At GuideStone®, we’re committed to helping you understand the importance of opting into Social Security under this new legislation. We will continue to update this webpage with further details as additional guidance becomes available.
The Clergy Act is receiving bipartisan support, and GuideStone is advocating for its passage this year. This legislation would establish a two-year window for ministers who previously opted out of Social Security to opt back in. This unique opportunity has not been available for several decades.
If the Clergy Act passes, ministers who previously opted out can choose this irrevocable election back into Social Security and Medicare. Based upon the proposed draft of the Clergy Act, ministers won’t be able to adjust tax withholding to backdate any years of missed Social Security taxation. But upon opting back in, they will begin to pay SECA tax and work toward accumulating 10 years of eligible service to become eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits.
This video summarizes the key considerations about opting back into Social Security.
Visit the Ministerial Resources Center for more resources to help answer common financial, benefit and tax-related questions and issues for ministers.
Without Social Security, these benefits may not be available to you and your loved ones.
GuideStone will be available to guide you as you consider whether to enroll in Social Security. That includes helping you optimize your retirement regarding the unique opportunity this new legislation presents. We will update this webpage with further details as additional guidance becomes available.
For a more comprehensive look at this legislation, please visit Congress.gov.