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Wespath announces that the Central Conference Pensions (CCP) program is renamed Connectional Pension Support (CPS), reflecting the significant regionalization structural change within The United Methodist Church (UMC), and reaffirming the program’s connectional, worldwide mission. The program helps provide a steady source of retirement income for about 3,700 clergy and surviving spouses and surviving children in the regional conferences outside the U.S.—across Africa, the Philippines and Europe.
The name change follows the worldwide ratification of constitutional amendments approved in May 2024 by the United Methodist Church General Conference and certified by the Council of Bishops in November 2025. Under the newly ratified structure, the Church’s central conferences and the United States are now collectively referred to as ‘regional conferences,’ each with equal standing and certain legislative authorities within the denomination.
“The transition to Connectional Pension Support reflects the evolving structure of The United Methodist Church while honoring the deep connectional roots that have always defined this program,” said Wespath’s Andy Hendren, general secretary. “While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: supporting long-term retirement security for United Methodist clergy and their families around the world.”
A Program Built Through Global Connection
The Connectional Pension Support program traces its origins to General Conference 2000, when UMC leaders created a task force of bishops and general secretaries to address the lack of retirement security for clergy in many regional conferences. In 2004, The Book of Discipline was amended to authorize the Central Conference Pension Initiative (CCPI) under the auspices of Wespath, launching a denomination-wide fundraising effort to support pension development outside the U.S.
Following the successful completion of a $25 million fundraising goal in 2013, the program was renamed Central Conference Pensions, marking a shift from fundraising to long-term pension development and support.
What began as a small task force of eight leaders has grown into a global United Methodist network supporting 12 pension plans across 19 episcopal areas within seven regional conferences, many of which historically offered little to no pension assistance for retired clergy and their surviving family members.
Today, Wespath continues to provide support and consultation while working alongside regional conference leaders to strengthen pension sustainability. While financial support for these pension plans is stable and secure, funding and administration varies by plan. The program will continue to focus on enhancing plan long-term sustainability.
“For more than two decades, this program has demonstrated what is possible when United Methodists come together across borders in shared mission,” said Bill Kavanaugh, Wespath’s chief operating officer. “Connectional Pension Support affirms that legacy while looking ahead with clarity, unity and hope.”
In the next few months, Wespath will update the CPS webpage, publications and other communications to reflect the program name change.
This content was originally published by Wespath; republished with permission by ResourceUMC on May 11, 2026.