Wespath Benefits and Investments: Investing in a Sustainable Future

Wespath Benefits and Investments is committed to investing in a sustainable future for its members. They have a dedicated team that works to ensure their investments align with the values of the organization and its members.

Their investment approach is guided by a set of core values, including a focus on long-term results and a commitment to responsible investing. This approach has led to significant returns for their members.

One way Wespath achieves its investment goals is by investing in a diverse portfolio of assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. This diversification helps to minimize risk and maximize returns.

Wespath's investment team is comprised of experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their work.

For your interest: Member of Aiib

Wespath Benefits and Investments offers a range of financial services to its clients.

Their financial services include managing investments and providing benefit plans.

Wespath Benefits and Investments has expertise in managing investments, which is a key aspect of their financial services.

They provide benefit plans, including those for retirement, which can help individuals plan for their financial future.

Wespath Benefits and Investments has an external link for more information on their financial services, which can be found on their website.

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We serve over 100,000 active and retired clergy and lay employees through our retirement, health and well-being, disability and death benefit plans.

One of the ways we support our retired clergy and families is by providing comprehensive benefits, including nearly 3,700 retired clergy and families in the Central Conferences.

Our investment solutions are not just for individuals, we also provide comprehensive investment solutions for over 150 faith-based institutional investors, such as Methodist foundations, endowments and children’s homes.

These institutional investors trust us to manage their investments, giving them peace of mind and the ability to focus on their mission.

Discover more: Institutional Investor Advisory Services

Wespath offers programs and services that promote well-being among individuals and congregations. These programs can be sponsored by annual conferences and other UMC-affiliated organizations for their clergy and lay employees.

Annual conferences and other UMC-affiliated organizations can sponsor these programs and services for their clergy and lay employees. This is a great way to support the well-being of those who work hard to serve their communities.

The well-being programs offered through Wespath have been recognized with the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award from the National Business Group on Health.

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Wespath Benefits and Investments is a not-for-profit administrative agency of The United Methodist Church.

Wespath was founded in 1908 and has been providing pension and health benefits for employees of the United Methodist Church in the United States ever since.

It has over 300 full-time employees and is headquartered in Glenview, Illinois.

The organization has received several national recognitions, including being named one of the Chicago-area Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for eight years in a row.

Wespath's operations include retirement services, health care, investment management, and more, with approximately $29 billion in assets under management.

The Glenview, IL headquarters building was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, reflecting the organization's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Wespath's values include Teamwork, Integrity, Stewardship, Spirituality, Customer Satisfaction, and Mutual Respect.

Its mission is to care for those who serve by providing investment and benefit services that honor the mission and principles of The United Methodist Church.

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Wespath has a reputation for promoting left-of-center causes, which has led to criticism for making politically charged decisions about the retirement savings of plan participants.

The organization's investment philosophy focuses on human rights, and it has severed relationships with financial institutions in countries with alleged human rights violations, such as Israel.

Wespath initiated a review of its holdings in 2014, identifying Israel and the Palestinian territories as "high risk" countries due to human rights abuses.

The organization has excluded 44 companies from its investment funds, including all of Israel's major banks, due to human rights concerns.

Wespath also excludes companies contributing to global warming, citing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for socially responsible investing.

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Wespath follows the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for socially responsible investing.

The organization identifies several countries with prolonged and systematic patterns of human rights violations, including the Central African Republic, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

A total of 44 companies are excluded from its investment funds, including all of Israel's major banks.

The board also excludes a further nine companies due to their contribution to global warming.

For your interest: Human Capital Investments

Wespath has a reputation for promoting left-of-center causes, including social justice and human rights. Critics accuse the organization of making politically charged decisions surrounding the retirement savings of plan participants.

The organization uses a human rights-centric investment philosophy called "Invent, Engage, Avoid" to support sustainable investment strategies. This approach involves severing relationships with financial institutions in countries with alleged human rights violations.

In 2014, Wespath initiated a review of its holdings concerning stances on climate change and human rights. The review identified Israel and the Palestinian territories as countries with "a prolonged and systematic pattern of human rights abuses."

Wespath has excluded the five largest Israeli banks from its investments, citing human rights abuses in Israel. This move drew support from proponents of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The United Methodist Kairos Response, a pro-BDS group, praised Wespath's decision and pushed the fund to expel more Israeli companies from its portfolio.