DALLAS, Tx.—Wednesday (December 10), the House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Clergy Act, H.R. 227, in a bipartisan, unanimous vote. The Clergy Act would provide ministers who opted out of Social Security a one-time window to opt back in. The bipartisan legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by California Congressmen Vince Fong and Mike Thompson, and has gained the support of several co-sponsors.
The legislation is supported by GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention and other leaders from a wide variety of large and historic denominational benefit boards.
In a news release issued by Rep. Fong’s office, GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck expressed gratitude to Fong for his leadership.
“At GuideStone we believe this is a positive step honoring those who faithfully serve in our churches and communities by helping them prepare for a more secure future,” Dilbeck said.
The Clergy Act would create a two-year window beginning in 2029 that would allow eligible ministers who have opted out of Social Security to revoke their exemption and begin contributing. Ministers must still meet the standard 10-year contribution requirement to earn full retired-worker benefits, receiving benefits proportional to their contributions.
The bill would require both the Internal Revenue System (IRS) and Social Security Administration to submit a plan to Congress outlining their strategy to inform ministers of their eligibility to re-enroll.
Many ministers, against their best interest, choose to opt out of Social Security often due to immediate financial concerns and inaccurate advice.
“Ministers who opt out of Social Security trade the short-term benefit of lower taxes for the security of ongoing retirement and insurance benefits, including benefits for their families should they die young,” Dilbeck said. “GuideStone supports this legislation and will work to inform our members and ministry partners of how to opt
back in should this legislation become law.”
GuideStone is developing a robust communication plan with helpful resources in anticipation of final passage of this legislation.
According to Fong’s office, the last time Congress offered an opt-in window for ministers who had previously opted out of Social Security was in 1999. Periodically, Congress has approved these limited re-enrollment windows with bipartisan
support.
Companion legislation has been proposed in the U.S. Senate with Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan as co-sponsors.
