UUA Church Staff Finances
Guided by Unitarian Universalist values,
we equip congregations for excellence as employers
and their staff for financial competence and well-being. |
Retirement and Insurance Plans
Compensation and Staffing Guidance
Aid Funds |
Compensation & Staffing News |
Editor's Note
Dear Readers,
As you'll read below, we're saying goodbye to two cherished team members this month. We're making some adjustments in order to ensure that the programs and services you rely on from our team continue smoothly. More on this front in early 2026.
Also in this issue:
- Multisite and Shared Staff Learning Community
- Comp and Payroll Year-End Reminders
- Open Enrollment through December 12 (including Life and LTD!)
- Safety Tips for the Holidays Season
- Payroll Provider Survey
- UUA Winter Break and a Blessing
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Jan Gartner, Associate Director, Church Staff Finances |
A Special Message From Our Director |
For more than 17 years, I've had the pleasure of serving as the Director of UUA Church Staff Finances. I'm retiring on December 19 from the best staff team at the UUA! Serving as CSF Director has been the greatest honor of my 29 years of ministry. Our whole team understands that they are providing ministry to you and to all of those we serve.
Much has changed over the years... |
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In my time as Director, our team has grown in size, scope, knowledge, and visibility. Our Compensation Program provides a wealth of information to congregations regarding faithful compensation, and the Comp Team now offers a broad range of resources to assist congregations as employers. The UU Organizations Retirement Plan ensures the promise of retirement benefits to more than 4,400 plan participants; our Retirement Team has continually improved both their internal processes and their service to participants as they keep up with regulatory changes. The UUA Health Plan is outstanding, and so are the dental, life, and disability insurance plans we offer. The Insurance Team is now supporting property and casualty insurance matters, as well.
In addition to providing benefit plans to thousands of congregational staff, over these years, millions of dollars have been distributed to ministers (active and retired, including surviving loved ones) as well as to congregational staff who face financial emergencies.
As I move into retirement, I know the staff team I've worked with will continue to provide outstanding service. I wish you and yours only the best!
On the path, together, |
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From Our Team
Richard, you've gifted every one of us with your wisdom, encouragement, and care.
Thank you for everything and enjoy your retirement! |
Another Change On Our Team
We're delighted to share that Compensation and Benefits Specialist Sean Griffin is becoming the UUA's new Ethics and Safety Systems Manager. In this role, Sean will oversee the
coordination and functioning of the UUA’s various systems for ethics, safety,
and accountability of religious professionals, lay leaders, and congregations.
Sean has been an incredible asset to Church Staff Finances and beyond since joining the UUA in early 2022. He has empowered countless congregational leaders through conversations
about compensation matters, addressed inquiries about business operations, and
blessed us with his superb tech skills. His new team is most fortunate to have him! Sean has begun training for the Ethics and Safety position and will move into this work full-time in January.
All the best, Sean! We will miss you in Church Staff Finances. Glad you aren't going far. |
Multisite and Shared Staff Learning Community
Some religious professionals are serving two or more communities or congregations – either through an intentional partnership or by putting together part-time positions on their own. Congregational Life staff want to gather staff serving in more than one UU context to learn together about what's working, challenges, and more. Does this apply to anyone on your staff? Be sure to pass along the opportunity!
In addition to staff, lay leaders from congregations supporting intentionally "yoked" ministries are welcome. Please designate one person from your team.
Unsure if this applies to you? Fill out the form so we can see what you're up to. Congregational Life staff hope to schedule a first meeting in January 2026. |
Year-End Reminders
State Law Changes for 2026
We do our best to follow changes to federal payroll laws. Although we can't track state and local laws, we can give you a few things to check for:
- Minimum wage (A number of states are increasing their minimum wage on 01/01/26.)
- Exempt salary threshold (The current federal threshold is $684/week.)
- Paid Family Leave (Some state programs are changing or starting in 2026.)
- Pay transparency laws (requiring employers to provide salary ranges to job candidates)
- Salary history bans (outlawing questions about pay history)
Overtime Pay
The OBBB Act included a deduction on qualified overtime. There are nuances and limitations, and we are not experts. Staff members who received overtime pay in 2025 should make sure they understand what can and cannot be deducted. Note that some states are following the lead of the federal law while others are keeping taxes on overtime in place.
Ministerial Housing Allowance
Do you designate your minister's housing allowance by the calendar year? Remember that it must be formally designated by the congregation's leadership before any expenses can be applied to it. Designating a 2026 housing allowance before the end of 2025 ensures that your minister(s) can take full advantage of it in the new calendar year. |
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment Runs Through December 12
Please remind your employees to complete any enrollments and changes for 2026 no later than December 12.
Our Plans
During Open Enrollment, employees may enroll in or make changes to:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance*
- Long-Term Disability (LTD)*
- Hospital and Accident Indemnity Plans
* Are all supervisors and employees aware of this year's special opportunity to enroll in Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability with no medical underwriting required? Eligible employees (scheduled to work at least 750 hours/year) sometimes decline these insurances upon hire or mistakenly are not told of their availability. This is your one-time chance to get all eligible staff enrolled!
Forms
Employees, be sure to submit your forms by December 12.
Not Yet Offering UUA Insurance?
If your congregation is considering offering any UUA Insurance Plan in 2026, you may begin by submitting an Employer Subscription Agreement and having employees complete enrollment forms. Our Insurance Team is happy to help with any questions: InsurancePlans@uua.org. |
Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
Hugh Dennis, Director of Insurance Plans, offers the following advice to help congregations be mindful during this time of year, as bad actors often capitalize on goodwill to run holiday fraud schemes.
Theft and Inventory Risk
With many nonprofits storing large quantities of donated goods, from food and toy drives to increased cash contributions, holiday thieves increasingly target organizations with high-value inventory.
Cyber scams
As more donation are made online or though mobile apps, nonprofits can be targeted by fraud.
Common schemes include fake refund requests, gift card schemes, or fraudulent vendor invoices. Ensure staff and volunteers are trained to recognize scams, verify unusual financial requests, and confirm vendor information using trusted contact channels.
Please be diligent and careful as you safeguard your facilities and protect the generosity of our community this season. |
Payroll Provider Survey
Thanks to the efforts of our Retirement Team, Church Staff Finances is becoming better positioned to understand the payroll landscape across our UU community. We want to help ensure that all UU organizations that have employees have access to quality payroll services that understand the unique needs of religious organizations – especially proper handling of clergy compensation – at fair and competitive prices.
If your organization uses a payroll provider and you have not already responded, we encourage you to complete this survey by December 15th. Feel free to pass along the link to the appropriate person at your organization.
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GENERAL CHURCH STAFF FINANCES INFO |
Communicating Leader/Employee Changes
New staff members or adjusted salaries? Change in lay leader roles? Please let us know!
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Blessings for the Season
The UUA will close at 2:00 on Friday, December 19, for the Winter Break. We're reopening on Monday, January 5, 2026. Members of our team will check throughout the break for time-sensitive messages.
May you experience rest, joy, and a bit of magic this season.
Faithfully,
Richard, Mary, Hugh, Ashley, Mariyah, Gloria, Jackie, Anna, Jan, and Sean |
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UUA Church Staff Finances provides general information to
help equip and empower congregational leaders in their decision-making.
We are not legal or tax professionals and we do not track state law. Congregations are solely responsible for their legal obligations. We encourage you to consult your own legal and tax advisors for specific guidance. |
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