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Eligibility
In order to be eligible to participate in the WELS Pension Plan, a worker must be a called or synodically paid lay worker in the WELS.
Definition of Called Worker
A called worker is a person who has received and accepted a formal charge from the synod or an eligible sponsoring organization and meets the following criteria:
- Is a pastor, teacher, called professor, missionary, synodically certified staff minister, or provisionally certified staff minister; and
- Is serving at least 20 hours or more per week; and
- Is listed as a called worker in the yearbook of the WELS
Definition of Lay Worker
A lay worker is a person who meets the following criteria:
- Is not a called worker;
- Is listed as an employee who qualifies as a lay worker on the payroll records of WELS, Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Luther Preparatory School, or Michigan Lutheran Seminary; and
- Is not an independent contractor, temporary employee, seasonal employee, student intern, or vicar
Enrollment
If a worker meets the above eligibility rules, their enrollment in the WELS Pension Plan is mandatory upon the worker's completion of an hour of service as a called worker or lay worker. Mandatory participation for all eligible called workers was established by the synod in convention in 1966, and mandatory participation for all eligible lay workers was established by the synod in convention in 1981.
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