M  PENSIONS, HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE

M1  Pensions for the Clergy and Licensed Lay Workers

(a)   The Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme

The Scheme for stipendiary clergy and licensed lay workers became Contributory with effect with effect from January 1998.  Pension rights earned by stipendiary service up to December 1997 are preserved, and the payments secured from the funds of the Church Commissioners.

(b)  Pension Contributions

            Contributions are payable in respect of all stipendiary service.  Although the Diocesan Board of Finance is legally responsible for paying contributions over to the Church of England Pensions Board, the duty of providing pension contributions for each stipendiary minister lies with the Chaplaincy Council.

• The rate of contribution required for each year is related to the Church of England National Minimum Stipend.  The figure will be determined centrally each year and the information passed to stipendiary chaplains, and others entitled to pension provision, and their chaplaincy treasurers.
• The Diocese secured a gradual phasing-in of these contributions over a period of five years.  The full payment is payable from January 2002.
• The Finance Officer will supply details, on a quarterly basis, of the system for the collection of contributions from chaplaincy councils.

(c)            Pensions for Diocesan Officers

            The Diocesan Board of Finance is responsible for the pension contributions of those in its employment, and has resolved to pay any additional contributions required in respect of chaplains who also hold a diocesan appointment, including the Dean and archdeacons.

M2  St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy

(a)       St Luke's provides full and free hospital treatment for clergy, active and retired, stipendiary and non-stipendiary, their wives and dependant children; also for full-time lay workers licensed by the Bishop, ordinands who have been sponsored by the Bishop, and diocesan Secretaries.  There is a large panel of consultants available from major hospitals who give their time and professional services free.

(b)            Children under 12 are treated by consultants in larger hospitals with specialised children's units, but the arrangements are made through St Luke's.

(c)       To gain admission, the patient's doctor should write to —

The Medical Officer

St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy

14 Fitzroy Square

London W1P 6AH

Telephone  +44 0207 388 4954

            and the medical secretary will arrange an appointment with an appropriate consultant.

(d)       In cases of extreme emergency, chaplains can telephone the Diocesan Office and enquiries will be made of St Luke's to try to arrange an appointment.  In all cases a doctor's letter must accompany the patient, and should preferably be delivered beforehand.

(e)            Although all treatment and hospitalisation is entirely free to the patient, the cost of providing such facilities is enormous.  In order to maintain and continue its work, St Luke's needs the generous financial support of the Church. The Bishop hopes that every chaplaincy will make an annual donation to St Luke's; this may be done directly or through the Finance Officer.

(f)        Those treated at St Luke's can make claims on private health insurance schemes (our 'Exeter' Scheme, BUPA, and others); any such benefits ought naturally to be passed on as a donation to St Luke's.

M3  Private Health Cover

(a)       Each stipendiary chaplain and licensed lay worker, together with his or her spouse and dependent children, must be adequately covered by medical insurance at the expense of the chaplaincy church council.

(b)       The Diocese has an arrangement with —

The Exeter Friendly Society

Beech Hill House, Walnut Gardens,

Exeter, EX4 4DG.

Telephone +44 (0)1392 477220. Fax +44 (0)1392 477236. 

            A discount is available if arrangements are made through the Diocesan Office from where full details of the Exeter Overseas Plan can be obtained.

(c)       It is essential that the level of benefit requested covers the full costs of treatment, including hospital treatment, in the country concerned, and that all emergencies are provided for including repatriation where necessary.

(d)       In non-emergency cases St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy is an alternative.

(e)              In some countries payments are compulsory to a state health scheme.

M4  National Insurance Contributions

(a)       To preserve their entitlement to a state pension in UK, chaplains who have already been contributors to UK National Insurance need to maintain Class III National Insurance contributions.

(b)       Class III contributions ensure pension rights but not payment of sickness benefit in UK.  Entitlement to sickness benefit, in the event of inability to work on returning to UK, can be maintained by paying Class II contributions.

(c)       The payment of Class II contributions is strongly recommended, whether or not there is reciprocal agreement with the particular country.

(d)       Those accepting appointments in the Diocese are strongly urged to seek advice and information from —

NI Contributions Office, International Services,

Room BP1302, Longbenton,

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1YX

(Telephone from overseas: 44 191 2254811)

(e)       A booklet Social Security Abroad ref. NI 38 is provided to all new chaplains, and completion of the accompanying form CF83 is advised before leaving the UK.  There is helpful information on the Inland Revenue web site, www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

M5  Accident Insurance

           The Diocesan Office arranges accident insurance that covers all licensed ministers serving in the Diocese, both the clergy and lay workers.