Complete 2012 Journal - 2012 NC Conference Journal

Section iV: Legislation and Reports 263
surer, he or she shall receive the amount he or she has paid into the Fund, plus interest
determined in the manner described in Article IX each year he or she was participating
in the Fund. Amounts in the members account in excess of the amount determined
under the preceding sentence shall be forfeited and reallocated as dividends for the year
of forfeiture pursuant to Article VII.
Each member whose membership is terminated in the Fund in any way will provide
the Conference Treasurer with a statement indicating that he or she has received the
funds for which he or she is eligible, and that he or she is no longer a member of the
Fund. Any minister leaving the North Carolina Conference to join another denomination
other than The United Methodist Church will be required to withdraw from the
Fund and payment will be made to the minister according to the formula set forth in the
first paragraph of this Article XVII.
XVIII. Reinstatement - A member who has withdrawn from the Fund may not be reinstated,
but is required to begin anew as though he or she were a new member. A minister
shall not be permitted to rejoin the Fund more than two (2) times during his or her ministerial
career.
XIX. Hearing Committee
A. The Committee - A Hearing Committee consisting of the Board of Pensions
Executive Committee, Conference Treasurer, Director of Ministerial Relations,
Conference Controller, and the Conference Insurance Group Administrator shall
have authority to act on behalf of the Board of Pensions between Annual Conference
sessions concerning matters that relate to, but are not specifically covered by,
this constitution of the Ministers’ Transition Fund. The Plan Administrator for the
Fund for other plan administrative matters and matters delegated by the Hearing
Committee shall be the Conference Insurance Group Administrator. Determinations
by the Hearing Committee, the Board of Pensions or the Plan Administrator
shall be conclusive and binding on all persons and shall be afforded the maximum
deference permitted by law.
B. Claims Procedure - If a claim is wholly or partially denied, the Hearing Committee
shall furnish the member or beneficiary with written notice of the denial within sixty
(60) days of the date the original claim was filed. This notice of denial shall provide:
1. The specific reason or reasons for denial;
2. Provide specific reference to pertinent plan provisions on which denial is based;
3. A description of any additional information needed to perfect the claim and
an explanation of why such information is necessary; and
4. An explanation of the plan’s claims procedure.
The member or beneficiary shall have sixty (60) days from receipt of denial notice
in which to make written application for review by the Hearing Committee. The
Hearing Committee shall issue a decision on such review within sixty (60) days
after receipt of an application for review as provided in the preceding sentence.
Such decision on review shall be made in writing and shall include specific reasons
for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant.
All decisions and denials of claims by the Hearing Committee shall be afforded the
maximum deference permitted by law.
XX. New Rules and Constitutional Provisions - The rules and guidelines of this constitution
supersede all previous Conference legislation regulating this Fund. The Annual Conference,
at any time or from time to time, may amend any or all of the provisions of this