Newly ordained and job-hunting
If you've been ordained to the diaconate or priesthood but don't yet have a job in the church, you may earn one year of credited service by paying personal assessments for a full year based on CPF's hypothetical minimum compensation. (Contact us to learn more about minimum compensation.)
This covers you for 18 months. During this time, you are eligible for only one of two benefits: either a disability retirement benefit or a survivor benefit. Unless you plan to enter church work in the future and earn at least five full years of credited service, there may be little advantage in taking this option.
Secular work
If you perform strictly secular work, you may pay assessments on your last full-time church compensation or on the fund's hypothetical minimum compensation, whichever amount is greater, for one year.
Two-clergy families
If you and your spouse are both ordained clergy, you are each building your own record of credited service with the Church Pension Fund and will each receive a pension after retirement. You may also each qualify for the surviving spouse benefit. If you have questions about your status, contact us.
Military service
The Church Pension Fund has a special agreement with the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies. If you serve the church in the military, please contact us for details.
Other Anglican communions
If part of your service to the church takes place in another part of the Anglican communion, you may still be vested in the Church Pension Fund if you have earned a total of five years of combined credited service. At least two must be based on participation in the United States plan. Your benefits from the fund will be based only on your participation in the U.S. plan.