With tax season upon us, now is the time to consider a retirement certificate with WELS Church Extension Fund (CEF). WELS CEF offers IRA/retirement certificates that allow WELS members to receive a deduction on their 2009 taxes, while supporting mission work.

"All money invested with WELS CEF—either IRAs or our traditional certificates—is used to help provide financing in the form of low interest loans to mission congregations so they can acquire land and build or renovate a permanent worship facility," says Tim Probst, vice president of marketing and development for WELS CEF.

On average, nearly a dozen congregations moved into a new worship facility each year during the past 3 years. WELS Home Missions and WELS CEF expect that trend to continue in the future—depending upon the economic climate.

WELS CEF works with a third party administrator to handle IRAs on behalf of investors. Investors can transfer all or part of an existing IRA through the administrator to open a WELS CEF Retirement Certificate. They can also open a new IRA through the administrator and direct it to purchase a WELS CEF Retirement Certificate. In either case, a $5,000 minimum investment is required.

To request an IRA kit, call WELS CEF toll-free at 866-511-7793 or visit the Web site: www.welscef.org.