Disability Retirement Benefit
For clergy participating in the Church Pension Fund
The disability retirement benefit protects clergy against the financial consequences of severe disability before retirement. This lifetime monthly benefit is paid to clergy who have a total and continuing disability that renders them unable to work.
Benefit enhanced
Before age 65, the benefit provides 70% of the total assessable compensation a cleric was receiving before the onset of disability, regardless of the number of years served. After age 65, the benefit is equal to the retirement benefit the cleric would have received if he or she had worked until age 65.
To qualify, a cleric must be an active participant1 in the clergy pension plan. A physician must certify that the disability is total and continuing, and CPF's Medical Board must concur. Until age 65, CPF's Medical Board reviews the disability at least once a year to determine whether benefits should continue. If the cleric is still disabled at age 65, benefit payments continue for life.
The benefit is for total disability only and does not cover those who work part time. However, after total disability benefits have been paid for one year, a reduced benefit may be possible should the cleric be able to return to work part time.
1 Active clergy: Generally, clergy on whose behalf assessments are being paid and are up-to-date.
| 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 January 1, 2006