Meet the Client Relations Team | Rev. Thomas McCracken

Professional Background and Pension Fund

What is your job title/what territories do you serve?

I am Assistant Vice President for Client Relations and I work with members and employers in the Oklahoma and Southwest Regions of the Christian Church (inclusive of the states of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas).

What career path brought you to Pension Fund? Do you mind sharing more about your professional background?

Always wanting to help people, I couldn’t decide whether to do that in the contexts of law or church following college. So I ended up obtaining both law and seminary degrees, including law licensure in Texas (active) and Mississippi (inactive) as well as ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Professionally, I have worked in various places including local congregations, law practice, wealth management, and nonprofit fundraising. However, not until I joined Pension Fund just over five years ago have I been able to put all of my education and training to work in the same place and it has been the perfect setting—for both my ministerial call and professional passion.

What is your favorite thing about working at Pension Fund?

Every day is different! As a federally regulated industry new questions are always percolating and I enjoy exploring the intricacies to find answers and help our members and employers navigate participation. And I am surrounded by colleagues who share this commitment.

What do you wish every member knew about Pension Fund or our products and programs?

I refer to Pension Fund as a “unicorn” in the retirement savings industry. Pensions have virtually disappeared from the American retirement landscape, but our employers can still offer this incredible product to their employees. And the investment strategy for our defined-contributions products protects members from poor market performance. Almost nobody does this!

At Pension Fund, our mission is “For the Support of Ministry,” in your time at Pension Fund, do you have a moment or story of serving out our mission that has impacted you in a important or meaningful way?

I was a 20-year member of Pension Fund before I came to work here, and I was very naïve about my membership. So with my training and tools I am very passionate about informing every member—in every stage of their career—about the opportunities available with membership. This passion merged with our mission when I assisted a 70-year old minister in applying for retirement in the Pension Plan. After receiving his first pension payment he called wondering why his payment was much more than expected. I explained to him about the 30% increase to his earned pension credits because he worked until age 70, what we informally call the “late retirement bonus” and something he had never heard of before. Needless to say, he was amazed and incredibly grateful.

Preparing for General Assembly

What are you most looking forward to about General Assembly this year?

The Client Relations team remains incredibly busy in the Pension Fund booth, and I look forward to visiting with members and employer representatives in the Exhibit Hall. But in general I look forward to the “family reunion” aspect of General Assembly, seeing friends and colleagues from across the nation.

Do you have any plans to explore Memphis? Where?

I won’t venture far from the Pension Fund booth most days, and my wife, Lea, will also be attending, but similarly staffing the TCU booth. We are bringing our teenage daughters; and Lea’s parents, Mississippi Disciples, are attending their first General Assembly. So hopefully the grandparents can entertain their granddaughters at some of the attractions high on their list, including Graceland and the Lorraine Motel. Lea and I will join along if we can!

Four Fast Facts

If you gave a 10-minute TED Talk today, what would it be about?

All things DFW Airport—how to navigate it and why it’s the best.

What is one surprising fact others might not know about you?

I studied for a PhD for one year in the area of church-state studies.

What is your favorite thing to eat and/or cook and why?

I’m not much of a cook, but I can make breakfast; similarly, a classic diner breakfast is one of my favorite things to eat.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I really enjoy living in Fort Worth, but I would be happy to spend part of the year in Leadville, Colorado, the highest incorporated city in the United States, with lots of outdoor activities, spectacular views, and relaxed attitudes.