A PDF version is available for download here. It includes all the details covered on this page for easy offline access.

Age and stage are important for grouping pastors in a cohort. We want you to be in a cohort with other pastors who understand your experience without you needing to explain it to them. They get you.

This round of cohorts is open to Senior/Lead Pastors and Solo Pastors. Assistant/Associate Pastors will be added for 2027.

We believe that the local church should care for its pastor’s well-being. We will provide you with information to share with your Session and are available to answer any questions they may have. We have found that most Sessions want to ensure their pastors are cared for and are willing to cover the costs. At the end of the day, it is more cost-effective to support a pastor’s well-being than to replace him after burnout.

There is a two-year commitment. But we desire that the Lord Jesus would knit these cohorts together so that they cannot think of do gospel ministry apart from this band of brothers.

Contact us at wellbeing@genevabenefits.org. We will answer any questions and provide information on costs. We will give you details to share with your elders and guide you through the application process.

Deep relationships are essential to our cohorts. Cohorts consist of 5-7 pastors each. We also believe that age and stage are important.

Twice a year for an in-person retreat in a beautiful setting. And then monthly over Zoom.

Our next round of cohorts will start in January of 2026. In-person retreats will be in February/March and October of 2026.

Yes — while vacations provide short-term rest and time away, a sabbatical is a longer, intentional season designed for deep renewal, reflection, and disconnection from the ongoing demands of pastoral ministry. Watch this short video as Rev. Jon Medlock explains the key differences between vacation time and sabbaticals, and why pastors need both for true rest and renewal. For a full transcript of the video, click here.

One concern we often hear from churches is the fear that if their pastor goes on sabbatical, he might not return. Watch this short video as Rev. Jon Medlock shares practical ways churches can build regular rhythms of sabbatical rest into their pastor’s call package and their church’s ministry calendar. For a full transcript of the video, click here.

We believe that when a pastor leaves for a sabbatical, the Lord is also providing a unique opportunity for the church to learn and grow. Watch this short video from Rev. Jon Medlock to learn how the church staff and congregants can grow even while their pastor is away on sabbatical. For a full transcript of the video, click here.

Watch this short video to hear Rev. Jon Medlock provide insight from his research and learn why pastors need support for sabbaticals to bolster their wellbeing. For a full transcript of the video, click here.

Watch this short video to hear Rev. Jon Medlock provide more insight from his research and learn why pastors need support for sabbaticals to bolster their wellbeing. For a full transcript of the video, click here.

The pastoral vocation is uniquely challenging. Work such as sermon preparation, preaching, teaching, counseling, and day-to-day administrative oversight of the church are difficult and time-consuming enough. But pastors bear the additional burden of being “always on.” They get calls at night and on weekends, and wherever they go, they are seen in their pastoral role. For long-term wellbeing, pastors need occasional seasons away from these all-consuming demands provided by sabbaticals.

Retired ministers receive distributions as “eligible” for housing allowance from our 403(b)(9) retirement plan. Our board of directors issues an annual resolution authorizing housing allowance for retired ministers. The same housing allowance limits apply before and after retirement. Any distributions beyond your housing allowance are still taxable.

Ordained ministers have a unique dual tax status. They are W-2 employees of a church or organization. Simultaneously, they are self-employed for Social Security tax purposes. In addition, ministers are able to exclude their housing allowance from federal and state taxation.

We offer a 403(b)(9) retirement plan. Typically, a 401(k) is used in the for profit world, while a 403(b) is used in the non-profit world. Our retirement plan is a 403(b)(9) with special features for denominations and churches. One of the key features is housing allowance in retirement for ministers which provides tremendous tax savings.

There are two ways to save, each with its own tax advantages.
·      With traditional 403(b) contributions, you save with pre-tax dollars, which reduces your taxable income and your current tax obligation. You pay no income tax on your savings or investment returns until you retire and begin taking a distribution from the plan.
·      With Roth 403(b) contributions, you save after tax dollars. When you take a distribution from the plan, that distribution will be tax-free, provided your account had been open for at least five years and you are at least age 59 ½.

There are three different ways to invest with Geneva. You may select from Target Funds, Core Funds, and a Self-Directed Brokerage Account. When you initially enroll, you will be invested in an age-appropriate Target Fund. Target Funds are single funds comprised of multiple underlying funds. Target Funds employ broad diversification and seek to set risk appropriate for your age, provide reasonable returns and automatically adjust as you near retirement. Target Fund allocations are professionally developed and simplify investing decisions.

Geneva works hard to craft an investment portfolio that reflects our Christian convictions and gospel values. As often as feasible, we direct our fund managers to invest in companies that promote human flourishing, protect and nurture God’s good creation, and seek the common good of society. We also seek to avoid investing in companies that materially and directly thwart those goals or whose core business models conflict with the clear teachings of scripture.

All ministers, missionaries, school personnel and lay church employees who receive W-2 taxable income from a PCA church or pre-approved church related organization are eligible to participate in the plan. To receive enrollment instructions fill out a request for instructions here. Questions on eligibility? Contact us at enrollment@genevabenefits.org.

Nothing. Geneva knows the complexities associated with planning for retirement. Meeting with one of our Retirement Readiness Planners to discuss your unique situation has no additional cost to you or your church/organization. Set up a meeting today.

You can access your retirement plan with Geneva through Fidelity’s NetBenefits platform online or through the NetBenefits app.

For assistance logging in to your account, please call Fidelity at 800.343.0860. Fidelity representatives are available M-F 8:30 am to midnight ET (excluding most holidays).

Geneva’s team of Benefits Advisors can assist you with enrollment and general account inquiries via phone at 678.825.1260 (M-F 8 am – 5 pm ET) or email at benefits@genevabenefits.org.

No, ordination is not a requirement for enrollment in Geneva benefits. Employees who work 30 or more hours per week are considered full-time and eligible for Geneva group benefits (both retirement & insurance).

Please copy the current month’s invoice which lists the employee and his/her coverage.  On the copied sheet, make a note by that employee’s name with the change of employment and the last day worked, if applicable. Fax (678.825.1261) or email the page to Geneva for processing at benefits@genevabenefits.org. Changes and any needed adjustments will be reflected on the next month’s invoice (credits or retro billings).

Benefits are effective the first day of the month following the date of hire. Please do not send contributions before this date.

New hires should complete and submit an Enrollment form, found on our My Benefits page, and enroll for new insurance benefits within the first 30 days of hire. You can download enrollment instructions and request a secure link on My Benefits.

You can add insurance benefits for your church/ministry staff by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit our My Benefits page to download enrollment instructions and complete two forms:

A) Group Insurance Adoption Agreement (IAA). This allows you to select which insurance products your organization will offer full-time employees.

B) Benefit Plan Enrollment Form. This provides us with the information needed to set up an account in SmartBen (our on-line benefits administrator).

Step 2: Request a secure email link by emailing us at enrollment@genevabenefits.org.

Step 3: Submit forms through secure link.

Most of our insurance products are designed to be offered without medical questions if you enroll within 30 days of your date of hire at your ministry organization.

This needs to be coordinated with Geneva and your employer. There may be voluntary products for which you are eligible. Call us to discuss at 678.825.1260.

Geneva products begin the first of the month after your month of employment (or after approval if enrollment occurs well after your date of hire).

Life and Disability insurance offer portability to a new employer or conversion to individual insurance policies.

We believe that the local church should care for its pastor’s well-being. We will provide you with information to share with your Session and are available to answer any questions they may have. We have found that most Sessions want to ensure their pastors are cared for and are willing to cover the costs. At the end of the day, it is more cost-effective to support a pastor’s well-being than to replace him after burnout.

There is a two-year commitment. But we desire that the Lord Jesus would knit these cohorts together so that they cannot think of do gospel ministry apart from this band of brothers.

Contact us at wellbeing@genevabenefits.org. We will answer any questions and provide information on costs. We will give you details to share with your elders and guide you through the application process.

Deep relationships are essential to our cohorts. Cohorts consist of 5-7 pastors each. We also believe that age and stage are important.

Twice a year for an in-person retreat in a beautiful setting. And then monthly over Zoom.

Our next round of cohorts will start in January of 2026. In-person retreats will be in February/March and October of 2026.

Watch this webinar to hear Rev. Jon Medlock provide a helpful framework for ministerial wellbeing, along with insight from his research into the wellbeing of PCA pastors.

Signing up for Cherish is easy. Our counseling providers have a list of all ordained PCA teaching elders in their database. Visit genevabenefits.org/cherish, and select the counseling provider of your choice. Once you complete their intake form, one of their counselors will reach out to you to assist you in selecting a counselor and scheduling. Cherish is confidential, so Geneva staff does not receive information of those served through it. If you have challenges in registering, reach out to us at relief@genevabenefits.org.

Yes, you have access to 7 free/subsidized counseling sessions every three years.

Signing up for Cherish is easy. Our counseling providers have a list of all ordained PCA teaching elders in their database. Visit genevabenefits.org/cherish, and select the counseling provider of your choice. Once you complete their intake form, one of their counselors will reach out to you to assist you in selecting a counselor and scheduling. Cherish is confidential, so Geneva staff does not receive information of those served through it. If you have challenges in registering, reach out to us at relief@genevabenefits.org.

The Relief Fund is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Qualified recipients include PCA pastors and their wives as well as PCA church/ministry staff.

The Relief Fund provides long-term (6 months or greater) and short-term (less than 6 months) financial assistance as well as access to affordable Christian counseling.

Access to affordable Christian counseling is made available to the wife of any PCA Teaching Elder through our Cherish program. Learn more at genevabenefits.org/cherish

Long-term assistance is recurring monetary gifts which are designed to enable pastors and their widows to provide for basic necessities of life such as medical bills, groceries, utilities, housing, and other basic needs.
There are three categories of short-term assistance.

• Survivor’s assistance is a one-time $1000 payment to the surviving spouse and dependents on the death of a PCA Teaching Elder or his spouse.
• Health Insurance Assistance (HIA) is a reimbursement of health insurance premiums for up to six months for families of pastors between calls.
• General assistance is reserved for one-time or short-term emergencies such as medical bills, funeral expenses, or other such situations that warrant assistance. PCA pastors and ministry staff qualify for this type of assistance.

The Relief Fund depends on the support of generous individuals and churches. You can make an individual gift online at genevabenefits.org/give or equip your church to take a special offering to support our PCA church servants in need. Learn more at genevabenefits.org/getinvolved

Qualified individuals (PCA pastors, widows, and ministry staff) can apply for relief assistance online. Visit genevabenefits.org/applyrelief

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What are the limits of housing allowance? from PCA Retirement & Benefits on Vimeo.

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