#1. Advising of Changes
When there is a change of employment for your members such as:
- hire
- termination
- leaves
- sick leave more than 10 days
- unpaid leave
- sabbaticals where salary changes occur
please contact GSI as to next steps of what will be required related to the member’s pension and benefits.
Special Situations
Please let us know if there is a change in salary. A salary calculation form is required to be completed and emailed to GSI. For employees whose salary fluctuates each month, an email to invoices@elcicgsi.ca allows us to issue a correct invoice.
When a member terminates, it is important to note that benefits do not continue into severance or in lieu of notice period. Pension is paid on any notice period but not on any severance.
#2. Friendly Reminders
Reviewing Invoice
Please review your invoice each month to ensure it is accurate. Balancing the invoice to your accounting records on a regular basis will help catch issues early and make adjustments easier.
Employer Receipts and Taxable Benefit Statements
GSI will be emailing Employer Receipts and Taxable Benefit statements as a mid-year check for all employers towards the end of July. Please take a moment to review both statements, and if you spot any discrepancies, please call or email GSI.
Continuing Education Plan and the Employer
The Continuing Education Plan (CEP) is a national program intended to encourage and support lifelong learning among rostered and non rostered employees. CEP assists employees in achieving their goals for ministry and mission by providing resources for education and training.
Employers should be reminding their pastors and other participating employees that they should be further updating their present knowledge and skills as well as acquiring new knowledge. Because this is a non-taxable benefit, the education must be something that aids the employee in their work.
Under the ELCIC Compensation Guidelines, time required to undertake professional development shall be provided with pay up to two weeks annually and can be accumulated to a maximum of six weeks.
If time is not used for professional development, it cannot be paid out in lieu of time taken.
The Board is Seeking New Directors!
Having a full board with diverse thoughts and ideas makes for the best decisions! Several terms are ending, so we are looking for new Board Directors. Do you know someone who might be interested?
Skills of Special Interest
We are looking for potential directors who have skills relevant to GSI:
- benefits plans
- pension plans
- governance
- the ELCIC
- communications
Representation Matters
GSI Directors (photo, right) are members of ELCIC congregations. They live across the country and bring knowledge about their synods and their local contexts in addition to their areas of special expertise.
Having a mix of Plan Members (rostered and non-rostered), treasurers and members of congregations, serving on the Board is a real strength of the ELCIC Group Pension and Benefits Plans. The Board is responsible for making difficult decisions that will keep the Plans sustainable while keeping in mind the best interests of the rostered leaders and non-rostered employees in the ELCIC.
Learn More
You may read more about what is required of Board Directors and find the application form on the GSI website.
We welcome your questions & feedback!
please write to us: admin@elcicgsi.ca
or call toll free: 1-877-352-4247 (in Winnipeg 204-984-9181)
information and resources can also be found on the GSI website