Church Pension Group

For further details, download A Guide to the Short-Term Disability Benefit from our publications section.

Who is eligible?
Active participants in the Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan who are actively working or temporarily between cures, are current in their pension assessments and are canonically resident in the United States.

How am I enrolled in this benefit?
You are automatically enrolled if you meet the eligibility definition. No paperwork is required. New clergy are covered as soon as we receive the first pension assessment.
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How is disability defined?
You may submit a claim if, for 30 days or more:

• You are ill or injured and unable to work, or
• Your illness or injury so limits your ability to work that you lose 20% to 80% of your weekly earnings.
  

Do I need a medical examination to enroll?
No. You are enrolled without medical questions or evidence of insurability.
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Who pays for the benefit?
The Church Pension Fund.

When do benefit payments begin?
Benefits begin after 30 consecutive days of total or partial disability.

When should I file a claim?
As soon as you cannot perform your duties. You may notify us within the first 30 days, before benefits take effect, but you or your employer must do so within a reasonable time in order to receive a benefit.
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What is the weekly benefit amount?
The benefit is equal to 70% of your total compensation as reported to the Church Pension Fund, up to $1,000 per week.

For how long is the benefit paid?
Payments may continue for up to 52 weeks. The coverage ends:

• if your pension assessments become six or more months in arrears,
• if you begin receiving retirement benefits under the Clergy Pension Plan,
• when you are no longer disabled, or
• when the plan is terminated.
  

Who receives the disability benefit payment?
Your church employer receives the payment. Your employer is required to continue your full compensation throughout the disability period. Your employer must also continue to pay your pension assessments while you are disabled. If you are paying pension assessments on your own behalf as a result of part-time, extra church ministry or the between cures provision, the disability payment is paid to you. If a portion of the assessment is also paid by your employer, the disability payment is paid to both the employer and to you based on the proportion of the assessments you each pay. If you position is termination on or after the date of your disability, the disability payment is made directly to you.

What if I can work part-time?
You may receive a partial benefit if you work less than 80% of your normal hours. If you work 20% or less, you may still receive the full benefit.
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What if the disability is expected to be total and continuing?
Disability retirement through the Clergy Pension Plan may be appropriate. Your benefit under the pension plan will be at least equal to the Short-Term Disability benefit for the remainder of the 52 weeks.

How do I file a claim?
As soon as you are unable to work, request a claim form by calling us at (866) 802-6333 weekdays 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET, or ask your employer to do so.

How is the claim reviewed?
CPG sends the claim form to Unum Provident, the disability carrier, who approves or denies the claim. You are contacted by a Disability Benefits Specialist at Unum Providence, trained in your specific type of disability, who evaluates and handles your case. This person is supported by Unum's physicians, nurses, case managers and vocational rehabilitation consultants. When appropriate, these professionals are in touch with your employer and doctor, review medical and other claim information, and offer to help you in your recovery and return to work. CPG may require that the determination of disability be made by a qualified physician chosen and paid for by CPG.

How long before a claim is reviewed or denied?
In some cases, such as routine surgery or maternity leave, benefits may be approved almost immediately. If your condition is more complicated, additional medical information may be required. Depending on how quickly Unum receives this information, benefits determination may take longer. If this is the case, you will receive a written update on the status of your claim at least every 30 days until the claim is decided.

For how long is a claim approved?
Depending on the disability, Unum Provident will periodically ask you for more information to help continually evaluate your claim.

Who can my employer and I call with questions?
The Disability Benefit Specialist who handles your case will give you a toll-free number you can use whenever you have questions or concerns about your case. You can also call Pension Services at (866) 802-6333 weekdays 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET or e-mail us with your questions.
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This document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as investment, tax or other advice. In the event of a conflict between this document and the official plan documents, the official plan documents will govern. The Church Pension Fund and its affiliates retain the right to amend, terminate or modify the terms of any benefit plans described in this document at any time, without notice and for any reason.

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