Geneva Benefits Group Partners with The Church Alliance to Advance Clergy Retirement Wellbeing

Geneva Benefits Group’s membership in The Church Alliance reflects a shared commitment to protecting the long-term financial wellbeing of clergy and lay workers who faithfully serve the church. The Church Alliance is a national network representing 34 denominational benefits organizations that provide retirement and healthcare benefits to ministers and ministry workers across a wide range of Judeo-Christian faith traditions. Together, the Alliance members advocate for policies that strengthen church benefits plans and ensure that those who serve faith communities can retire with dignity and security.

A central focus of The Church Alliance’s current advocacy work is support for The CLERGY Act (H.R. 227). This bipartisan legislation is designed to assist ministers who previously opted out of Social Security by allowing them a pathway to re-enter the system. For many clergy families, Social Security plays a critical role in providing a stable foundation of retirement income, particularly when combined with denominational pension and benefits plans. The Church Alliance and its member organizations are deeply supportive of this legislation because of its potential to address gaps in retirement readiness for ministers who now face limited options later in life.

As a member of The Church Alliance, Geneva Benefits Group actively supports this advocacy on behalf of the ministries and families it serves. Geneva’s leadership recognizes firsthand the challenges faced by retired clergy who lack access to Social Security benefits, and the importance of thoughtful policy solutions that reflect both compassion and financial stewardship.

Rev. Dr. Edward W. Dunnington, President and CEO of Geneva Benefits Group, underscored this commitment through his public support of the legislation:

“On behalf of Geneva Benefits Group, I wholeheartedly support the passage of the Clergy Act. As a benefits organization serving multiple denominations, we have witnessed firsthand the essential role Social Security plays in ensuring that our retired ministers and their families have adequate income during their final season of ministry. The Clergy Act will enable ministers who previously opted out of Social Security to reenter the system, helping secure a more stable and financially sustainable retirement.”

Geneva’s influence within The Church Alliance is further strengthened through Dr. Dunnington’s service on the Alliance’s steering committee, where he helps guide advocacy priorities and contribute to national conversations shaping the future of church benefits. This leadership role allows Geneva not only to support important legislative efforts like the Clergy Act but also to bring back insights and best practices that enhance Geneva’s service to churches, ministries, and their employees.

Through its membership in The Church Alliance and its active engagement in advocacy and leadership, Geneva continues to demonstrate its commitment to caring for those who have dedicated their lives to serving the church – today and for generations to come.

To learn more about The Church Alliance, visit www.church-alliance.org.