The WELS Pension Plan was established by the synod in convention in 1966 for all eligible called workers. The Pension Plan for lay workers was established on January 1, 1981. These two plans were combined on January 1, 1992. The Pension Plan was frozen on December 31, 2021 as authorized by the synod in convention in 2021.
The WELS Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan. Participants do not maintain individual accounts with cash balances. Under the WELS Pension Plan, all contributions for all participants are placed into one trust. Benefits are calculated based on a formula that includes two variables: years of credited service that each individual participant has earned, and a benefit basis that is standard across all participants and serves as an average salary approximation based on years of service. Benefits are payable in the form of a monthly annuity for life with options for surviving spouse benefits.
PARTNER LINKS
The WELS Pension Plan utilizes numerous industry-leading service providers to administer benefits for our members. Click here to view our partners and their contact information.
CONTACT US
Visit the Contact Us page for information and to contact a WELS Benefit Plans representative.