Connectional Pension Support
Providing dignity in retirement for those who serve beyond the U.S.
What is the Connectional Pension Support Program?
The Connectional Pension Support (CPS) program provides a steady source of retirement income for United Methodist Church clergy and surviving spouses in the regional conferences outside the United States. Pension plans in Africa, the Philippines and Europe—which support about 3,700 retirees and beneficiaries—are part of the CPS program.
While each regional conference works to make its pension plan sustainable over the long term, the CPS program would not exist without the thousands of generous donors who have given over $28 million since the program’s inception. Wespath administers the CPS program and promotes best practices in the management and funding of pension programs outside the U.S.
Learn More About Pension Recipients
Many individuals who receive support from CPS use their benefit payments to cover essential needs, such as food and medicine for themselves and their families. Others have used the funds to start small businesses, improve their homes and even assist with family members’ school tuition.
Surviving Spouse Builds Home, Opens Vegetable Kiosk
Dolphine Abangi, a surviving clergy spouse in Uganda, has used her CPS program benefit to build a permanent home for her and her family. She previously lived in a house with a thatched grass roof. She also used her pension to support her children and open a kiosk where she sells vegetables and tomatoes. Abangi thanks God for the support she has received from the CPS program.
Child Beneficiary Uses CPS Support for Medical Care
Losing a parent comes with significant challenges for a child—and for Nabwire Harriet, those challenges grew when she suffered a stroke in August 2018. Nabwire paid her hospital bills using money she received from the CPS program in Uganda. Nabwire said she thanks God for the CPS program.
Retired Pastor’s Ministry Empowered Women and Girls
The Reverend Gertrude Ntamajo served as a pastor for nearly 30 years with a special focus on women and young girls at a church center established by missionaries. Now, with the support of her pension from Wespath and the Burundi Annual Conference, she employs local workers for her farm. Her pension has also enabled her to build a three-bedroom house, which she shares with her daughter, grandchild and great-grandchild.
Persevering Through Civil War
When Rev. Pedro João and his wife Rev. Benvinda were ordained in 1977, the East Angola Episcopal Area had just recently been established. Benvinda joined as the conference’s first female pastor. During their service, the Angolan civil war divided the country and destroyed entire communities. Yet, the couple stayed committed to rebuilding what was lost. Benvinda later served as a district superintendent. Thanks to the CPS program, the couple can continue to support their community in new ways in retirement.
Make a Donation to CPS
Continued generosity to the Connectional Pension Support (CPS) program helps ensure that the program can continue its support of retired United Methodist clergy and surviving spouses outside the U.S. All funds donated to CPS are held and managed by Wespath. The earnings from those invested funds are used to provide the regional conferences with pension support. There are two ways to donate.
Donate through a secure online transaction. You can make a one-time payment or set up recurring donations.
CPS Update Newsletter
The CPS Update newsletter shares the stories of pension recipients, donors and program stewardship. E-mail cps@wespath.org to receive the print or e-edition. The newsletter is published twice a year.
CPS Report
Published every other year, the CPS Report provides insights into the pension plans around the world that receive funds from the CPS program.
CPS Milestones
2000
General Conference 2000 focused the denomination’s attention on the issue of central conference clergy pensions. General Conference 2000 created a task force to launch a pension support plan for the central conferences.
2004
General Conference 2004 amended The Book of Discipline to authorize the effort of the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI)—under the auspices of Wespath—to raise the funds needed to fulfill the original charge. Wespath’s general secretary at the time, Barbara Boigegrain, was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the program.
Bishop Ben Chamness led the initial fundraising effort with a goal of $20 million to fund central conference pensions. Annual conferences donated their annual distribution (Cokesbury) check from the United Methodist Publishing House to support this important effort.
2007
The first pilot program was established in Liberia under the direction of Bishop John Innis. Additional pilot programs were launched in nine African countries from Angola to Zimbabwe.
2009
The original $20 million fundraising goal was reached in December 2009. An additional $5 million challenge goal was announced to support specific conference needs identified during the pilot projects.
2013
By January 2013, all central conferences had adopted a pension plan. And in October 2013, the program achieved its $25 million goal thanks to a generous donation from the General Board of Discipleship. “Initiative” was removed from the name, and the program was renamed “Central Conference Pensions” (CCP).
2019
An auditing firm was hired and began reviewing the pension plans. The firm examines and reports on the procedures and controls for each plan and verifies how funds are received, disbursed and recorded. The firm’s audit reports also provide recommendations to improve the accountability and transparency of the programs.
2020
The first comprehensive Pensions Report was published. The report, which is published biennially, provides insights and transparency into the pension plans supported by the program.
2025
With The United Methodist Church’s adoption of regionalization provisions, “central conferences” were renamed to “regional conferences.”
2026
The program was renamed “Connectional Pension Support” (CPS) to reflect the Church’s 2025 ratified structure.