Patrick Wendel

Portico Benefit Services

Portico Benefit Services (Portico), a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is a non-profit provider of health and retirement benefits with related services solely designed to help plan members of the ELCA and other faith-based organizations live and serve well throughout their ministry and their lives. A changing environment and evolving member needs have brought strategic change to Portico's design and delivery of products and services in recent years. Formerly known as the ELCA Board of Pensions, Portico continues the church's long legacy of caring for its leaders. Lutherans first established a fund to assist pastors and their families in need 230 years ago. Today, Portico's vision is to be a recognized leader in inviting its members to lead healthy lives and achieve financial security. Under the direction of President and CEO Jeff Thiemann, Portico's 230 employees serve more than 5,600 congregations and organizations, which partner with Portico to provide benefits. More than 46,000 members, rostered and lay leaders (and their families), use ELCA benefits to live well during their working years and in retirement.