Responding to need: Board of Pensions further expands support
October 27, 2026
In recognition of growing need and rising costs, the Board of Pensions is broadening eligibility for Assistance Program support and increasing grant amounts, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Subsidies for the Shared Ministry Program will also increase as the agency reinforces its commitment to supporting congregations that are creatively responding to their circumstance to call full-time pastoral leadership.
The salary cap for Child Care Support eligibility will increase to the median effective salary ($74,400 for 2027), excluding manse value. To further expand its reach, this assistance grant will become available to ministers employed by presbyteries, agencies, and other ministries who meet eligibility criteria. The grant was introduced as a pilot in April 2026 to support ministers and commissioned pastors serving congregations who have young children.
Support for PC(USA) non-minister staff will expand through extended eligibility for the Employee Vocation Program. Employees who have been enrolled in medical coverage through the Board of Pensions for at least six months and meet other program criteria will be eligible. Prior to this change, the program was limited to employees of PC(USA)-affiliated organizations. The annual effective salary cap for eligibility will increase to $93,000. Ministers have access to education debt assistance through Minister Educational Debt Assistance.
Any member, regardless of ordination, may benefit from changes to Transition-to-College Assistance. Grant amounts will increase significantly, to $5,000 per dependent, or $7,500 if attending a PC(USA) institution, from $2,000 and $3,000. The salary eligibility requirement will rise from an annual household adjusted gross income (AGI) of no more than $142,200 to an AGI of $148,800. The name of the program is being changed to Dependent Education Grants to better reflect program eligibility. Any dependent up to age 26 may be eligible if enrolled at least part time at a college, university, community college, or technical or trade school. For those who have already received this grant in previous years, retroactive funds will not be awarded.
Congregations seeking to call full-time pastoral leadership may benefit from changes to the Shared Ministry Program. The program, now in its second year, provides five years of dues subsidies, enabling congregations to provide pastoral leaders coverage through the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In 2027, the annual maximum subsidies for the first three years will increase to $12,000 for enrollment in the Congregational Pastors Package and $6,000 for enrollment in the Covenant Package.
The increased support and expanded eligibility for these programs represent the Board of Pensions’ ongoing commitment to those who serve the Church.
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