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Special Announcements

Aflac Open Enrollment Period Now through

February 29, 2012

 

It’s time for Aflac open enrollment! We have teamed up with Aflac to expand our benefit plan again this year, with policies becoming effective on 3/1/2012. Clergy and lay employees of the New Mexico Annual Conference are eligible to participate – even if they work less than fulltime. Some employees have utilized these voluntary benefits in the past, but this year we want to ensure that everyone knows these are available to you and your immediate family at group rates. These are voluntary benefits, paid for by the participant through payroll deduction.

 

Aflac is the largest provider of supplemental benefits in the nation and has been in business for nearly 58 years. Aflac offers policies such as accident, cancer, disability, critical illness, vision and dental.  Many of the plans provide annual wellness benefits in addition to the plan benefits.  These plans are all offered on a pretax basis, and each policy is portable, so you can keep the policy even if you go to work elsewhere, with no change in coverage or cost. Scroll down to review the policies, coverages and rates for this year.

 

Purchasing policies such as the ones offered through Aflac may be something you never thought about before now. But consider this testimony from your Conference Communications Coordinator:

 

“As parents of five teenagers, my husband and I decided it would be a good decision to have the AFLAC accident policy. Between sports, driving, kids being kids, we figured the monthly premium would be an investment for the inevitable. We were right, but to our surprise, it wasn’t the kids who first needed the policy. Our first claims were actually for us. My husband hurt his knee followed quickly by my need for stitches. Eventually, the kids had accidents, too.

Filing always was quick and easy and the money received helped with medical bills and other expenses. Over the years, we have had several claims. But the claim I thought we would never make happened in June of last year.

My beloved husband was killed in a house fire. There was no life insurance but I had the AFLAC accident policy. In a surreal moment, I called our AFLAC representative, Kevin. With compassion and care, he listened as I struggled to tell him what had happened. He took over, gently guiding me through what was needed. Within days I received a check that helped take away some of the financial worry.

I am grateful to Kevin and AFLAC. It wasn’t always easy choosing to continue to pay the monthly premium, but I’m thankful we did and I will maintain my policy.

AFLAC gives you peace of mind and the means to handle those times you hope never happen”.

– Karla Abernethy-Thetford

 

Because these plans are set up on a pretax basis, they are regulated by the IRS, just like a retirement contribution.  Due to compliance regulations, each employee is required to meet with the Aflac representatives through February 29, 2012, to either apply for or waive coverage during the open enrollment. Plan coverage is effective March 1, 2012.

 

This is the only opportunity you will have to take advantage of these policies during the year.  An Aflac Representative will be in contact with each of the churches in order to schedule a presentation and enrollment. 

Pastors, please share this information with your staff! Thank you in advance for your attendance at these meetings.  If you have any questions regarding these policies, you may contact Kevin Lorenzen, District Sales Coordinator for Aflac at 505-771-9393, or Terry Shoemaker, in the Conference Office at 505-255-8786.

 

AFLAC Policies and Information:

 

 

Award-Winning Wellness

HealthFlex and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits recently earned the 2011 Eye on Health Award from Virgin HealthMiles (VHM). The Eye on Health Award honors organizations that demonstrate overall excellence impacting the health and wellness of employees and participants. The comprehensive wellness programs offered through HealthFlex promote improved health for its participants throughout The United Methodist Church. As one of fifteen HealthFlex sponsors, the New Mexico Conference can proudly share in this award. This achievement would not have been possible without everyone’s support for the wellness initiatives. Thanks to all of you! Read the full announcement here: 

 icon 2011 Eye on Health Award Recipient

 

 

 

Clergy Benefits Academy-- Registration Open for Mesquite, Texas!

 

Registration is open for the Clergy Benefits Academy in Mesquite, TX, February 6-8, 2012.  Clergy participate in different 'classes' to learn more about tax laws, Social Security, financial Planning for the future, estate planning, living a healthy & balanced life-- just to name a few of the offerings.  Clergy meet with representatives from the General Board of Pension & Health Benefits for a personal consultation on account balances and pension projections.  A brochure is posted on the Conference website with more information (see below).  The New Mexico Board of Pension and Health Benefits will reimburse attendees up to $125 of the registration fee.  Space is limited, so don't delay in registering for this event. 

 

 To register, go to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits website at www.gbophb.org/events , and click on the "Register Now!" link next to Clergy Benefits Academy.

 

Whether just starting out in your ministry, or a few short years away from retirement, this is an event you won't want to miss!

 

 icon Clergy Benefits Academy flyer (2)