Official Workbook PDF page source text

Resolved, That the Synod in c onvention establish a new bylaw requiring an annual Concordia Plans Transparency Report and participant disclosures using standards equal to or greater than ERISA-style transparency and make the necessary adjustments to enact it; and be it further

Resolved, That a new Bylaw 3.7.1.6 be created as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

The Concordia Plans … 3.7.1.6 The Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services shall prepare and publish an annual Concordia Plans Transparency Report for plan participants and the Synod Board of Directors, written for non- specialists and including a one-page plain language participants summary. ERISAcomparable disclosures will be provided yearly to participants for full transparency, not from government obligation. Concordia Plans will provide to participants and make readily accessible the following disclosures, in ERISA -equivalent form, even when not required by federal law, in keeping with the Synod’s commitment to full financial disclosure (Bylaw 1.5.4):

1. Form 5500 -equivalent annual financial/actuarial report (standardized content comparable in substance and year-toyear comparability to form 5500 and relevant schedules);

2. Summary Plan Description (SPD);

3. Summary Annual Report (SAR);

4. Summary of Material Modification (SMM) (timely notice of significant changes);

5. Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for health benefits; and 6. Individual Benefit Statement (periodic statement of accrued and vested benefits, as applicable).

The report shall conform to the following requirements:

(a) Standard: The level of disclosure provided shall be equal to or greater than ERISA -style disclosure principles in clarity, completeness, and year -to-year comparability. This does not assert that ERISA governs the Concordia Plans.

(b) Publication and access: The report and disclosures shall be posted prominently on the Concordia Plan Services website, accessible through the Synod’s website, and participants shall be notified annually of availability.

(c) Timeline: The first annual report hall be published within twelve months following the close of the 2026 Synod convention and annually thereafter.

and be it further

Resolved, That the costs associated with such reporting be absorbed within existing administrative functions of CPS; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2026 Synod convention affirm the ongoing value and necessity of the Concordia Plans as synodwide trust entities serving church workers and retirees.

Resurrection Spring, TX

Ov. 8-04

To Amend Bylaws to Ensure Sustainability of Concordia Plan Services by Its Working with Other Church Bodies

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) provides significant blessings to workers enrolled in their health, retirement, and disability plans; and

WHEREAS, The cost of the Concordia H ealth Plan (CHP), Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP) , and Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP) offered by CPS is a substantial expense borne by congregations, schools, and other ministries of the Synod;

and

WHEREAS, The pool of workers available to enroll in the CPS benefit plans is relatively small; and

WHEREAS, A larger pool of workers contributing to the CHP , CRP, and CDSP would provide the opportunity to spread expenses over a larger membership base and would increase the ability of CPS to negotiate with vendors; and

WHEREAS, There are other church bodies with whom we agree in biblical morality and medical ethics; and

WHEREAS, Our doctrine permits us to cooperate in externals with other church bodies in non-doctrinal matters; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Bylaws be amended so that CPS can serve a wider population by working with other church bodies to increase collective worker enrollment in order to stabilize the overall cost of the benefits offered by CPS.

Michigan District

Ov. 8-05

To Stabilize the Cost of Benefits Offered by Concordia Plan Services

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) provides significant blessings to workers enrolled in their health, retirement, and disability plans; and

WHEREAS, The cost of the Concordia Health Plan (CHP), Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP), and the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP) offered by CPS is a substantial expense borne by congregations, schools, and other ministries of the Synod;

and

WHEREAS, The pool of workers available to enroll in the CPS benefit plans is relatively small; and

WHEREAS, A larger pool of workers contributing to the CHP , CRP, and the CDSP would provide the opportunity to spread expenses over a larger membership base and would increase the ability of CPS to negotiate with vendors; and

WHEREAS, There are other church bodies with whom we agree in biblical morality and medical ethics; and

WHEREAS, Our doctrine permits us to cooperate in externals with other church bodies in non-doctrinal matters; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2026 Synod convention amend the Synod’s

Bylaws so that CPS can serve a wider population, by working with

other church bodies to increase collective worker enrollment in order to stabilize the overall cost of the benefits offered by CPS.

South Dakota District 2026 Convention Workbook

439FINANCE