On Sunday, November 2, 2025, day four of the NAD Year-End Meeting, G. Alexander Bryant, president, revived a discussion that began more than a year ago about the NAD’s “legacy” defined benefit pension plan.  

He explained that while the NAD houses and manages the plan, “it is not the office plan. It is all of our plan — all 59 conferences, nine unions, our educational institutions, and the General Conference.” 

Bryant shared that conference leaders first raised concerns about tithe contributions to retirement during a pre–NAD YEM administrators’ meeting in 2024. An initial proposal went to the NAD treasurers cabinet in April. Treasury leaders and the North American Division Officers and Union Presidents (NADOUP) continued refining possible approaches throughout 2025. Following these discussions, a final proposal was formally recommended by the fall treasurers council on October 28, 2025. NADOUP affirmed the recommendation on October 29, and NAD and union officers met with conference leadership on October 30 to share the outcome.

Thus, a  recommendation arose from the NADOUP committee and, supported by the conference presidents, was presented during the 2025 NAD YEM.  

That Sunday, NADOUP recommended a 3 percent reduction in conference contributions to the Church Defined Benefit Plan, starting January 1, 2026, with a comparable decrease for payroll-based organizations; the unions, NAD, and General Conference will maintain 2025 rates. They also recommended that once the healthcare plan is fully funded, projected as 5.12 years, the contributions from participating organizations will be reallocated to the church defined benefit plan. 

The motion was passed unanimously, followed by applause. Bryant expressed gratitude to union and conference leadership, and to Romero, who visited many unions throughout the process. He then said to the delegates, “We thank all of you for what you’ve done in working together to get to this place.” 

Robert Folkenberg, Southern New England Conference president, responded, “I want to also give heartfelt thanks to the process. It was transparent and effective. We appreciated Dr. Romero coming to our union and explaining the nuts and bolts, … and the leadership of the division in bringing us to this conclusion. Thank you so much.”

Bryant shared that, based on their research, “This represents the largest one-time decrease in tithe [contributions].” There was a 2 percent decrease from 2021 to 2025, and another 2 percent before then that took 8 years, both related to the tithes sent to the GC. 

“We pray and hope that [this 3 percent] will be a benefit to our conferences. We pray that it will [assist] the ministry that is taking place on the frontlines of our territory,” Bryant added.

Bryant then invited Romero, associate treasurer and Adventist Retirement administrator,  to give a special report on the NAD’s Adventist Retirement Plan. 

“It is so humbling to see the hand of God upon the nine retirement plans of the North American Division,” Romero began. “And to see the retirement plans in their best financial position since inception is remarkable. That is because our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for His church and for us, which we know nothing about.” 

He expressed appreciation on behalf of the 36,000 retirement participants across the NAD, 16,000 of whom are retirees, stating, “Make no mistake. Your support does not return void.”

Among the highlights shared, Adventist Retirement manages assets of more than $3.7 billion, including $2.65 billion in the current defined contribution plan, a 403b plan — a financial milestone. Also, in 2024, they paid more than $160 million in benefits across defined benefit plans. 

Romero described the department’s “journey of faith” from 2020-2025, during the COVID-19 pandemic era and beyond, and their support to participants, colleagues, and vendors alike under the motto “With you on the journey.” 

Romero noted that the department’s morale has grown stronger since 2020, as they work, pray, and play together. He described a similarly supportive relationship with their vendors. “We pray for them, we pray for their families. And it is a beautiful, beautiful thing.”

During this period, defined contribution plan participation rates increased from 86 percent to 98 percent, with average account balances rising from $71,383 to $99,007. 

The team improved participant experience via reducing annual participant recordkeeping and administrative fees; hiring two certified professional planners offering free, customized financial roadmaps; and launching a financial wellness program engaging more than 3,000 participants. A $1.25 million Lilly Endowment Foundation grant has funded clergy financial wellness initiatives. 

Defined contribution plan auto-escalation increased the maximum from 7 to 15 percent, with total potential contributions now at 23 percent including the employer’s share of 8 percent.

To strengthen operations, they hired an IT database specialist and transitioned to a new actuary. They increased communication through newsletters and other channels. They also improved their business continuity plan for remote operation, in the event of another pandemic.

Romero noted their collaboration with regional and Canadian plans, emphasizing that while they have different structures, “we are one church.” 

Finally, Romero addressed the church defined benefit plan. They shortened the funding period from 30 years to 11.14 years, and, following that day’s vote, 12.04 years. He shared that the 3 percent contribution strategy would yield a $50 million annual retention outcome for participating entities. 

“I’ll translate that for you. You’ll get to keep $50 million for ministry. Amen?” he said, to applause.

“It brings great pleasure to me and to my team to have that in place, because we believe that true ministry takes place out in the field, out in the trenches, with our members, in the pews, with our schools, with our churches, with our universities.” He deflected any praise to him or his team, stating, “When the math is not there, when one cannot quantify what just happened, then all of the honor and glory belong to God.” Romero credited all their accomplishments to “a God of order,” One who provides, and “whose love for His church is infinite.” 

Romero concluded on a personal note as he publicly announced his departure from the NAD. “It’s been the privilege and pleasure of my life to serve for five years as your associate treasurer and administratorof the Adventist retirement plans of the North American Division. I solicit your prayers as I transition to a new role where I know I’m going to continue to serve you, our church, and my God. God bless you.”

Click here to watch the defined benefits contribution vote and here to watch Romero’s Adventist Retirement report.

Read more here about the NAD treasury team’s focus on ministry. 

Click here to read more about Adventist Retirement’s awards in the past few years, which Romero also briefly mentioned in his report.