The office of Retirement & Insurance Services is here to help provide an integrated ministry of retirement, insurance, financial education/assistance, and tax matters to the local church and individual Christian.

We believe efficient management of church resources enhances opportunities for more ministry-related funds. Retirement & Insurance Services encourage ministers and churches to utilize the services of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Retirement & Insurance Services is able to assist churches and individual’s structure compensation plans to take advantage of the tax savings benefits offered by the Internal Revenue Service. In turn, churches are better able to provide for the financial needs of their church staff plus be a better witness in their community.

For more information on any of these topics please contact the office Gary Horton, Director of Retirement & Insurance Services at: 803.765.0030 or 800.723.7242. Gary is available to lead conferences for associations and church leadership.

You will find that each of these presentations can be viewed in short segments as your time allows. Whether you choose to view the presentations at work or home, I hope these resources will help provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions.

• The Church Retirement Plan
• The Mission Church Assistance Fund (for churches with budgets under $75,000) (Go to online education)
• Planning Financial Support (information on ministerial tax issues and structuring staff salary packages)
• Nearing Retirement Age - What are my options?

• Retirement planning for church staff
• Insurance protection products
• Tax Issues unique to churches
• Structuring of Salary and Benefit Packages for employees
• Ministers Tax Guide for 2008 Returns
• Mission Diginity
• 2008 SBC Compensation Study

• Social Security Benefit Estimate Tool

   

Websites 

Baptist Foundation of South Carolina 
Crown Financial Ministries
Generous Giving
Georgia Baptist Convention Financial Services
GuideStone
I-9 Form
IRS
LifeWay Envelope Service
Maximum Generosity
Salary Reduction Agreement
Social Security
SC State New Hire
403 (B) Reg Information  
Immigration Law

E-Mail Addresses:

Gary Horton:                garyhorton@scbaptist.org
Cheryl McCullough:      cherylmccullough@scbaptist.org

Retirement Planning Options

• Plans for church employees
• Plans for self-employed ministers
• Deferred Compensation Plans
   

 Tax and Compensation Services

• Ministers Tax Guide
• Planning Financial Support Workbook
• SBC Church Compensation Study
• Federal Reporting Requirement for Churches
• Ministers Tax Questions and Answers
• Financial Checklist for Ministers
• Minister's Housing Allowance
   

Insurance Coverage Options

• Medical
• Dental
• Term Life
• Accident
• Disability
• HSA-eligible High Deductible Health Plans
• HRA consulting
   

Financial Education Services

• Web-based presentations
• Investment seminars and workshops
• Planning resources, tools and calculators
   

Financial Assistance Services

• No-cost protection benefits for eligible participants
• Matching retirement contributions for eligible participants
• $3,000 in retirement plan contributions for ministers serving in small churches^*
• Retirement income assistance for eligible retired ministers and/or their widows