Kenneth Albright - The BGC Retirement Plan enabled us to be self-sufficient…we repaired and improved the old house and property we inherited…

John F & Barbara Anderson – Hardly a day passes that I don’t thank God for Franklin D Roosevelt and H Wyman Malmsten.  FDR for Social Security and H Wyman for making the BGC Retirement Plan get off the ground.  The BGC plan is a model of good stewardship.  Funds are invested and distributed with wisdom, equity and efficiency.  The 22 years I paid into the BGC plan pay dividends which enable Barbara and me to live our retirement years with freedom from financial fear.  I have nothing but praise of the BGC plan.  I urge all pastors and BGC churches to take advantage of our retirement plan.  

 Rob Boyd, MN – The BGC Retirement Plan has allowed me to continue to serve the Lord full time at half salary for 9 years now.  It is great to be able to give back this way – I’d like to serve the Lord till I die!  

 George Brecheisen, Willmar MN – I only had a few years under the plan.  It is not that large of an amount, when one considers all one needs for retirement, but it sure is larger in comparison to my SS since I had been paying into that since 1955!  

Thomas & Elaine Coleman - This plan is well run and dependable.  Those who developed it long ago and those who administer it now have done well.  My feeling is HURRAH!! for the BGC.

Carroll Erickson, MN– It helped us purchase our first home. The monthly benefits from the BGC Plan along with our Social Security has been huge for us.  I want to thank the BGC who have managed the plan well along with the churches I served who contributed to that plan!  

Barbara Espland – At the time of retirement, we considered the different types of payment offers.  We chose the plan that the monthly amount would be the same while both of us were here or even after a spouse would pass away.  Therefore, my monthly remittance, even after my husband’s death, has been constant.  We had set up a spending budget before – now I have been able to continue to give about the same to the charitable giving as well as helping some family needs.  The stable income is very helpful.  

Lester Fair – Calvary Baptist Church in Hastings was a struggling pioneer church so the retirement contribution was quite limited.  We are thankful for what we receive and use it totally for real estate taxes on our home as well as some utilities.  It has enabled us to continue living in our home to serve our church.  

Bill Hadeen – Wanda writes for Bill (in late stages of Alzheimers)…Bill was a member of the Retirement Plan for only a couple of years, but even though the monthly amount is small it has been very helpful to us.  We praise God and thank the BGC for providing this help for us.  God is so good.  

Roger Hedberg, MN – There is no way my retirement years would be economically survivable were it not for the monthly assistance of the Conference Retirement Plan.  Many thanks to God and the BGC and all who make this significant plan work so well.  

J Warren & Ruth Johnson – The retirement benefits have been many!  It has helped to live comfortably in our senior life with the assurance that the money would arrive safely and faithfully every month!  We are very grateful for the BGC and for the privilege that was ours to serve with it for some fifty years.  

Nedine Kolmodin, MN – When my husband received his first pension check he immediately went to the phone and called Wyman Malmsten who was the driving force in the implementation of the Retirement Plan for pastors.  My husband has since gone to his heavenly home, but I an grateful to still receive the funds each month that assure me of an earthly home until I join him in Glory.  

Dana Larson – Together with SS income we get through every month.  Besides our living costs, we can also contribute to other causes…

Maurice Lawson, CA, - No sensible person without specialized training would ignore the presence of doctors in matters of health. No more can he expect to handle on his own his fund in such a way that he will be able to live securely until death.  At 93, I am several years past my planning.

Marvin & Ruth Lindstedt – Together with our SS, the BGC Retirement Plan has made it possible for us to live our retirement years in security, with peace of mind, and the ability to continue to be faithful stewards in our support of the Lord’s work…

Paul & Ruth Lundgren – It has freed me to serve part-time for 15 ½ years and since then to survive on my SS and retirement income.  It has been a tremendous blessing and help!

Warren Magnuson, Bloomington, MN -  I am grateful for Lloyd Dahlquist and his concern for the livelihood of our pastors, for the trustees who promoted the project, for H Wyman Malmsten for building the plan, for pastors who have endorse the plan, for the inclusion of the BGC and District personnel, for the members of the pension committee, and to the Lord who has given me the opportunity to enjoy my retirement years in an environment which provides comfort and security.  

Lloyd & Elsie Mattson – The retirement plan has been a godsend to us, our only income apart from SS.  The incremental increases were much appreciated.  I gained peace of mind knowing that Elsie would receive half of my pension to supplement her SS should I head home first.  The death benefit will more than pay for dehydrating my remains.  Having served in small churches with low income through my career, the plan has provided a modest, comfortable retirement. 

Nels Nelson – My pension is not large, but it has been of help to us.  I chose the one that would give my wife, if I should die before her, the same amount as we get now.  I highly recommend this pension plan.

Charles Nethercott – I owe a great deal of gratitude to Bethel Baptist Church of Kerkhoven, MN for getting on the BGC retirement program.  It has made the difference of living comfortably instead of being poor.  I am incredibly thankful.

Alma Bjork-Olson -  My first husband, Dale, invested in this fund in the early years, when our finances were meager.  I wondered a bit about our future security.  During 20 years of widowhood (and now another wonderful marriage) I’ve watched with amazement and gratitude as the monthly income kept increasing.  Now it has nearly doubled since that beginning.  I thank God for the guidance from the BGC Family…

Virgil A. Olson, MN – I became a recipient of the BGC Retirement Plan in the fall of 1981.  I have been impressed with the management of the Retirement Fund, providing several increases through the years.  I believe the amounts of my monthly checks from the time I received my first check to the present has increased nearly 100%.  I am so grateful for the BGC Retirement Plan and what it has meant to my material welfare through the years.

Wallace A Olson, MN – Most of us don’t get rich in the ministry, that’s not why we entered it.  But it sure is nice when we’re done to have enough retirement income to live comfortably.  Thanks BGC for your forethought to start the plan, for your wisdom in keeping it going and for your faithfulness to those of us who depend upon it.

James Schubring – It has helped lift the burden of increased cost of living…

LaVerne Johnson Schubring -  Many times we have seen it bring aid to a project of ours.  We are now enjoying the help it gives to assist us in our monthly cost of living in the retirement home.

Herb & Jean Skoglund - On the first day of every month I am reminded how much Jean and I benefit from the vision of those Conference visionaries who proposed the Retirement Plan.  Their careful planning, implementation and very professional management is cause for monthly thanksgiving to our Savior for His provision for us.  It is our prayer that all BGC churches will make it possible for their pastors to enroll in the plan.  Such a decision would prove to be a source of continual encouragement and blessing both to churches and pastor.

Elna Swanson – The BGC Retirement Plan has been an essential supplement to my Social Security benefits.  Thank you for providing retirement benefits for “old folks”!

Arlene Anderson Vander-Vegt, Cambridge, MN – My husband chose the plan that would provide for me after he was gone.  He passed away in 1991…it has supplied my needs that otherwise would not have been met.

Eleanor West - As a widow of a BGC pastor who served 2 Conference churches for about 24 years, I am so glad Eugene participated in the Retirement Plan.  It was definitely a wise choice.  Without it as a supplement to my SS, I would not be able to own my small condo or afford to travel to visit my three sons.  The personal concern for me has been a check each month from the BGC .  How can I ever thank you all enough for making my life better and easier?