Transitional Pastor’s Participation
Transitional Pastor’s Participation continues the benefits and noncontributory dues structure of Pastor’s Participation as a percentage of effective salary through Dec. 31, 2027, subject to cost increases.
Transitional Pastor’s Participation has been extended through 2029 for ministers already enrolled in this package. Read more about this dues subsidy:
Who’s eligible
This package was available to congregational pastoral leaders in Pastor’s Participation as of Dec. 31, 2024, to transition to the dues structure introduced in the 2025 Benefits Plan. Installed pastors in this package will be enrolled in the Congregational Pastors Package beginning Jan. 1, 2028. Employers may offer the Congregational Pastors Package to those enrolled in Transitional Pastor’s Participation before 2028 when making their benefit selections for the 2026 or 2027 plan year.
Cost
Dues for Transitional Pastor’s Participation are paid entirely by the congregation or employer. Dues are the percentage of
effective salary for medical coverage detailed in the chart below, plus 10% of effective salary.
| Year | Dues | Minimum dues | Maximum dues |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33% | $15,000 | $43,000 |
| 2026 | 37% | $18,500 | $50,000 |
| 2027* | No less than 41% | $21,600 | $57,000 |
| *Rates are minimums subject to future Board of Directors approval. | |||
What’s included
Employer-paid benefits
Transitional Pastor’s Participation includes the following benefits:
- Medical Plan, Member + Family coverage
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan, providing guaranteed monthly income throughout retirement
- Death and Disability Plan, offering peace of mind and income security
- Temporary Disability Plan, providing partial income to employees if they become unable to work because of a short-term sickness or injury
Benefits eligible for cost-sharing
Employers must also offer the following benefits to ministers enrolled in Transitional Pastor’s Participation. They may, but are not required to, contribute to the cost:
- Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),* helping participants build savings and achieve long-term retirement goals
- Dental Plan, providing coverage for a wide range of basic and major services and orthodontic treatment
- Vision Plan, providing an annual vision exam and coverage for eyeglasses and contacts
- supplemental death benefits, providing additional benefits to those offered through the Death and Disability Plan
*An employer matching contribution to the Retirement Savings Plan is not considered part of effective salary.
Optional benefit offerings
Employers may choose to offer two types of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to congregational pastoral leaders in Transitional Pastor’s Participation:
Assistance and education programs
To nurture ministry, Benefits Plan members, including those enrolled in Transitional Pastor’s Participation, gain access to Board of Pensions programs that cultivate their wholeness:
- Lifelong Learning, including CREDO for eligible ministers, supporting members at specific stages of their life, career, or ministry
-
Assistance Program grants, providing financial assistance to eligible members