The Converge Retirement Plan has helped Converge pastors, church staff and commissioned missionaries plan for their future and build added financial security for retirement. Unlike other plans, participants enjoy the benefit of lifetime income through a pension, continued housing allowance (even in retirement) and a defined contribution plan to build additional savings.

Converge has partnered with GuideStone to provide administrative services to the Converge Retirement Plan as well as offer faith-based investments for the defined contribution plan.

For more than 100 years, the heart of GuideStone's mission has always been serving those who serve the lord by serving over 250,000 members and 20,000 ministry partners, GuideStone provides retirement plans customized to help employees reach their individual financial goals.

Faith-based Investment Options: GuideStone has investment strategies that align with your Christian values.

Ministers’ Tax Benefits: The Converge Retirement Plan designates distributions as housing allowance in retirement for employees who qualify as Ministers for Tax Purposes.

Personalized Services: GuideStone's team of personal financial advisors is available to deliver customized advice to members — including asset allocation, contribution planning, gap analysis, Social Security maximization and more. Plus, GuideStone's Customer Solutions department of trained specialists is also available by phone or email Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT to assist you in secure, knowledgeable conversations.

Targeted Educational Resources: Access informative and timely employee resources. Employees can find personalized tools in their MyGuideStone^® accounts.

Ministerial Resources

Pension Plan:

• 6% required employer contribution
• 100% vesting on the employer contributions regardless of years of service
• Distribution options include single life or joint life pension annuities
• Housing allowance for retired ministers (within IRS limits)

Defined Contribution Plan:

• Employer and employee contributions are allowed in the plan
• 100% vesting on all contributions regardless of years of service
• Investment options include GuideStone’s faith-based funds and five Fidelity index funds
• Unlimited hardship withdrawals per plan year for participants less than age 59½ (must meet IRS requirements as a hardship)
• Unlimited in-service withdrawals from the plan for participants who are at least age 59½
• Distribution options of a single sum or systematic withdrawal payments after termination from service
• Spousal consent is required only for any beneficiary designation where the spouse is not the sole primary beneficiary. Spousal consent is not required for distributions.
• Housing allowance for retired ministers (within IRS limits)

Step 1:

• If you're ready to sign up: Click here to send an email to get started with the plan documentation.
• If you have questions before signing up: Schedule an appointment with Kent Gayle.
  
  Converge Church Plan Contact:
  Kent Gayle
  Book an Appointment
  (214) 720-2153
  Kent.Gayle@GuideStone.org

Step2 :

• After plan document completion, you will receive information in order to enroll eligible participants to begin employee contributions via the GuideStone Employee Access^® Program (EAP).