The General Convention and Church Pension Group
Did you know that both the lay pension system and the Denominational Health Plan (DHP) were born of the work of The Church Pension Fund (CPF) in response to the General Convention? In fact, CPF itself was established through actions taken by the General Convention in 1913.
Today, CPF is the sponsor and administrator of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan, The Episcopal Church Lay Employees’ Retirement Plan, and other retirement savings plans that help clergy and lay employees prepare for retirement. In addition, The Episcopal Church Medical Trust, a CPF affiliate, administers the DHP.
Along with pension and healthcare benefits, CPF and its affiliated businesses, collectively known as the Church Pension Group (CPG), offer property and casualty insurance as well as liturgical and other published materials for clergy, lay employees, and Church institutions.
The 25-member CPF Board of Trustees, 24 of whom are elected by the General Convention, governs CPG. The CEO and President is the 25th trustee, appointed by the board.
The long history of CPG and the Church has been characterized by service and shared values. Whether preparing for General Convention each triennium or delivering products and services to our clients every day, CPG continually strives to support the Church in accordance with our vision—to provide our clients with the highest possible level of financial security in retirement consistent with exemplary financial stewardship on our part and with the evolving needs of the Church.
Explore Our Reports to General Convention
2022 Update:
CPG Report to General Convention
We offer an update on our recent work and shared values with the Church. Hear CPF Board members, CPG leaders, and clients explore a variety of topics:
- Maintaining the strength of our pension programs
- Controlling the cost of healthcare
- Pension parity
- Racial reconciliation
- Socially responsible investing
- The role of the CPF Board
Task Force to Study the Relationship of The Episcopal Church and The Church Pension Fund
Resolution 2018-A060 asked CPF and the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church to study the historical and current relationship of The Episcopal Church and CPF to offer greater clarity on their respective roles, responsibilities, and authority. The Executive Council and CPF issued a joint report on this study.
Study Parity Between Lay and Clergy Pensions
Resolution 2018-A237 urged CPF to report on the current state of parity between the pensions of lay and ordained Church employees, domestic and non-domestic Church employees, and Church employees of disparate incomes, with a particular focus on how income disparities are manifested across gender and racial or ethnic lines, understanding that working income directly affects pension benefits.
Pension Equity for Lay Employees
Resolution 2018-D045 asked CPF to identify necessary steps for providing pension equity for lay and ordained Church employees, compare possible plans with pension benefits offered by non-church organizations, and report the results of this study.
Divest from Fossil Fuel Companies and Reinvest in Clean Energy
Resolution 2018-A020 urged CPF to be mindful of the Church’s desire to become increasingly invested in renewable and clean energy and requested that CPF provide a report that includes a sustainability plan.
Report to the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church, Church Pension Group Subcommittee
This 2017 Report responds to a series of questions submitted by the subcommittee and addresses CPG’s relationship to the Church, CPG’s pension and health benefits programs, its financial sustainability, and its investment strategy.
Other ways to learn more about CPG
- Check out our latest interactive Annual Report
- Read a Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Subscribe to our newsletter CPG Connect
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