New Appointment Onboarding

Welcome to Your New Appointment – Onboarding Steps

Dear Clergy,

Welcome! We are excited to partner with you in ministry.

Please complete the following steps promptly to ensure a smooth transition.

Benefits Eligibility

First, compare your compensation and status to the minimum salary document to determine your appointment status.

Then refer to the 2026 Clergy Healthcare and Retirement/Pension Eligibility Chart

  • Definitions of full-time (100%), ¾ time, ½ time or ¼ time appointments are based exclusively on cash salary as reported on charge conference forms or Statements of Benefits. Cash housing allowances or parsonage equivalents are not included in determining service time levels.
  • Eligibility for Health Care includes Local Pastors appointed full-time, and Elders, Deacons and Provisional/Associate Members appointed either 3/4 or full-time.
  • Eligibility for Pension includes Local Pastors, Elders, Deacons and Provisional/Associate Members appointed either 3/4 or full-time.

If you are not eligible for health care or pension, nothing more needs to be done. Please click here for additional resources to assist in your pastoral transition.

If you are eligible for healthcare and/or pension, proceed below.

Health Care Benefits

HealthFlex Healthcare

Eligibility:

  • 100% appointed Local Pastor
  • 75%–100% appointed Elder, Deacon, Provisional/Associate Member

Requirement:

  • Enrollment is mandatory unless you have other coverage (spouse’s employer plan, TriCare, Medicare, Medicaid, Military).
  • If you are eligible for health care and need to enroll, complete the HealthFlex Enrollment & Change Form below.
  • If you are eligible for health care and are waiving it, complete the HealthFlex Waiver Form below.
  • Several health care plan options are available; see About HealthFlex below for information on those options.

Action:

Promptly submit ALL FORMS to: Autumn Shelby, Benefits/HR Analyst at: AShelby@wocumc.org.

Pension/Retirement Benefits

COMPASS 403(b) Retirement Plan

Eligibility:

  • 75%–100% appointed Local Pastor, Elder, Deacon, Provisional/Associate Member

Requirement:

  • Enrollment is mandatory if you are appointed full-time (100%).
  • If you are appointed at 75% you may waive participation.
  • If you are eligible for pension but are waiving it, please complete the Waiver Form below.
  • If you are eligible for pension and need to enroll or change your contribution, complete the enrollment or pension adjustment form below.
  • Auto enrollment is required at 4% and will automatically increase 1% per year up to a 10% contribution unless you opt out of auto-escalation. You may elect to contribute more at any time.

Auto Enrollment:

  • Personal contribution starts at 4%

Church Contributions:

  • $150 monthly (pro-rated if 75%)
  • 3% of Pensionable Pay + Housing or Parsonage = 35% of Pensionable Pay
  • 1-to-1 match up to 4%

Action:

Promptly submit ALL FORMS to: Autumn Shelby, Benefits/HR Analyst at: AShelby@wocumc.org.

Questions?

Contact Conference Benefits Office: (614) 844-6200.

Thank you for completing these steps as you begin your new appointment.

Blessings,
Grace Welch
Conference Benefits Officer
West Ohio Conference

Starting Well and Ending Well Resources

Click here for additional checklists, forms and documents that are helpful during a pastoral transition, including housing allowance exclusion and accountable reimbursement forms for your new appointment. You may have received this packet of information during your introduction.

Files
2026 Clergy Health Pension and Retirement Eligiblity Chart_.pdf