Not Just for Pastors: Pension Fund Membership for Lay Employees

This article was originally published in the Spring 2026 Bridge Magazine.

For over a century, Pension Fund of the Christian Church has extended its services beyond clergy to include lay employees in Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement-affiliated churches, universities, colleges, seminaries, benevolent care, and mission-related nonprofit organizations. This mission began in 1895 when A.M. Atkinson, a lay member of Rev. Ira Chase's congregation in Wabash, Indiana, proposed a collection to support Mrs. Rhoda Jane Castle Chase and her four children after Rev. Chase’s death. This gesture marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition of supporting those who serve within the Stone-Campbell (Restoration) tradition.

Pension Fund has grown over the years to serve a diverse range of individuals, from missionaries and university presidents to CEOs and church secretaries. While many associate church ministry with clergy, it is the lay employees—office staff, maintenance workers, teachers, and volunteers—who are essential to the day-to-day operations of churches and nonprofit organizations. Pension Fund ensures that these employees have access to retirement benefits, offering security for their future and the ability to leave a legacy beyond their working years.

Many church leaders and employees are surprised to learn that lay employees can participate in Pension Fund’s retirement plans. They are eligible for employer contributions and can make their own elective deferrals into Pension Fund accounts. This includes participation in the Pension Plan, the Tax-Deferred Retirement Account 403(b)/Roth 403(b) (TDRA 403(b)/Roth 403(b)), and individual accounts like Traditional and Roth IRAs and the high-yield after-tax savings Benefit Accumulation Account (BAA). These benefits are available not only to full-time staff but also to part-time and hourly employees, including preschool teachers. Any employee of a Stone-Campbell (Restoration) Movement-affiliated 501(c)(3) organization can open a Pension Fund account. Even spouses of these employees can benefit from access to our IRA and BAA products.

To streamline enrollment, each participating church or organization must complete a Participation Agreement (PA), detailing eligible staff and contribution rates and/or amounts. The PA is a simple document to sign electronically, often within a few days, with help from Director of Client Relations Support, Kate Lanane, and the Client Relations team. If a church does not permit contributions to employer-sponsored accounts, providing access to individual accounts is important for employee wellness. This flexibility ensures all employees—full-time, part-time, or hourly—can build financial security for the future.

Offering retirement benefits has a positive impact on employee retention and satisfaction. A comprehensive package, like that provided by Pension Fund, encourages employees to stay longer, feel secure in their positions, and remain committed to their ministry and mission. Pension Fund’s accounts offer base interest rates, eligibility for Special Apportionments/Good Experience Credits, no fees deducted from account balances, and free benefits like Your Money Line, which incentivizes employees to save for their retirement and more.

At the heart of this initiative is our mission, For the Support of Ministry, acknowledging the critical roles played by both lay employees and clergy in living out the mission of churches and nonprofit organizations. Pension Fund is proud to be part of this sacred calling, offering a range of retirement savings options and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those who serve.