Health Savings Accounts in 2025. No significant changes to covered services or health benefits are anticipated for 2025.

The WELS VEBA Commission approved a limited open enrollment period this fall for new coverage effective January 1, 2025. Eligible workers serving at sponsoring organizations that participate in WELS VEBA will have the opportunity to enroll for new coverage or make changes to their existing WELS VEBA coverage. Limited open enrollment materials will be mailed to eligible workers and sponsoring organizations by the end of October.

View 2025 health rates

2022 WELS Retirement Program Updates

/in

WELS has produced the following videos, one for workers and one for sponsoring organizations.  These videos provide an update on the status of the WELS Pension Plan freeze and transition to a defined contribution plan for worker retirement benefits.

Spring 2022 worker video.

Spring 2022 sponsoring organization video.

In addition, the Hahn Financial Group has prepared this video walkthrough to help workers designate beneficiaries and make investment elections for the defined contributions in their Shepherd Plan accounts.

WELS intends to deposit the January 2022 quarter’s defined contributions into workers’ Shepherd Plan accounts by the end of April. The following is a summary of the main actions for workers and organizations to take by the end of March to prepare for the first defined contribution deposit:

  1. Organizations should ensure that each called worker has a participant account set up on the Shepherd Plan website, or provide called workers with your organization’s five-digit password so that workers can set up their own accounts.
  2. Workers should log in to their WELS Shepherd Plan participant accounts to verify demographic information, make investment elections for their new defined contributions, and designate beneficiaries.
  3. Workers should log in to the WELS Pension Plan benefit estimate website to obtain an estimate of their Pension benefit amounts, as well as to review their contact information and service history on file with WELS.

The Shepherd Plan website is available here: https://www.yourplanaccess.net/retirementplanconsultants/.

The Pension Plan benefit estimate website is available here: wels.net/pensionbenefitestimate.  Workers can log in with their unique passcode printed on the letter dated March 1, 2022 and mailed to workers.

The following videos, produced in October 2021, provide additional information about the transition and the new defined contribution plan:

The first video summarizes the upcoming WELS Retirement Program changes.

The second video provides called workers with an introduction to the WELS Shepherd Plan and how the new defined contributions can be used.

The WELS Benefit Plans Office and the Hahn Financial Group are happy to help with questions that you may have regarding the transition and the first defined contribution deposit. For questions regarding the Pension Plan and the new defined contributions through the Shepherd Plan, including contributions and billing, please contact the Benefit Plans Office by calling 414-256-3299 or e-mailing [email protected]. For questions regarding the Shepherd Plan and how workers can log in to their accounts and request a financial review, please contact the Hahn Financial Group by calling 1-800-516-4246 or e-mailing [email protected].

Investment Advisory Services and Insurance Products offered through Hahn Financial Group, Inc., an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.  Neither Hahn Financial Group, Inc., nor its representatives provide tax or legal advice. For answers to your specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney or tax advisor.

WELS Benefit Plans Office

No Surprises Act

/in

The No Surprises Act was enacted to protect health plan members from surprise billing after receiving certain services from out-of-network providers.

The WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan (the “Plan”) provides health benefits to eligible WELS/ELS workers and their eligible dependents.  The Plan is required by law to notify members of their protections against surprise billing under federal law.

You may view the WELS VEBA No Surprises Act notice by clicking this link.

Helping Workers and Organizations Prepare for the 2022 WELS Retirement Program Changes

/in

Following the 2021 synod convention’s endorsement of the WELS Pension Plan freeze and transition to a defined contribution plan in 2022, WELS has produced the following three videos to help called workers and sponsoring organizations prepare for the upcoming changes.

The first video summarizes the upcoming WELS Retirement Program changes.

The second video provides called workers with an introduction to the WELS Shepherd Plan and how the new defined contributions can be used.

The third video provides sponsoring organizations with the actions to be taken to support their workers and the new defined contribution plan.

The following is a summary of the main actions for organizations and workers to take to prepare for the new defined contribution plan:

  1. WELS sponsoring organizations will need to join the WELS Shepherd Plan as of January 1, 2022 if they have not already;
  2. WELS sponsoring organizations should create participant accounts on the WELS Shepherd Plan website for their eligible workers who do not already have Shepherd Plan participant accounts based on their service at their current organizations; and
  3. Called workers should log in to their WELS Shepherd Plan participant accounts to verify demographic information, select investment allocations for their new defined contributions, and select beneficiaries.

The WELS Benefit Plans Office and the Hahn Financial Group are happy to help with questions that you may have regarding the upcoming changes. For questions regarding the new defined contribution plan and the WELS Pension Plan, including contributions and billing, please contact the Benefit Plans Office by calling 414-256-3299 or emailing [email protected]. For questions regarding the WELS Shepherd Plan and how sponsoring organizations can enroll and create participant accounts, please contact the Hahn Financial Group by calling 1-800-516-4246 or emailing [email protected].

In addition, a comprehensive “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page, as well as a benefit comparison tool to help workers to compare their potential benefits at retirement under the current and new programs, are available at the links below.

FAQ
Comparison Tool