Jefferson Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2024 — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) have introduced the Clergy Act, a bipartisan initiative aimed at providing clergy members with the opportunity to opt back into Social Security coverage.

Senator Britt expressed her pride in leading this legislation alongside Senator Hassan, stating, "The Clergy Act is a commonsense measure that would ensure fairness and provide clergy members across our nation with the opportunity to plan for retirement after years of dedicated service to their congregations and communities."

Senator Hassan highlighted the role of clergy members in supporting communities and the importance of assisting them as they near retirement, saying, "Just as members of the clergy have supported our communities time and again, we must also support members of the clergy as they near retirement."

The Clergy Act seeks to address a longstanding issue where clergy members who opted out of Social Security coverage find themselves ineligible for benefits, a decision that some come to regret. The legislation would allow clergy members a re-enrollment window to opt back into Social Security coverage, provided they pay into the system for 40 quarters, equivalent to 10 years.

This bipartisan bill, originally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20), has gained endorsement from the Church Alliance. It aims to provide clergy members with the opportunity to better plan for their financial futures and retirement.

In the background of the Clergy Act, it is noted that Congress has previously allowed clergy members to opt back into Social Security coverage in 1977, 1986, and 1999 through various legislative acts, including the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.

For further details on the Clergy Act and its provisions, the full text of the bill can be accessed on the official website.