4.3.3. Severance and Involuntary Termination of Bishop (and Select Executive Staff) Policy

Severance and Involuntary Termination of Bishop (and Select Executive Staff) Policy

Purpose
These severance benefits are to be understood as providing support during the transition time prior to another call or employment. Severance benefits are not extended beyond such time when the individual begins work under call or finds other employment. Responsibility for notification of a call or other employment rests with the severance benefits recipient.

Eligible Persons
The persons eligible for these benefits are bishops and executive staff members of the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who are either:

• Elected bishop of a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or
• Selected as synod executive staff

and whose office or employment by the synod was involuntarily terminated due to action of the synod by non-election of the incumbent synodical bishop, budget restraints, change of position functions, or resignation upon request of a newly elected bishop.

Disability is not covered under these provisions since disability is covered under the provisions of the Disability Benefits Plan of the Board of Pensions.

Persons planning retirement and, therefore, voluntarily declining election or appointment, are not eligible for these Severance benefits.

Eligible persons will be hereinafter referred to as severance benefits recipients.

Effective Date
The date this severance benefits policy shall be effective is the date of adoption by a synod.

Benefits
The severance benefits shall:

• Be effective for the severance benefits recipient who has served at least one full term as bishop or, normally, in the case of other executive synodical staff, who has served a term concurrent with the bishop’s term of service, the requirement of one full term being waived in the event of the dissolution, merger, or consolidation of the synod.
• Begin upon vacating the synodical office or position and following the period covered by unused vacation time earned during the twelve months prior to termination.
• Be paid on the benefit recipients’ regular pay periods.
• Be three months of benefits.

Amount of Benefits

Benefits recipients will receive:

• Current monthly compensation (salary, housing, and FICA reimbursement, if applicable).
• Participation in the ELCA Board of Pensions Plans—pensions at the designated rate, Survivor Benefits Plan, Major Medical/Dental Benefits Plan, and Disability Benefits Plan for the months of severance benefits.

Following the expiration of the severance benefits, benefits recipients may retain participation in their Survivor Benefits Plan, Major Medical and Dental plan, and Disability Plan at their own expense according to the provisions of the applicable plans. Solely for the purpose of determining rights to continue benefits under those plans, the benefits recipient’s termination of call/employment will be deemed to occur on the date severance benefits cease.

Disposition
In case of a difference of opinion in interpretation of this Severance Benefits Policy, the Synod Council will make the final disposition.