Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) selects AUL Retirement Services as its 403(b) plan provider
Beth King, APR, Media Relations Manager
(317) 285-4168 or beth.king@oneamerica.com
For Immediate Release:
Indianapolis (Oct. 29, 2008) – The leadership of the Retirement Services division at the American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), a OneAmerica company, is pleased to announce that the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) have selected AUL Retirement Services as its new voluntary 403(b) plan provider.
WELS is the third largest Lutheran church body in America. With national offices today at 2929 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, Wisc., WELS began in 1850 when three German pastors met in Milwaukee. Today, it has grown to over 1,200 congregations in North America. It has over 400,000 baptized members, which includes over 300,000 communicants, served by over 1,000 pastors.
The Synod operates four ministerial education schools, including Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisc.; Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.; Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wisc.; and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich.
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod traces its history back to 1853 when the "Norwegian Synod" was organized in the Midwestern United States. They practiced "fellowship", a form of full communion, with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) during the 1850s and 1860s. In 1872, they along with the LCMS and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) formed the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. In 1917, the Norwegian Synod merged with two other Norwegian Lutheran groups and formed the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, later named the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The WELS/ELS arrangement is a team effort between AUL Retirement Services, national retirement consulting and administrative firm Goldleaf Partners and one of AUL’s general agencies, the Hahn Financial Group, Inc. It will allow Church employees to designate a percentage of their salary into a selection of retirement funds on a pre or post-tax basis. As part of its commitment to ongoing service, AUL will provide Church employees with investment education.
“We’re excited to welcome WELS/ELS to the AUL Retirement Services family,” said Bill Yoerger, senior vice president for AUL Retirement Services. “We look forward to helping WELS/ELS employees save for retirement with a level of service, spirit and dedication that we hope will last for many years.”
The addition of WELS/ELS to the AUL Retirement Services family further represents the company’s aggressive growth strategy in the 403(b) market. AUL Retirement Services is a recognized leader in serving the retirement planning needs of nonprofit organizations with more than 5,000 retirement plans and 200 investment options from well-known investment companies.
About AUL Retirement Services
American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL) is the founding member of OneAmerica® and offers a wide range of retirement plans, products and services for individuals and employers. As a leader in the retirement services industry, AUL provides local service through a national network of experienced professionals specializing in the 401(k) and 403(b) and 457 (nonprofit) markets.
About AUL
American United Life Insurance Company® (AUL), a OneAmerica® company, is focused on providing a strong portfolio of products for individuals, families and small businesses. AUL utilizes a national network of experienced professionals specializing in an extensive menu of financial products, including life insurance, annuities and employee benefits. The company helps consumers plan for tomorrow by creating, leveraging and protecting their financial futures.
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Registered Representative and securities offered through OneAmerica Securities, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC, P.O. Box 1984, Indianapolis, IN 46206, (317) 285-1877, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of AUL.
