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 a 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.

You can access your retirement account online through the My Retirement Account link provided above on our MyBenefits page. Geneva Benefits Advisors are available to assist you with your account Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, eastern. Northwest Partner Services (NWPS), our retirement plan administrator, is available Monday through Friday 8 am to 8pm, eastern.

Geneva Benefits Group: 1-800-789-8765
Email: retirement@genevabenefits.org
NWPS’ Geneva Service Center 1-877-543-0055

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.

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. Questions on eligibility? Contact us at enrollment@genevabenefits.org.

You need enough coverage to meet the needs of your survivors and should consider expenses such as a mortgage, raising children, and college. A general rule of thumb is to start with 10 times your annual income. Remember, the amount you need is always changing. A 35-year-old with a spouse and kids needs far more life insurance than a couple nearing their 60’s who are empty nesters.

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

Step 1: Visit our My Benefits page to download 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.

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

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).

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.

1. Employers must complete a Counseling Service Agreement (See Forms and Documents)
   • Understand Employee Eligibility and Employer Requirements here
2. Employee and Employer complete an Enrollment Form (See Forms and Documents)
   • For those already enrolled in Geneva’s benefits, simply check the Full Strength Network checkbox and complete sections 1,2, and 5

Peer cohorts, while vital for pastoral wellbeing, are voluntary and mutual. Periodically, pastors need direction from trained professionals who can ask different questions, name issues with language to aid understanding, and lead them through intentional processes that cultivate personal and professional growth.

The pastoral vocation is uniquely challenging. Work like 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 sabbiticals.

1. Employers must complete a Counseling Service Agreement (See Forms and Documents)
   • Understand Employee Eligibility and Employer Requirements here
2. Employee and Employer complete an Enrollment Form (See Forms and Documents)
   • For those already enrolled in Geneva’s benefits, simply check the Full Strength Network checkbox and complete sections 1,2, and 5

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 year. 

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.

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

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

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 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.

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

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