Will we ever have to add benefit funding back to the Conference budget?

The pre-1982 pension and retiree health plans have met funding goals based on certain assumptions in future benefit increases and market investment performance.  Great variations in actual benefit changes or market performance from these assumptions could mean future annual conferences may need to revisit these funding plans.  As long as we offer benefits, we cannot say with absolute certainty that no one will ever have to ask for funding for these again in the future.  It is the goal of the funding plans that they be self-sustaining and that they provide meaningful and sustainable benefits for future claimants, but no one can ever say “never” with absolute certainty as long as benefits are offered.