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Death and Disability Plan

The Death and Disability Plan enables employees to protect their income and their loved ones if the unexpected happens.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, death and disability benefits will be calculated using one median effective salary. Additionally, death benefits will increase, and the total Death and Disability Plan benefit will be increased from 60% to 70% of the member’s salary or the median salary, whichever is greater. Learn more about benefits enhancements for 2025.

The Death and Disability Plan provides employees with peace of mind and financial security in the event of total disability or death. By offering these comprehensive benefits, you can help your employees plan ahead and provide financial security for themselves and their families — when they would need it most.

The Board of Pensions self-funds the Death and Disability Plan, primarily from investments in the Balanced Investment Portfolio. The plan includes the following:

  • Death benefits. These benefits can play a critical role in making sure loved ones are financially protected in the event of a member’s death.
  • Disability benefits. When disability keeps an employee out of work for an extended period of time, this coverage provides a monthly payment generally equal to 60 percent of the member's effective salary.

Eligibility to participate

You may offer this coverage to employees with a regularly scheduled workweek of at least 20 hours. The plan is included in the Pastor's Participation and the Minister's Choice benefits packages.

Costs for employers

The Death and Disability Plan is paid 100 percent by the employer. Dues for this coverage are 1 percent of effective salary if offered with Defined Benefit Pension Plan enrollment, or 2.5 percent of effective salary if offered without the Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

Interested in offering death and disability coverage? Here's what to do next.

For current employers

If you currently offer benefits through the Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you may elect this benefit when you update your Employer Agreement on Benefits Connect for the following year. Employer Agreements are usually available for updating beginning in July through October.

For new employers

If you do not currently offer benefits through the Benefits Plan and would like to learn more about its features and how the Board of Pensions serves employers, call our Employer Services team at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) (TTY: 711) to discuss how we can best meet your and your employees' needs.

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