Annuity Payout Rates—Now Generally Updated Monthly

Wespath publishes information online to help participants with retirement decisions. Since July 2011, we have generally updated the annuity payout rates twice annually—in September and February. These rates enable participants to estimate their annuity payments and compare them with commercially-available insurance products.

However, Wespath may reset the payout rate monthly if conditions (such as a material increase or decrease in market interest rates) warrant, and Wespath intends to review the rate more frequently. The potential for more frequent rate updates, and the addition of the Extended Term Fixed Income Fund to LifeStage Investment Management in May 2015, will help participants prepare for retirement by reducing fluctuations in expected initial monthly benefit payments during times of market volatility.

The Wespath website will be updated when rates change, so participants and their financial advisers can estimate expected benefit payments as participants approach retirement. Sample rates indicate what the payout rate would be for a single or married participant who received the normal form of benefit at age 62, 65, 70 or 72. Sample rates have also been calculated with historical data to help participants compare today’s interest rate environment to past years (since February 2006) when making decisions about annuitization.

New Center for Health Well-being Resources

The Center for Health is happy to introduce the prediabetes toolkit—the first in our series of toolkits for you to share with your conferences and congregations to support personal well-being. Did you know prediabetes can be easily detected and fully reversed? This toolkit contains FAQs, diabetes prevention resources, and tips for reversing prediabetes.

We’d also like to direct your attention to the latest in our series of Wellness in Action videos, focusing on the emotional well-being of clergy. See how the North Alabama and Indiana Annual Conferences make emotional well-being a priority.

These items are not being sent directly to participants either electronically or via regular mail, so please share them as desired—e.g., post the documents or the video link on your conference website, share with your conference communications staff, and/or include them with conference or district e-newsletters.

Contact the Center for Health Wellness Team with questions or comments.

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