Member Benefits Open Enrollment is happening now through Nov. 17.* Support your workers as they explore and choose their 2024 health and financial benefits.
*Cycle 1 Open Enrollment is Nov. 1-17 and Cycle 2 is Dec. 4-15. If you’re not sure which cycle your workers fall in, contact your Account Manager.
Open Enrollment Reports
Reports available in the Employer Portal will not display the status of Open Enrollment events (started, submitted, etc.). You may contact CPS for information regarding your workers’ Open Enrollment submission status.
After the Open Enrollment period has fully closed (11/17 for Cycle 1 and 12/15 for Cycle 2), the Enrollment Elections report in the Employer Portal will provide details regarding your workers’ 2024 benefit elections.
Payroll deductions based on Open Enrollment elections go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or 888-927-7526.
Reminder: HSAs and Medicare don’t mix
Active workers who are 64 or older need to be aware of special health savings account (HSA) contribution limits that may apply when Medicare becomes their primary medical coverage. These HSA limits can affect how much workers can save up to six months prior to applying for Medicare. Please share these HSA and Medicare FAQs with workers who are age 64 or older and are contributing to an HSA so they can make informed decisions about saving.
Personal Spending Accounts - Maximum Annual Contribution Limits
As we move into Member Open Enrollment, remember there are maximum annual contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSA), dependent care flexible savings accounts (DCFSA) and medical flexible savings accounts (FSA).
For HSAs, there is no minimum amount that must be contributed. However, the IRS does set maximum contribution amounts. This amount is subject to change each year; for 2024 the government-imposed maximum contributions are $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families. Anyone over age 55 or who will be 55 before the end of the year may contribute extra money, also known as "catch-up" contributions. The maximum catch-up contribution is $1,000 for 2024.
For 2024, workers contributing to DCFSA can elect to contribute up to $5,000 per household ($2,500 if married and file separate returns). Workers contributing to a medical FSA in 2023 will have $3,200 maximum limit per account (not per household). Employer contributions to a worker’s medical FSA do not count toward the $3,200 limit, but other restrictions may apply under the Affordable Care Act.
EAP Webcast on Compassionate Leadership
If you’re enrolled in the Concordia Health Plan, you can access the Cigna Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webcasts. Because you are leaders, we recommend watching the on-demand webcast “Managers: Compassionate Leadership” which covers what compassionate leadership looks like and how you can use it to manage effectively.
Visit Cigna.com/EAPwebcasts to see all the upcoming and on-demand webcasts available.
Annual Compensation Reports (ACRs) are necessary to ensure accurate billing and proper benefits for your workers. If your ministry previously used the ACR Online Tool, please note that this tool is not available for 2024 submissions. Instead, ACR forms were mailed to your ministry. Please complete and return the ACR form by Jan. 31, 2024, using the envelope provided.
If you would prefer to complete a digital template with your workers’ 2024 salaries, please contact your Account Manager to request a form and instructions. Visit our ACR resource page for instructions, FAQs and more.
FREE W2s from Paychex
Paychex, one of Concordia Plans payroll services partners, is currently offering one year of FREE electronic W2s for all new clients that run their first payroll with Paychex between Nov. 1, 2023 and Feb. 28, 2024.
Why Paychex? They provide:
Payroll processing & tax administration – Automatic calculation and payment of your federal, state and local tax liabilities, as well as accurate, timely quarterly and annual filings.
Peace of mind – Assurance that you’re joining a family of more than 600 LCMS churches and schools that have chosen Paychex as their payroll and HR partner.
Multiple payment methods – Use direct deposit, pay cards and other options to meet the needs of your employees.
Dedicated payroll specialists – Trained on clergy payroll and items such as the minister housing allowance, worker classification, exemption laws and more.
Are you prepared for 2024 employment laws and regulation updates?
Many states have labor law updates that go into effect on Jan. 1. Do you know if any of these updates affect your ministry, employment processes or employee handbook? Don’t leave it to chance. Concordia Plans has partnered with Mineral, a leader in HR solutions, to provide ministries with HR Services. Mineral can help your ministry stay compliant with state and federal laws, easily create or update handbooks and provide a team of HR experts to guide and answer questions. Take the guesswork out of HR compliance with Mineral. Learn more at ConcordiaPlans.org/HR.
Summer 2024 internship opportunities at CPS
Do you know a college student who is interested in growing his or her skills next summer while serving the LCMS?
CPS is looking for 2024 summer interns for a variety of areas, including IT, human resources, creative marketing and business administration. Interns should be entering their junior or senior year of college in Fall 2024 and be available to serve at the International Center in St. Louis May 29 through July 26. Our paid internship program helps young people develop skills through project work, creates meaningful mentor relationships for them with experienced professionals, offers training on several real-world business scenarios and more.
If your workers are enrolled in the Concordia Health Plan, they can earn 100 Vitality Points in a new challenge in which they practice gratitude in creative ways over 25 days (Nov. 17 – Dec. 13).
To receive points, a worker must reach TWO BINGOS – in any direction and any combination of vertical, horizontal or diagonal: a total of 10 completed items.
Starting Nov. 17, workers can track progress with this form or use the Vitality Points Planner under the "Wellness Challenge” tile.
Once two BINGOs are reached, workers can submit the document or a picture of it to Vitality through the "Gratitude Bingo+" tile within the "Wellness Challenges" category of the Points Planner (only one submission will be accepted).
Entries must be submitted by Dec. 17 to receive points.
Also, to encourage an attitude of gratitude throughout the holiday season, your workers will have a music playlist available. This playlist is a mix of 50 contemporary Christian songs and traditional Lutheran hymns.
Upcoming member communications
Here’s a snapshot of the emails we’ll send your workers this month (they may also receive additional communications from our vendors):
Member Open Enrollment for 2024 benefits
Open enrollment runs Nov. 1-17.* Materials are available at ConcordiaPlans.org/OpenEnrollment. *Cycle 1 Open Enrollment is Nov. 1-17 and Cycle 2 is Dec. 4-15. If you’re not sure which cycle applies to your workers, contact your Account Manager.
Meet a Financial Educator
Workers can make one-on-one virtual appointments with an Educator to discuss financial and retirement planning during our “Meet a Financial Educator” event Nov. 6-9.
Financial Wellness Webinar
Our Nov. 16 webinar on Social Security planning will be held at 10 a.m. CT.