Glenview, IL—Wespath is pleased to announce the launch of the Compass Retirement Plan, a future-focused retirement plan for United Methodist clergy. Compass was developed through extensive collaboration and a shared commitment across The United Methodist Church connection

Compass reflects a collective vision rooted in a simple but profound question: How can the Church ensure that clergy are adequately supported in retirement in a manner that is sustainable for the mission of making disciples? What followed was years of listening, learning and co-creating, involving voices from a diverse array of individuals across the Church.

“Compass marks a new chapter of sustainable retirement benefits for clergy who serve the Church,” said Andy Hendren, Wespath’s General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. “Shaped with input from clergy and annual conferences, Compass is designed for the realities of the evolving UMC, providing secure retirement benefits for eligible clergy without continuing to extend the denomination’s funding obligations for decades after individuals retire.”

Compass is an account-based retirement plan designed to provide sustainable and flexible retirement benefits through a shared responsibility between clergy and the Church. In addition to personal contributions made by clergy, the plan includes multiple retirement contributions from the Church: a $150 monthly contribution (that adjusts with inflation), a percentage of salary, and a match on clergy’s personal contributions.

Compass also includes a student loan matching provision, automatic annual contribution increases, and an increase in the value of a parsonage that is counted for contributions—helping facilitate more equitable savings opportunities for clergy across varied appointment settings and compensation levels.

Through Compass, clergy can invest using LifeStage Investment Management (LifeStage). LifeStage provides a unique investment portfolio for each participant—and automatically adjusts it over time—based on personal factors like age and risk tolerance.  LifeStage now includes access to Wespath’s Social Values Choice (SVC) Funds, a set of investment options that apply additional values-based investment exclusions. The SVC Funds exclude investments in fossil fuel companies and certain securities associated with human rights concerns and conflict-affected areas.

“While change can be challenging, the transition to Compass is change rooted in John Wesley’s teachings about stewardship and Wespath’s mission to continue caring for those who serve for many generations into the future,” Hendren added.

The launch of Compass also underscores Wespath’s role as a trusted partner to the Church. By balancing care for individuals with sustainability for the whole connection and its mission of transformational discipleship, Compass strengthens retirement readiness while honoring the shared responsibility of the UMC.

For more information on Compass, please visit: https://www.wespath.org/retirement-investments/Compass.

Media Contact:
Christina Tincher
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-5293
[email protected]