Insurance
One of the ways BOBS cares for RCA pastors is through medical, life, and long-term disability insurance. In fact, the RCA’s Book of Church Order requires a minister’s employer (whether a church or another organization, in the case of a specialized minister) to provide these benefits to the minister. When a church extends a call to a pastor, the church promises to provide all three kinds of insurance, in addition to contributions to a retirement plan.
Ordained and commissioned pastors actively serving at least 17.5 hours per week are provided with employer-paid group life and long-term disability insurance benefits through the Board of Benefits Services. Ministers who work at least 20 hours per week may enroll in medical insurance through the Reformed Benefits Association (RBA).
Medical insurance
Group medical insurance is available through the Reformed Benefits Association (RBA). The RBA is a nonprofit corporation established by the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in North America. The RBA offers a variety of group medical insurance plans as well as group life insurance, vision, dental and additional supplementary plans.
The Book of Church Order requires employers to provide insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum standards set by BOBS.
Mental health benefits
Through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), BOBS makes free counseling available to active and retired RCA ministers, denominational staff, missionaries, and their households. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services provides three free confidential Christian counseling sessions per issue either in person or online.
Long-term disability insurance
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance covers up to two-thirds of your income if you become injured or sick and cannot work for an extended period of time. You may use it toward any expenses you have such as mortgage, utilities, student loans, or credit card debt.
Basic life insurance
Life insurance offers you peace of mind, so you know your loved ones are financially protected against a sudden loss of income when you pass away. At a minimum, pastors receive basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, paid by the employer. (Note that employer-paid life insurance coverage over $50,000 is a taxable benefit to you, the employee.)
View the basic life and AD&D insurance plan highlights
View the basic life insurance policy
If you’re enrolled in group life and AD&D insurance, you should designate your beneficiaries. Complete a Beneficiary Designation Form and return it to BOBS.
Voluntary life insurance
Ordained and commissioned pastors enrolled in group life insurance may also enroll in employee-paid voluntary life, spouse life, and child life insurance benefits. You may enroll in voluntary life insurance only when you are first eligible for benefits or during an annual open enrollment period. Voluntary life insurance rates are determined by age and coverage amount.
Requests to decrease or terminate voluntary life insurance can be made mid-year by submitting a completed voluntary life change form to BOBS. A decrease in coverage will be effective the first day of the next month following the request. A termination will be effective the last day of the month following the request.
You are responsible for the cost of any premiums associated with voluntary life insurance. To estimate the cost of the premium, use this premium calculator.
View the voluntary group AD&D insurance highlights.
View the voluntary life insurance policy.
Make changes to your voluntary life insurance policy.
Long-term care insurance
BOBS no longer administers long-term care (LTC) insurance. If you have a question about your LTC policy, contact Unum directly at 866-679-3054.
What happens to my LTD and life insurance if I am no longer working?
If you are no longer working, you cannot remain insured through BOBS. Your long-term disability (LTD) insurance will terminate upon your retirement date. You may continue your life insurance directly with Unum by converting your insurance (changing your group term life to an individual whole life policy) or porting it (changing from the Board of Benefits Services’ group term life to Unum’s group term life). This must be done within 31 days of your termination date.
One thing to keep in mind: your monthly premium will increase. If you are converting your insurance, your new premium will be based upon the amount of your insurance policy and Unum’s rate for your age. If you are porting your insurance, your new premium will be based upon the amount of your insurance policy and Unum’s group rate.
For more information, contact BOBS at retirement@rca.org.
Have a question?
We are here to help!
Board of Benefits Services
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1606
New York, NY 10115
retirement@rca.org
866-221-5480