Disaffiliation Information

Wespath continues to focus on continuity of benefits for those who serve and the impact of disaffiliations on pensions, benefits and liabilities funding. Information on this page is updated periodically.

Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Additional Resources

• CEO Blog: Caring for Those Who Serve—Our Commitment to You (Posted August 18, 2022)
• CEO Blog: Committed to You in a Changing Methodist Ecosystem (Posted April 29, 2022)
• Wespath's Role in Determining Withdrawal Liabilities (Posted August 18, 2022)
• Detailed Q&As for Conferences, Clergy, Institutional Clients: Disaffiliation Topics
• GC postponement to 2024: FAQs Regarding Church and Conference Disaffiliations
• Clergy Withdrawals: Impact on Benefits of Terminating Annual Conference Relationship Under ¶360
• Protocol and Other Restructure Scenarios: FAQs for Potential UMC Restructure

Amicus Briefs

In May 2022, the Council of Bishops requested a declaratory decision (Docket 0522-02) from the Judicial Council regarding the use of ¶2548.2 of The Book of Discipline as an independent path for local church disaffiliation. On June 22, 2022, Wespath submitted an amicus brief to assist the Judicial Council in addressing certain questions in the Council of Bishops’ request related to pension obligations. Read Wespath’s amicus brief.

In early March 2022, the Council of Bishops requested a declaratory decision (Docket 1021-23) from the Judicial Council regarding whether an annual conference may separate from the UMC under The Book of Discipline. On April 12, 2022, Wespath submitted an amicus brief to assist the Judicial Council in addressing certain questions in the Council of Bishops’ request related to the maintenance of retirement benefits in the event of the separation of an annual conference. Read Wespath’s amicus brief.