Eligibility

The church determines the eligibility for employers to participate in the Benefit Plan. The default eligibility to participate in the Benefit Plan is any employee working 25 hours per week or more. Churches can choose to change this eligibility on their Benefit Plan Employer Agreement (Form 120). The church also determines the waiting period for employees to begin their coverage in the Benefit Plan. The default waiting period for coverage to begin is the 1st of the month following their eligible full-time hire date. Churches can choose to change this waiting period on their Benefit Plan Employer Agreement.

Payment Methods

While quarterly premium payments must be sent to FCMM by the church, churches can determine how each benefit will be paid on their Benefit Plan Employer Agreement. Groups or classes of employees can also have different payment methods.

Disability Insurance (STD and/or LTD) Payment Methods – payment methods can vary by employee class

• Staff Benefit (employer paid) – premium is paid by the church and benefit will be taxable if employee becomes disabled.
• Conventional Payroll Deduction (employee paid) – premium is paid by the employee through an after-tax payroll deduction and benefit will not be taxable if employee becomes disabled.
• Tax Choice Payroll Deduction (employer paid) – premium is paid when the church adds an earning amount equivalent to the disability premium amount. Amount is then deducted as an after-tax payroll deduction. The benefit will not be taxable if employee becomes disabled.

Life/AD&D Insurance Payment Methods – payment methods must be the same for both employee classes

• Staff Benefit (employer paid) – premium is paid by the church.
• Payroll Deduction (employee paid) – premium is paid by the employee through an after-tax payroll deduction.

Cost

See the rates table below for cost.

Premium rates vary by Benefit Plan Option (Option 1: Standard Plan, and Option 2: Plus Plan). FCMM bills churches quarterly using the rates listed. Salary information affects an employee’s disability premium, so anytime there is an updated salary, complete and submit a new Benefit Plan Salary Worksheet (Form 103).

Plan Basics

Getting Started