Disability Retirement Benefit
For clergy participating in the Church Pension Fund
How do I apply for this benefit?
Contact the Pastoral Care Team
(800) 223-6602
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern)
If you are unable to place the call, the person who holds your Power of Attorney should do so.
The disability retirement benefit protects you against the financial consequences of severe disability before you retire. This lifetime monthly benefit is paid to clergy who have a total and continuing disability that renders them unable to work.
How much would I receive?
Before age 65, the benefit provides 70% of the total compensation you were receiving before the onset of your disability, regardless of the number of years you served. After age 65, the benefit is equal to the retirement benefit you would have received if you had worked until 65.
To qualify for the enhancement, you must be an active participant1 in the clergy pension plan. A physician must certify that your disability is total and continuing, and CPF's Medical Board must concur. Until you reach age 65, CPF's Medical Board reviews your disability at least once a year to determine whether benefits should continue. If you are still disabled at age 65, benefit payments continue for life.
The benefit is for total disability only and initially does not provide partial disability coverage. However, after you have received total disability benefits for one year, a reduced benefit may be possible should you return to work part time.
1Active clergy: Generally, clergy on whose behalf assessments are being paid and are up-to-date.
| Example: How the enhanced disability benefit works | |
|---|---|
| Cleric, age 52 at date of disability Total compensation before disability |
$60,000 |
| HAC (Highest Average Compensation) Credited service: 17 years at time of disability retirement Total projected credited service to age 65: 30 years |
$54,000 |
| Cleric would receive: Lifetime monthly disability benefit Retirement benefit, with cost of living increases when granted |
$2,447.502 |
| Plus Disability benefit enhancement Additional benefit to age 65, with cost of living increases when granted |
$1,052.50 |
| Plus Disability bridge benefit Payable for up to 29 months, until eligible for Medicare or until age 65, whichever occurs first |
$525 |
2Benefit formula in effect as of July 1, 2006