Portico Benefit Services provides ministers and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program with no-cost access to annual tax guides. For ministers, Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide by Richard R. Hammar gives special attention to tax-related topics most relevant to ministers.
For congregations, Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches by Richard R. Hammar helps congregations understand their federal tax-reporting requirements.
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Deep breaths, time with loved ones, a good night’s sleep … what are your best practices for keeping yourself centered and healthy?
If you’re looking to expand your toolbox, and you have ELCA-Primary health benefits, check out Learn to Live’s new course focusing on building resilience. Take the initial assessment and then enroll in the self-guided program at no out-of-pocket cost to you: learntolive.com.
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The Richard R. Hammar Clergy Tax Guide and the Federal Reporting Guide for Churches are both available on myPortico at no cost to you.
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Increase your confidence and peace of mind by learning more about developing a withdrawal strategy, utilize Social Security, plan for health care costs, and more. Watch the recordings of the Retirement Readiness workshops whenever it works for you. Learn more, or sign up to participate, on myPortico.
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It’s brave and smart to seek help if you’re living with stress, depression, anxiety, or mental health struggles – but accessing an in-person counselor isn’t always easy or even possible.
That’s one reason the ELCA-Primary health plan EAP benefit has expanded to include Talkspace, digital confidential online counseling with licensed therapists via text, video, or audio. Read more on myPortico.
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Boost your emotional health this fall by joining live webinar led by Learn to Live’s clinical team. 2022 September’s sessions – which run 15- or 30-minutes – focus on Time Management; Staying Refreshed and Preventing Burnout; and Avoiding Negative Thinking Traps. Click here to learn more about the webinars, and use the code PORTICO to register.
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Andrea Arey, our Regional Representative from Portico, provides us with updates on 2023 Portico plans. Questions? She can be reached at AArey@porticobenefits.org or 949-338-9573.
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We share a greeting from Portico to the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program that may allow individuals to get the remainder of their federal student loans discharged. The waiver period, during which more people and loans qualify for PSLF, is currently scheduled to end Oct. 31, 2022, so don’t wait to act.
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New treasurers or congregation members responsible for paying their church’s monthly Portico bill should check out three new videos available on EmployerLink to illuminate our billing process. Look for these updated videos in the “What to Do” tab on the “How to Work With Us” page.
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Read the 2022 Portico synod assembly report as a PDF or in this post, and watch the report video from Andrea Arey, Regional Representative for Regions 1 and 2.
“As the benefits ministry of the ELCA, Portico cares for those who serve. We walk with you in times of joy and in times of challenge.”
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Spring allergies? Worn out by Lent? Portico members with ELCA Primary health coverage have 24/7 access to text-based primary care from board certified physicians through the 98point6 app at no out-of-pocket cost, thanks to recent action by Congress. Find out more on myPortico (and take care of yourself!)
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In this episode of Portico’s Being Here podcast, Pastor Melissa Pohlman and Bishop Kevin Strickland reflect on what's meaningful about our time-honored traditions and how to reconcile our new practices with what we've left behind. They'll discuss ways to approach modern challenges with creativity and innovate in our work. Listen here.
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News headlines have been particularly dire this spring, and the investment markets have responded with nerve-rattling volatility. A newly-updated page on myPortico gives context for the short- and long-term effects. And a new blog post by Portico Chief Investment Officer David Quello addresses how Portico is responding to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
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Many congregations have new council members starting at this time of year, so make sure your organization’s contacts are up to date in Portico’s EmployerLink. Portico sends important notifications to those in your organization that are registered on the site.
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Retirement may feel like (or even be) a long way off. Having a plan for retirement can increase confidence and peace of mind about the future. For those that missed the live Retirement Readiness Series workshops hosted by Fidelity, access to condensed video presentations is available here on myPortico.
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Because congregations and clergy have unique reporting requirements, Portico offers complimentary access to two annually updated guides: Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches PDF and Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide PDF.
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Review this checklist from Portico for important January tasks to keep your 2022 Portico benefits program running smoothly. It includes reminders on payroll updates and links to the complimentary Hammar tax guides for clergy. Employers may sign in to EmployerLink to view the checklist, and individuals can access the Hammar tax guide for clergy at MyPortico.
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Being Here, a podcast through Portico that explores real world issues and topics important to professionals in the faith community, has added three new episodes.
Join host the Rev. Melissa Pohlman, as she welcomes three new guests to share their experiences and points of view on navigating retirement; Christian conversations about racial justice; and creative approaches to innovative ministry. Listen here.
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Please be advised that the address for the Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, doing business as Portico Benefit Services, changed 9/1/5/2021, to 7700 France Ave. S., Ste. 350, Minneapolis, MN 55435-2802. Phone, fax, and emails are not changing.
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