| Author |
Message |
Goldenbear
Registered user
Username: Goldenbear
Post Number: 100
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 4:49 pm: |     |
Greetings all, my wife and I are anticipating submission of our letter of resignation from the SDA church. I was wondering if anyone has done so after 25 years of denominational service. My retirement is tied up in the years of service to the church and I don't want to lose it. I discussed this with an attorney and she said that she thought since I had stopped working for the church before I left, then I should be okay. There is the concept of vesting in the plan and that shouldn't be lost. She even said it would probably be illeagal, but the church never let that stop it. (Merikay, etc) Some who have been loyal workers and left, what have you heard. The church certainly hasn't been shy about taking retirement on non-sda workers in allied industries.
Thanks |
Jwd
Registered user
Username: Jwd
Post Number: 51
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 5:55 pm: | |
Dear Goldenbear,
I was terminated from pastoral ministry in 1982. I left our membership with that last church/congregation I had pastored for four years, until AFTER I had received my pension/sustentation from the G.C. That was in 2002.
Whenever the Church clerk would send a form letter regarding a decision regarding our membership; encouraging us to join one here in Bakersfield, I always ignored the letters.
After I started receiving my checks from the G.C. the Church Clerk sent out another form letter. It had several categories for my wife and I to check. None of them applied. So I wrote a letter giving MY reasons for requesting our names be dropped (my wife signed the letter alonw with me). They acted upon that.
I have not received any question from the G.C.
Retirement Dept. or anyone else pertaining to my
sustentation.
In our hearts we knew we were no longer Adventists all these past years. We did not attend any Adventest Church. But I simply did nothing about our official membership UNTIL I was already receiving the retirement checks.
Thay may or may not help. If you would like further "conversation" regarding this, feel free to write me at JDixon1@bak.rr.com
God bless you,
Jess |
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 2311
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 9:53 pm: | |
Goldenbear, I do not believe the church can stop your sustentation. Once you're vested in the retirement program (ten years is the minimum for many SDA institutions and/or conferences), you will get what you have already earned. You won't accrue more, of course, if you quit your employment, but you can't lose what you've already earned.
There should be a financial handbook available from your particular employer that states these details. Even if they fire you, they can't take away the retirement you've already earned if you're vested.
Colleen |
Dd
Registered user
Username: Dd
Post Number: 495
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 11:09 am: | |
Dear Goldenbear and JWD,
Since I "know" both of you via private emailing...I would like to encourage both of you to get acquainted. You would enjoy each other's wonderful sense of humor and outlook. I believe God would bless you as He has blessed me through my conversations with the two of you.
I have missed being in contact this busy summer. You both, along with your sweet wives, remain in my prayers and thoughts even though I am unable to communicate consistently.
Your friend,
Denise  |
Jwd
Registered user
Username: Jwd
Post Number: 52
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 1:08 pm: | |
Dear Colleen,
If you have the time, perhaps you could "tinker" around a bit and let Goldenbear have my e-mail address, in case he would like to get acquainted as Denise suggested.
Thanks,
Jess |
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